Easy Virtue (2008)

A young Englishman marries a glamorous American. When he brings her home to meet the parents, she arrives like a blast from the future - blowing their entrenched British stuffiness out the window.

Director:

Stephan Elliott

Writers:

Stephan Elliott, Sheridan Jobbins,

Stars:

Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Biel	...	Larita Whittaker
Ben Barnes	...	John Whittaker
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Veronica Whittaker
Colin Firth	...	Mr. Whittaker
Kimberley Nixon	...	Hilda Whittaker
Katherine Parkinson	...	Marion Whittaker
Kris Marshall	...	Furber
Christian Brassington	...	Phillip Hurst
Charlotte Riley	...	Sarah Hurst
Jim McManus	...	Jackson
Pip Torrens	...	Lord Hurst
Jeremy Hooton	...	Davis
Joanna Bacon	...	Cook / Doris / Beatrice
Maggie Hickey	...	Millie the Maid
Georgie Glen	...	Mrs. Landrigin

Storyline

Between world wars, the Whittaker's estate is sinking; only the iron will of Mrs. Whittaker staves off bankruptcy while she awaits her son John's return from the continent. To her dismay, he brings a bride: an American widow who races cars. The bride, Larita, thinks she and John will visit and then go to London, where he'll work and she'll race. But John is to the manor born, and mother is nothing if not a master at plans and manipulation. Soon it's all-out war between mother and bride, with John's father, a burnt out veteran of the Great War, in the bride's corner ineffectually. Mother has a plan to join with the neighboring estate; only Larita is in her way. Can't we all get along?

---

Plot Keywords:

estate | american | manipulation | billiards | audience | 

---

Taglines:

In a family that prides itself as proper, vice becomes a virtue.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief partial nudity, and smoking throughout

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English French

Release Date:

7 November 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Buenas costumbres

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$143,038 (USA) (22 May 2009)

Gross:

$2,656,324 (USA) (2 October 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios, Fragile Films, Endgame Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though not expressly stated, the story gives the impression that Larita is somewhat older than John (she repeated refers to him as a boy). In fact, Jessica Biel is actually younger than Ben Barnes by several months.

---

Goofs

The film uses the song "Let's Misbehave" in a lot of sequences. The film is set in 1924 (when the play came out) but the song came out only in 1927.

---

Quotes

Mrs. Whittaker: Smile, Marion.
Marion Whittaker: I don't feel like smiling.

---

Crazy Credits

The band playing the closing music calls out its members' names.

---

Connections

Version of Easy Virtue (1928)

---

Soundtracks

"Car Wash"
Written by Norman Whitfield (as Nick Whitfield)
Published by Universal / MCA Music Ltd. (BMI)
Licensed courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
Performed by Andy Caine with The Easy Virtue Orchestra

User Reviews

Brilliant from start to finish

From the flamboyant director of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, this sublime adaptation of Noel Coward's tragic-comic play zings with dazzling wit and impeccable timing delivered by acting of the highest order. Who knew Jessica Biel could be so delicious as the American interloping fallen woman? Among the British stars, Colin Firth provides the counterpoint gravitas as a WWI surviving member of the "lost generation" who turns the tables on his insufferable wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) and besotted son. Easily one of the most entertaining movies of the past several years, it deserved the genuine spontaneous standing ovation at the world premiere screening I attended at the Toronto film festival. Scott Thomas is devastating in a totally different French-speaking role in "I've loved you for so long", for which she deserves an Oscar nomination. But see this for arch Brit humor at its finest.