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Easy Virtue
At
first sight, Easy Virtue looks like another stodgy period drama
complete with contrived dialogue; overacted caricatures and actors
playing characters that are clearly younger than themselves. But once
beyond the tedious parody of aristocratic life exhibited in the first
act, something rather unexpected happens: as the comic farce is
ratcheted down and the drama is shifted up a notch, Stephen Elliot's
adaptation of Noel Coward's 1925 play stealthily turns into something
thoroughly enjoyable, exhibiting bucket loads of playful charm. Never
is this more evident than in Colin Firth's subtle, beguiling
performance that begins in the realm of the banal but comes to full
affectionate fruition by the end. However, not even Firth's performance
can take away from the fact that this is the Jessica Biel show; her
standout performance is a complex one exhibiting perfect comedic timing
and is easily her best role yet.
Director, Stephen
Elliot (who hasn't had a hit since The Adventures Of Priscilla: Queen
Of The Desert) clearly has a lot of enthusiasm for the material. The
film is very playfully shot with its little quirks in the photography
including layered transitions and extensive use of mirrored images.
Elliot also takes great creative license in his choice and manipulation
of the soundtrack, which includes riotous ragtime renditions of popular
songs such as Rose Royce's Car Wash, Tom Jones' Sex Bomb and Billy Ocean's When The Going Gets Tough.
Elliot's introductory transition from 20's to modern cinema is also a
nice touch as the image moves from full frame to widescreen to
cinemascope, the onscreen curtains widening with each ratio change.
After a faltering start, Easy Virtue inexplicably transforms into one of the more enjoyable movies this year thus far.
Stuart Jamieson
official website
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