Very disappointing...

The greatest movie ever!

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Growing up poor in London, Becky Sharp defies her poverty-stricken background and ascends the social ladder alongside her best friend, Amelia. Vanity Fair (2004) stars Reese Witherspoon, Romola Garai, James Purefoy, Rhys Ifans, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Gabriel Byrne and Robert Pattinson (Deleted Scene). Now this kind of movies are usually not my thing and unfortunately this wasn't a good movie at all. The movie is so much Shakespeare with people over reacting in every scene and those annoying accents? Jeez i like Reese as an actress especially in Water for Elephants but damn the film was a giant mess, boring and the director could easily cut 30-35 minutes. (0/10)

First things off, the book is such a wonderful work, however it is also a mammoth and sprawling one. The film is a valiant attempt but doesn't work entirely. It does have some good points, especially the luscious cinematography, sets, costumes and location work, and the superb support playing of Bob Hoskins, Eileen Atkins, Rhys Ifans and Jim Broadbent, while most of the music was a delight to listen to and there are moments of well-written dialogue. However, there are other moments of dialogue that don't ring true, especially with that of the lead character. Reese Witherspoon does try very hard in the role, but, more the fault of the writers, she comes across as too charming and too likable. The story doesn't seem to have a structure either, if anything it is a series of scenes that succeed one another, while the film at various points feel both rushed and draggy. While I did like the music, there is a dance scene that feels so anachronistic in style(musically and choreographically) and how it was placed in the film it feels like a different movie altogether. All in all, lacks conviction and is disappointing, but at least the film looks good and has a cast that give their all. 4/10 Bethany Cox

i have never seen becky sharp, as a character, "nailed" by any actress. reese witherspoon, if you have never read the book, does an adequate job, but does'nt quite pull it off.the screenplay is the thing that lets this piece down the most though.a look at the unused scenes suggest that we could have had a more powerful film.perhaps the thing to have done would be to focus on a part of the novel, the action spans 20/30 years. the story does become a little staccato.there are a wealth of fine actors in the production, james purefoy brings a sympathetic air to his character col. rawden crawley.

I didn't read the book, though it was one of the Director's favorites from her high school days. Which means her departures weren't ignorant but intentional. Many of the movies in my small library are some of the best of film literature that we have, so there is a great appreciation for it on my part. But I don't think it impossible to make a good movie that differs from the book. Apparently this one, like so many - does.The movie is sumptuous, and beautifully so. It is, as I'm sure others have said, a feast for the eyes. I found it to be most excellent in every way, including both Reese Witherspoon as the lead, and the events coming full circle to a happy ending. If you enjoy the best of Merchant-Ivory, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, or any other well made period piece - I can't imagine you not enjoying this. It is well worth the watching.Since the entire production crew was a gaggle of women (I say that lovingly), there are visible elements of underlying political and social commentary favoring the feminine. Which is simply an observation, diverging from Mira Nair's small denial to the contrary. It was well written, well acted, well shot and well directed. I've enjoyed it immensely, several times, and will several more . . .