Easy Virtue“Easy Virtue” is easy on the eyes, but is it an amazing film? Not really. The movie, based on the 1920’s play by Noel Coward that was also adapted into a silent film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1928 is definitely viewable — but it won’t bedazzle.

The story goes that a young Englishman, John Whittaker (played by “Narnia’s” Ben Barnes), falls in love with a glamorous American race-car beauty named Larita (Jessica Biel). They elope Vegas-style without telling their families in the roaring twenties. But when John decides to take Larita back home (meaning a humongous mansion in the outskirts of England) John’s mother, Mrs. Whittaker, becomes less than pleased with his selection.

Now, before your alarm bells go off by thinking this movie is anything like J.Lo’s “Monster-in-Law” flick where the mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law war is there just for laughing purposes don’t worry, “Easy Virtue” isn’t like that at all. Coward was known for presenting comedies in the form of tragedies and this idea transpires into the movie. Also be warned that the film’s opening credits may lead you into thinking you’re in for an hour and a half of cheese but don’t be fooled, it gets much better.

I don’t think there could have been a better casting choice of Larita, a.k.a Biel. This is a character that oozes sex appeal but one that’s also clever and witty, and she more than pulls this off. Barnes also does a good job connecting with Biel’s character and acting like a boy who hasn’t yet turned into a man (which is how the character is supposed to act). This movie also counts with Colin Firth (“Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Mamma Mia!”) who definitely ups the performance standard in this film. Although his character, Mr. Whittaker, remains quiet and pensive throughout most of the movie, when he decides to open up his mouth you can expect an insightful line or two.

It’s also cool to see the American vs. English rivalry in the film, with a 1920’s twist. A lot of the humour in the movie comes from the culture shocks that both Larita and Mrs. Whittaker go through with each other. And since its not a “good daughter in law” “bad mother-in-law” type of movie, at times you might sympathize with Larita, while other moments you might take Mrs. Whittaker’s side.

Also, this is not a plotless movie with slap stick comedy. “Easy Virtue” has quite a few twists and turns (including character revelations) and isn’t extremely predictable. It’s good to see a movie where most of the laughs and smiles come from the actual dialogue as opposed to the characters tripping and falling.Take Larita’s advice to John’s younger sister, Hilda, for example, “If you want a man’s attention, ignore him.”

So what’s the verdict? “Easy Virtue” is mildly entertaining and interesting. The acting is fine, the setting is beautiful, the sets are authentic and the plot is somewhat refreshing. But if that isn’t enough to get you into the theatres, at least see it for for a 1920’s revamped version of the “Sex Bomb” song.

3halfstars






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