VANITY FAIR
With all things period at the height of fashion, there's no better time for the film adaptation of Vanity Fair starring the ever-bubbly Reese Witherspoon in the main role as Becky Sharp. Her poor background as the orphan of an alcoholic painter doesn't stop her from climbing the social ladder along with her friend Amelia (Romola Garai), hiding her ambition and determination behind a cheery and optimistic exterior.
 Becky leaves her finishing school to work as a governess, but she knows that above everything else, she wants to marry well. But how long before she gets into trouble and is caught out? She manages to marry into a rich family but her husband is a gambler and, as the second son, will inherit nothing of worth. She soon encounters the Marquess of Steyne (Gabriel Byrne) who remembers Becky from her poorer days. His motives to help her when her gambler husband loses everything, are somewhat questionable. The characters interact beautifully and the verbal abuse which fills the conversation is brilliant, giving a truer picture of the social set-up of the time.
 Director Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) has adapted William Makepeace Thackeray's 19th century English novel with style, grace and wit, and the breadth and scale of activity fill the film with an irresistible buzz. In fact, Becky is slightly more likeable than the novel's character and Reese Witherspoon's on-screen charm certainly plays a factor in this. It's an enjoyable and intelligently-made film with plenty to offer in the way of humour, drama and good film-making.
Vanity Fair will be released on Friday 14 January 2005.
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