Directed by:
Stephan ElliottCinematography:
Martin KenzieComposer:
Marius De VriesCast:
Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Christian Brassington, Charlotte Riley (more)Plots(1)
Easy Virtue marks the much-anticipated return of Australian director Stephan Elliott. Adapted from the 1924 Noël Coward play, Elliott's version retains the essential qualities of the original - a deliciously funny comedy of manners - while making it relevant to a contemporary audience. Late 1920s England. Young upper-class John Whittaker (Ben Barnes) returns home from holiday married to the wrong sort of girl. Larita (Jessica Biel) is a widow and a racing car driver, sophisticated, fiercely independent and - gasp! - American. John's frosty mother Veronica (Kristin Scott Thomas) is horrified, his father Jim (Colin Firth) enthralled, and his sisters are first delighted with, then despairing, of the new addition to the family. Pretty soon the battle lines are drawn. While Jim sees a kindred spirit, Veronica and her two daughters do all they can to sabotage the marriage. Larita does her best to ingratiate herself, but the gloves soon come off, with the only question being whether Larita and John's love is strong enough to withstand the onslaught.
Easy Virtue is effervescent entertainment featuring superbly playful and biting dialogue, lavish period detail, a wicked soundtrack and wonderful performances. Biel and Barnes exude both youthful passion and sharp-witted street smarts. Scott Thomas and Firth let loose trading delicious, sly one-liners, while also finding intriguing depth and real dimension in their characters. Elliott portrays a crumbling English aristocracy with verve bordering on glee, bringing his own wit and style to this sparkling confection. What results is a film that is as clever and funny as it is artfully crafted.
(Roadshow Entertainment)
Cast
Jessica Biel
USA
Best movies:
The Illusionist (2006)
The A-Team (2010)
Powder Blue (2009)
Ben Barnes
UK
Best movies:
Stardust (2007)
Sons of Liberty (2015) (series)
The Words (2012)
Kristin Scott Thomas
UK
Best movies:
Bitter Moon (1992)
I've Loved You So Long (2008)
The English Patient (1996)
Colin Firth
UK
Best movies:
The King's Speech (2010)
Love Actually (2003)
Conspiracy (2001) (TV movie)
Kimberley Nixon
UK
Best movies:
Cranford (2007) (series)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) (series)
Katherine Parkinson
UK
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
Jonathan Creek (1997) (series)
The Boat That Rocked (2009)
Kris Marshall
UK
Best movies:
Love Actually (2003)
Death at a Funeral (2007)
Doctor Zhivago (2002) (TV movie)
Christian Brassington
UK
Best movies:
Easy Virtue (2008)
Fisherman's Friends (2019)
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Charlotte Riley
UK
Best movies:
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Wuthering Heights (2009) (TV movie)
Inspector George Gently (2007) (series)
Georgie Glen
UK
Best movies:
Jonathan Creek (1997) (series)
Wives and Daughters (1999) (series)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Pip Torrens
UK
Best movies:
The Remains of the Day (1993)
War and Peace (2016) (series)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Jim McManus
USA
Best movies:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Sharpe's Siege (1996) (TV movie)
Murder by Decree (1979)
Joanna Bacon
Best movies:
Love Actually (2003)
Wallander (2008) (series)
RocknRolla (2008)