Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3766 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-08-03
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 141 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The corsets and high waists of the 19th century meet the lush colors and visual splendor of India in Vanity Fair, a classic novel translated into modern celluloid by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding). The very contemporary Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde, Election) 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 Vanity Fair 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. --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com

Synopsis
Reese Witherspoon is surprisingly effective as Becky Sharp in Mira Nair's lush adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel of Victorian England, Vanity Fair. Nair, known for such films as Salaam Bombay! Mississippi Masala, and Monsoon Wedding, tells the compelling story of a young orphan girl, Sharp, who attempts to rise above her station in very class-conscious British society. Sharp enters this very rich and rigid world as a governess who captures the heart of Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy), who chooses love over the family fortune, a financial decision that could potentially doom the relationship. Meanwhile, her best friend, Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai), lets true love slip right through her fingers. As war rages on against Napoleon and the French, Sharp continues her ascension, though she's met by naysayers and gossipmongers every step of the way. Nair has put together a terrific cast, including Gabriel Byrne, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Douglas Hodge, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, and Rhys Ifans. Natasha Little, who played Becky Sharp in a 1999 BBC miniseries, appears here as Lady Jane, and Eileen Atkins is hysterical as Miss Matilda Crawley. Splendid costumes, beautiful locations (including Hampton Court Gardens and India), high-quality acting, and gorgeous music combine to make this a worthy version of a classic tale about a feminist ahead of her time.

Customer Reviews

All That Glitters...
Just watched the movie version of Vanity Fair and drew the following conclusions.

It bears little resemblance to the excellent BBC version of some years ago.For one thing; the main character(Becky Sharp) has been
sanatised out of all proportions. Indeed; it would appear she's been elevated to the rank of Sainthood by the film's Director!

Most of the male leads have little to do except appear as "male totty" for the ladies to admire. The actor playing Captain Dobbin
(a pivitol character) gives a very wooden performance throughout the film.

However:
I found the best way to approach the film, was to view it as a
big budget version of a Catherine Cookson story.Indeed; the first
15 minutes of the film give this feeling(including the flowery
musical soundtrack)....so: going on this assumption; the movie is
a great vehicle for Reece Witherspoon(who outacts everyone else).

The settings are elaborate and very colourful. There's a running
Indian theme thoughout the film which is reflected in some of the
costumes...I felt that the movies strongest point was way it assaults your eyes..
And of course,it has a happy ending (it actually has 2 happy endings!). As I said before, If you like Catherine Cookson you'll
love this film.

But: if it's the story of Vanity Fair you want,read the book or
get the BBC version.

Glossy but boring -- changed the ending to make it Hollywood
Oh my, I wish I hadn't wasted neigh on two hours of my life to watch this. I love Reese Witherspoon and really do want her to make a good movie. But this isn't it.

Good points first -- beautiful! Visual stunner of a film, thanks to the director of photography, set designer, costume designer, make-up people... anyone who had anything to do with the visuals gets a thumbs up.

Bad points -- the director plays it safe and, therefore, everything is boring. This is supposed to be a stinging story about one of literatures most notorious social climbers. This woman is supposed to be the original material girl, serious bad news, out for herself, character you love to hate and hate that you love her. But not in this glossy film. Reese is sweet as pie and they had to change the ending so that we can have a Hollywood/Disney photo op to close out on. Ugghhh!

Well, I hear there is a BBC version out there that I might give a try.

Read the book first
This film looks gorgeous and I think Nair has stuck faithfully to the tone of the story in all but one respect - the character of Becky.
She seems to wish to soften her up a bit from the Thackery depiction of her character - to make her more sympathetic. The Becky Sharp of the book was a more dauntless and unprincipaled adventuress and I feel that Nair has not allowed Witherspoon (usually so good at comedy) a chance to really go to town in this role.
She seems far more an innocent victim of Lord Steyne (for eg) than an amoral manipulater who's only real regret is that she is found out, which is much more the feeling I got from Thackery. Don't get me wrong, I think we are menat ot sympathise with her -I did in the book because it's hard not to sympathise with somone who is so determined and dauntless.
But in any case this was very watchable and fun and I would highly recommend it to anyone - but I would also read the book first.