FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Vanity Fair [DVD] [2004]

Vanity Fair [DVD] [2004]
enlarge	Director: Mira Nair Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Eileen Atkins, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne, Romola Garai Studio: Uca Category: DVD List Price: ~~£9.99~~ Buy Used: £0.69 as of 20/11/2009 22:07 GMT details You Save: £9.30 (93%) New (8) Used (21) Collectible (1) from £0.69 Seller: zoverstocks Rating: 22 reviews Sales Rank: 6856 Format: Anamorphic, PAL Languages: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Original Language) Rating: Parental Guidance Region: 2 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 141 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3 Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 EAN: 5050582321760 ASIN: B0009F68AM Theatrical Release Date: 2004 Release Date: August 3, 2009 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: Marie Antoinette [DVD] [2006] Vanity Fair [DVD] Elvis - The Early Years [DVD] [2005] Little Ashes [DVD] [2008] Stage Beauty [DVD] [2004]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review The corsets and high waists of the 19th century meet the lush colors and visual splendor of India in iVanity Fair/i, a classic novel translated into modern celluloid by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding). The very contemporary Reese Witherspoon (iLegally Blonde/i, iElection/i) at first seems to hit the wrong note as Becky Sharp, an orphaned girl who rises to the heights of society using her quick wits and feminine wiles. But as iVanity Fair/i unfolds, the movie's tone embraces both period decor and modern attitudes, searching for a bridge that will carry us more deeply into a different time. It isn't wholly successful--the movie's end wraps things up awkwardly--but some scenes achieve a surprising and vivid immediacy, in particular one in which Becky's gambler husband (elegant James Purefoy) catalogues his worth for her before going off to the Napoleonic battlefields; love and pragmatism fuse with heartbreaking results. i--Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com/i

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 22 1 2 3 4 5 Next » Some of the Parts.... October 13, 2007 A. Wyatt 4 out of 4 found this review helpful This is a highly enjoyable costume drama. Solely as a film it is better than average. As a vehicle for a large number of very skilled actors it is outstanding. Witherspoon is more than competent, delivering the leading role with skill. The rest of the cast also turn in highly entertaining performances. James Purefoy is more than a foil for the Hollywood leading lady, he has merely to twitch his face for us to realise his moral frailty. Bob Hoskins is the the happy curmudgeon, Eileen Atkins thrills as the rich and terrifying aunt, Geraldine McEwan plays the other aunt as court jester (this aunt is much more intelligent than her family assume), Jonathan Rhys Meyers could not be more self-absorbed as George Osborne, and Douglas Hodge slums as the apparently dull dutiful son, delivering amusement with looks of mild surprise. Jim Broadbent, as ever, adds great value to proceedings. Gabriel Byrne exudes intent from afar in the first half of the film and is suitably disconcerting as he moves into the foreground in the latter part of the film. And finally Tony Maudsley tops and tails the film as the completely amiable Jos Sedley. Aside from the strong performances the references to India add vitality though there is, as with the Passage to India, a sense of mutual imcomprehension in the encounter. The film as a whole makes for fine entertainment. The individual parts are even more interesting. The Unsinkable Becky Sharp April 30, 2006 Kona (Emerald City) 8 out of 13 found this review helpful As the story opens in London in 1802, we meet little Becky Sharp, a poor but spirited little girl. She is soon orphaned and sent to be a servant in a posh girls' school. She acquires a good education and is determined to climb the social ladder, starting as a governess, then marrying a promising Army officer. She spends the next twenty years relentlessly pursuing her dream of being a lady. br / br /This movie is beautiful and lavish, everything that a good period piece should be. I haven't read the book, so I just enjoyed the movie for itself. Reese Witherspoon does a great job with the English accent and plays the Scarlet O'Hara-ish Becky with loads of charm and brains. She really is irresistible as well as formidable, and gives an Oscar-worthy performance. The costumes and sets are opulent, with lots of striking orange fabrics. br / br /There are plenty of ups and downs for Becky and the plot is never dull. I love period movies and this one had all the required triumphs and tragedies,romance and spectacle, to make it very satisfying. Period piece March 22, 2008 G. J. Weeks (London) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful It shows the vanity and hypocrisy of England 200 years ago. Strange but becky seemed to have the secret of eternal youth never ageing in the film once she was adult. Nice to have no bad language nor explicit sex. Visually Sumptious, both highly educating and entertaining!! July 12, 2005 9 out of 21 found this review helpful At first i thought this was a bit of a girlie movie, and got it out to watch on my own. I was astonished by it. Reese Witherspoon, (who frankly does not do herself justice on Legally Blande)proved herself a formidable actress supported by many other favourites including bob hoskins and Rhys Ifans. If you dont enjoy this movie, its likely to be a lack of culture and interest on your part than through any fault of the movie. It twists and turns throughout the plot and had me hurting with laughter at the articulate quips and crying pathetically for the heartbreaking twists. The costumes, sets and portrayal is sumptious to say the least and the director outdoes most films of similar genre. I cannot recommend this film highly enough, however unless you are personally articulate and reasonally cultured,(that cuts out most of the UK sadly) i wouldnt bother as you wont understand it. A beautiful mix of history,Literature, satire and humour. Enjoy!! vanity fairest! May 7, 2009 Fozzie Green (Sunny Wales!) i had been doubtful that a southern belle could play an englishwoman convincingly, but was wrong - reese witherspoon is wonderful as becky sharp in the most colourful, inspiring version of vanity fair. br / br /the marvellous cast, direction,lighting, scenery and props all fuse perfectly into a film which delights the visual senses and transports the viewer to the time and place. br / br /brilliant!! br / Showing reviews 1-5 of 22 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.