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?

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Plot Keywords:

estate | female nudity | unhappy marriage | tango | fox hunt | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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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:

19 June 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Buenas costumbres

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£341,099 (United Kingdom), 9 November 2008, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$143,038, 24 May 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,656,324, 4 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

During the end credits all of the musicians who played in the orchestra featured on the soundtrack are introduced in voice-over simulating the introductions from the bandstand of a live performance, with each musician playing a brief sample.

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Goofs

While in the nursery, John refers to something not scoring Larita any "brownie points." This phrase did not originate until the 1960s.

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Quotes

Mrs. Whittaker: What am I supposed to do with this bauble of a woman?
Mr. Whittaker: Hang her?

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Version of La comedia: Fácil virtud (1983)

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Soundtracks

You Do Something to Me
Written by Cole Porter
Published by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Licensed courtesy of Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
Performed by Sean Palmer with The Easy Virtue Orchestra

User Reviews

Easy Virtue - easy on the eyes - a charming and crafted film

It is not uncommon in a film to see British "stiff upper lip" challenged and outflanked by an outsider - normally an American. As a Brit you learn to put aside any feelings of protectiveness and sensitivity and try to give the film it's fair credit when such a story is presented to you.

In the case of this film - Easy Virtue - this is not difficult to do as it is a well acted gem of a period piece that overcomes any of the initial worries about stereotypes and charms and amuses all the way through.

Kirstin Scott Thomas is superb as the glacial matriarch, Colin Firth detached and louche as her distant husband, Jessica Biel believable as the breath of fresh air ( gust of cold wind ) introduced into the family by the eager but naive son.

Kris Marshall gives an amusing performance as the world weary - seen it all butler and as a whole this is a good enjoyable film.

Taken as it is from a Noel Coward play, I am not sufficiently qualifies to comment on how much , or little, the film has changed the spirit of the play - I suspect not a lot as Mr Coward delighted in ridiculing the sensibilities of the British gentry and if the stiff upper lip is going to be ridiculed by anyone better that it is a Brit !!