Easy Virtue

Easy Virtue, based on the Noel Coward play of the same name, is the story of love amidst clashing cultures. John Whittaker, played by English actor Ben Barnes, is the only son of a landed, and seemingly aristocratic English family. While traveling abroad he meets Larita, played by Jessica Biel, a brassy American "bottle blond" who races cars for a living. When he brings her back home as his wife to meet the family, the reaction is initially very chilly, and it only goes downhill from there. Mom, played perfectly by Kristen Scott Thomas is the least receptive of the bunch, and she resents the fact that Larita wants to take her son away to live in London, as opposed to them staying on the family estate. Dad, played by Colin Firth is frankly, too depressed and detached to care one way or the other, as he is still nursing some severe psychological wounds left over from World War I. This film was quite entertaining and it tells a serious story with just the right amount of humor. Ms. Biel is perfect as as the independent and plain speaking American, and she holds her own as the war of wills with the very proper Ms. Thomas heats up, and secrets are revealed. This film was very engaging from the start, and very easy to like.

Rating - 3 (Solid)