EASY VIRTUE: REVIEW
This
is a light-hearted and funny audience pleaser based on a stage play by British
literary legend Noel Coward. Most of the action takes place almost exclusively
at the home of the Whittaker family and what a lovely sprawling estate it is.
The magnificent Kristin Scott Thomas dominates the story as the lady of the house,
Mrs Whittaker. She's smart, sassy, abrupt, and icy all at once. She simply can't
wait to welcome home her prodigal son John from a trip to Monte Carlo. To everyone's
surprise upon his return, John brings back a highly unsuitable new bride in tow,
an American!
Mrs Whittaker's stiff upper lip starts to shudder
when she meets Larita, a platinum blonde racing car driver from Detroit who was
swept off her feet by John after she won the Monte Carlo grand prix. Cry's of
'oohh you're American', ring through the mansion in total British disdain. Dinner
time provides some gloriously witty one-liners amongst the tinkling of the silver
spoons in their mouths.
Mr Whittaker (Colin Firth) skulks around
in the background leaving his opinionated wife to do all the complaining until,
in the final 15 minutes of the film, his character takes the foreground delighting
in ridiculing the sensibilities of the upper class British for which he is a part
of. The ladies in the audience will swoon once more for Mr Darcey as Colin gives
another typical gentlemanly performance.
Directed by Australian
Stephan Elliott, the filmmaker predominately known for the hit, 'Priscilla Queen
of the Desert' and the so bad it's good 'Eye of the Beholder', he has made an
enjoyable glossy romp amusing all the way through.
Undeniably
beautiful and looking perfect in the art deco costumes of the era, acting in something
unlike she has ever done before, Jessica Biel gives Larita a perky existence.
She is centre stage for many of the pratfalls and slapstick moments rebounding
off the cynical family around her. Unfortunately however, the spark between her
and John seems non-existent. With zero rapport, their love for each other doesn't
ring true. Ben Barnes, last seen battling evil as Prince Caspian, plays John.
He's an odd choice, looks handsome enough, but is truly boring. Only pepping up
his aristocrat delusions when he breaks out into random songs on occasion at the
piano. Filling out the cast is underused Kris Marshall ('Love Actually') as the
world weary, seen it all, dedicated butler with wise comment on hand for any situation.
Stephan Elliot's directional stamp is all over this film,
from flamboyancy to contemporary songs such as 'Car Wash' and 'Sex Bomb' reworked
to suit the period. Not perfect but a lot of uncomplicated fun.
Shane
A. Bassett
