Her Movie Reviews

Strolling the shelves of Blockbuster, we saw last week that Easy Virtue is now on DVD. I remember seeing the trailer for the film a while back and so we decided to pick it up and give it a whirl. Set in the 1920s, Easy Virtue, is a light film about the son of an upper class British family that marries and brings home a sassy American wife to meet his parents. And of course, conflict quickly arises as the mother and the wife become mortal enemies – let the battles begin. Overall, the film was a little simple and the plot wavered at times, but the light humor and duel of wits with the mother-in-law keeps you entertained to the end. This is definitely a movie that should be rented or caught on TV rather then paying the eights dollars to see it in the theaters – which is probably why I don’t recall it ever making to the theaters.  It is just sort of one of those movies that if you watch, that’s good, otherwise you won’t be missing much. Its not to say that the film was necessarily bad, I actually rather enjoyed it.  It just seems like sometimes the plot falls flat and is only made up by a clever line here and there.  And most of these lines were delivered by the highlight of the film, Colin Firth, who plays the father-in-law to Biel.  He is a man who cares nothing for the dull boring life of the English countryside and the upper class. His lack of respect for English tradition plus his cool one-liners provides for wonderful humor and a great ally for Biel in place where she surely lacks friends. Even her husband, Ben Barnes, never really stands up for her and instead plays a child that never really grew up to take responsibility. Throughout the film he stays completely oblivious to the outright war that wages between his wife and mother.   I was sort of waiting for him to redeem himself, yet, it never really happens.

The real charm this movie has is in its subtle humor.  This isn’t an over the top, laugh out loud type of movie, but rather a few chuckles here and there.  I appreciate the movie for that as it seems like comedy films these days seem to follow the same damn suit.  But not everyone needs to be the next Superbad, and sometimes a light little comedy is just what you need.  This film manages never to get too serious and detract you from the movie itself. Or too stupid for that matter either. So, if you manage to catch it on TV and looking for a little light comedy, check it out.  Or perhaps, if  you’re into films about 1920s British upper class, then I guess this film is definitely for you. 

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