One of those movies where the orchestration between casting, scenery, costuming, and soundtrack was absolutely perfect.
I had some fun at the movies this week. Easy Virtue is British Wit, but also Brideshead Revisited-lite, for your consideration.
John (Ben Barnes) is bringing home his American wife, Larita (Jessica Biel) for the first time after their affairs and such on the Cote d’Azur. The Matriarchal area (Kristin Scott Thomas) of his family is greatly displeased with his floozy and spends the rest of the film trying to convince them to get a divorce. What adds a dramatic layer is the Whittaker father, Jim (Colin Firth) who deftly proclaims himself as part of the Lost Generation from World War I and who never wanted to return to the family estate. While the rest of the family is putting Larita in the deep freeze, she hits it off with Jim who understands what the outsider position in that family really means.
The whole thing screams “BRITISH!” from the rooftops, from the setting to the British Wit dialogue. I don’t know why, but the Butler character, who is hilarious in dry humor, also seems very British to me. Dry humored butler character… anyone see where I’m coming from with this?
The entirety of the film is about stagnation versus change during the tumultous 1920s. While Larita and Jim represent changing attitudes and moralities, the rest of the Whittaker family represent the old norms, going as far back as using marriage to save the family lands. This comes to a climax at a New Year’s Ball and a sensual tango between Larita and Jim.
I think my only problem during the film was that I got distracted by myself. Drinking coffee during a movie is not the best of ideas, the caffeine leaving me scatterbrained. Whenever another member of the audience did anything, my attention shifted. So here’s a lesson, ladies and gents: Caffeine and focus during a movie are not mutual acquaintances.
In terms of cast, I really liked everyone. Except for Ben Barnes as the clueless Whittaker son/recent groom. I don’t know why, but his performance was kind of take it or leave it, most likely just the fault of his character. I came for Colin Firth, but was really impressed by Jessica Biel. She gives a great perfomance throughout the film, funny and tragic in all of the right points.
One Last Note:
Love the motorcycle scene during the Hunt.
