Vanity Fair

Despite some predictable moments, Vanity Fair is something of a rarity in today's cinematic climate:....Witherspoon is sensational here, fearlessly cutting to the quick of Becky's strengths and flaws..... ... Full Review

However, the audio commentary with Nair as well as the "Welcome to Vanity Fair" and "Women of Vanity Fair" featurettes are worth watching. Fortunately for both of them, it's never too late to overcome stupidity and wrong choices, and the movie comes to a satisfying happy ending. ... Full Review

If it were just the opening sequence of the film that jolted viewers around, it might be possible to get over it, but Vanity Fair continues to feel choppy and poorly paced throughout its running time. There's something about a lavish period film, one with plenty of gorgeous costumes and exquisitely designed sets, that seems to suggest that it ought to be good. ... Full Review

Yet, for all of its positive qualities, "Vanity Fair" is not without some minor flaws. Director Mira Nair adds a splendid direction to "Vanity Fair" and gives the story a strong element of authenticity. ... Full Review

Splashing the costumes and sets with reams of colour, Nair spices her 19th-century drama with a fresh, modern tang until she gets carried away. Just wait for the ridiculous Bollywood musical set-piece that sees Witherspoon belly-dancing like some failed Moulin Rouge auditionee. ... Full Review

Review by David Stratton 'Vanity Fair' is the story of Becky Sharp, (Reese Witherspoon), the daughter of an impoverished, though talented, artist and a French dancer, and her determined, if at times thwarted, attempts to rise up the social ladder in the hidebound Britain of the early 19th Century. ... Full Review

As period pieces go, Vanity Fair is quite pleasant to look at, though I found myself comparing it unfavorably to one of my favorite movies, Age of Innocence (1993). In the reading, you can get involved and lose yourself in the period and the pacing, but in the movie, you only have so much time to get the story told. ... Full Review

Watching Mira Nair's Vanity Fair is a poetic, flowing experience. It's a beautiful movie. But, putting imperfections aside, Vanity Fair is one of the most entertaining and immersive films of the year. This is more than a special movie. ... Full Review

Stunning costume design and swelling score are pleasures, though this juicy period soap overstays its welcome past the two-hour mark. Witherspoon is an enigma -- her Becky Sharp clearly delighting in the sights and sounds of London while honing her not-so-subtle social-climbing skills to mountaineering status. ... Full Review

A good costume drama can be tremendously entertaining, but a bad one is probably the most boring experience in cinema.....Vanity Fair, unfortunately, falls into the latter category.....That's too much on the page to try to fit into a movie.....was a little too faithful for her own good.....The performances are strong throughout, especially the supporting ones..... ... Full Review