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| Movie Review: Easy Virtue Alternate Title: Sad Dogs and Englishmen
Story: Boring and tedious are
two of the words that come to mind as I try to remember this film that
I saw at a screening 10 days go. It was directed by Stephen
Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and written
by Stephen Elliott and Sheridan Jobbins,
based on a play by Noel Coward. It is shortly after WW1 as we meet a repressed
English gentry family who are holding onto their legacy and reputation
despite the fact that their money is gone. The young master of the house
returns from a trip abroad with his new bride who is a beautiful American
race car driver. Can you already feel the tension? The lady of the house
is appalled at her son's choice and fires non-stop pithy bon mots at
the new bride. The man of the house is a WW1 veteran who has become
a drunken recluse. The two sisters are catty, a bit wacky and altogether
losers. Combine the above with an overly long sequence
about a dead chihuahua and I was long gone into a drift zone. The icing
on the cake was a requisite fox hunt. Just about everything I deplore
about the landed gentry was thrown into the mix for laughs. I did not
laugh at all. I do not think Noel Coward would have laughed either.Oh
- and did I mention they break out into once song too often? Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDgWWH2xyeQ Acting: Jessica Biel as the American beauty did not
have to stretch her talents at all. I found her to be vapid. Colin
Firth did not seem to be interested in his role at all. Kristin
Scott Thomas was the best thing about the film. Ben
Barnes as the young groom, was an empty suit. Kris
Marshall as the butler did make me smile a few times.
Kimberly Nixon and Katherine Parkinson as
the two sisters were nothing to write home about. Trivia: As a child Jessica Biel initially
pursued a career as a vocalist, performing in musical theater. Beginning
at age nine, she starred in such productions as "Annie," "The
Sound of Music," and "Beauty and the Beast."
Predilection: My good friend occasionally invites
me to screenings with him. I say 'yes' as often as I can for his good
company and for the opportunity to see a screening.
Critters: A poor chihuahua that meets with a thudding
end. Foxes, hounds, horses and anything else the English gentry would
want to shoot.
Food: Ham, turkey, asparagus, carrots, potatoes.
Sex Spectrum: Who cared?
Soundtrack: Some of the tunes were fun but for the
most part the music had too large a role.
Visual Art: The estate was stunning.
Theater Audience: A fairly crowded screening - but
not full.
Squirm Scale: I have absolutely no sense of humor
when an animal gets hurt in a movie.
Drift Factor: Drift, drift, drift away I did.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 4
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