MOVIE REVIEW FOR "VANITY FAIR" STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON, JAMES PUREFOY, AND
JONATHAN RHYS-MEYERS

This is a sterling example of how the first half of a film can differ
considerably from the last half of a film. In fact, I would venture to say that
"Vanity Fair" is the only film in the history of international cinema to do so
in such an unpleasing and dissatisfying manner. The bottom line is -- while the
first half of this film is a cinematic triumph, the last half is a journey into
the mundane, ridiculous, and disappointing. So, how does a film take such a
drastic U-turn? Don't blame it on the cast and don't blame it on the
director...blame it on the script. Well, I guess you can blame the director a
little as well.

Reese Witherspoon (in her best performance to date) stars as Rebecca Sharp.
After her artist father dies, she goes to stay at a girls' school, where she
learns to speak fluent French and gathers a considerable amount of worldy
knowledge. The fact is that she is twice as smart as most of her male
counterparts. Romola Garai co-stars As Amelia, Becky's best friend and
companion. Becky first goes with Amelia, to her home, where she meets her
parents and George (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), Amelia's boyfriend and future
husband. Eventually, Becky leaves and them and goes to work for Sir Pitt
Crawley (Bob Hoskins) and his family, who are all plotting to suck up to wicked
and vicious Aunt Matilda (Eileen Atkins) so they will be left her vast fortune.
There she meets Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy). They quickly fall in love and
are married, as are George and Amelia. Both the wives of soldiers, the story
shifts just a bit to feature Rawdon and George attempting to break into the up!
per class social circles, while also going off to defend their country.
Co-stars include Jim Broadbent as George's merchant father, Rhys Ifans as
George's best friend and secret admirer of Amelia, and Gabriel Byrne as The
Marquess of Steyne, a collector of Becky's fathers artwork.

The film turns to shyte at the precise moment of Gabriel Byrne's character
re-entering the story. Once he is introduced, what was once a thriving motion
picture of love, tragedy, and comedy turns into one ridiculous scene after
another. And this is not Byrne's fault -- he gives a terrific and villainous
performance. Blame the script and blame the director. Towards the end of the
film, when Rawdon catches Becky and the Marquess of Steyne in a compromising
situation, most people would certainly think that he overreacts to a spectacular
degree. And, when he discovers the money hidden in the desk drawer, he
overreacts to a more astonishing degree. It would seem that his character is
just as greedy and rotten as all of the others, that he would allow his marriage
to end over money. I think that is what makes the film so displeasing at the
end -- all of these characters we have grown to admire and enjoy turn quickly
into power hungry monsters. Sure, we have been able to se!
e them progress towards this, but I guess it all just hits too hard at once.

I also disliked the fact that the most interesting sub-plots were not given
enough attention. I thought Rhys Ifans was extraordinary in his role, and
deserves Academy Award consideration. I wanted to know more about his love for
Amelia and I wanted to see their romance bloom. I also wanted to see more about
the father/son relationship between George and his father. Jim Broadbent also
deserves Academy Award consideration for this role, one of his most enjoyable
since "Moulin Rouge". Not to mention, it is always a treat to see the gorgeous
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers on screen, no matter what the role. The remainder of the
supporting cast is just as exceptional; as I said earlier, the cast is not the
problem. Blame the script and blame the director.

Overall, I have to say I cannot recommend this film, for the sole reason that
the last half of the film is atrocious. Reese Witherspoon and James Purefoy
turn into walking monsters before out very eyes, and they even seemed worse to
me that Gabriel Byrne's character. He at least knew that he was cruel, as he
even goes so far as to tell Reese Witherspoon on once occasion. Had more
attention been paid to the plots we enjoyed and less attention paid to the plots
we did not, "Vanity Fair" might have been one of the best films of the year.
All we can do now is watch the finished product, think to ourselves 'how in the
hell did this happen', and send angry letters to Mira Nair, the director, and
the screenwriters -- both sets of them. Wait until video...but do see this film
for some fantastic performances.

Reese Witherspoon (Becky Sharp)
James Purefoy (Rawdon Crawley)
Romola Garai (Amelia Sedley)
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (George Osborne)
Gabriel Byrne (Marquess of Steyne)
Jim Broadbent (Mr. Osborne)
Rhys Ifans (William Dobbin)
Eileen Atkins (Matilda Crawley)
Bob Hoskins (Sir Pitt Crawley)

Director: Mira Nair

RATED PG-13

TWO POPS

Billy Ray