“Easy Virtue” (2008)

When I first watched “Easy Virtue,” I felt something was slightly “off.”  Since then I’ve watched the film four or five more times, and now I love it.  Someone online offered the opinion that every viewing reveals new layers, and I agree.  This film, based on the Noel Coward play, is a genuine pleasure.  The screenplay is excellent, the social commentary on the mark, and the characters give us people to care about and think about afterwards.  And the cast:  Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colin Firth—brilliant all around.

I still sense that something is “off”—and I suspect that it involves the adaptation.  Coward’s play was first adapted for the screen by Alfred Hitchcock in 1928, when films were still “silent.”  I’ve read that the 2008 film is “closer to the original.”  I haven’t read the play, but the 2008 version seems to have made some significant changes; and I think that may be what makes it seem a little “off.”

Without spoiling too much (because I recommend you see this film!), I just want to say something about the “tango” scene.

In the course of the film (set around 1929), John has brought an American bride, Larita, home to his British upper class (?) family (unknown to him, the family has slowly been going bankrupt).  “Mom” considers the woman a gold-digger.  The visit becomes a series of social disasters.  John is drifting back to an old flame.  Meanwhile, Larita has discovered a kindred spirit in John’s father.

At a large social dance Larita, thoroughly disgraced, asks John to dance with her.  He refuses.  A friend who has a crush on Larita offers to dance with her; she appreciates the gesture but declines.  Then John’s father offers to dance.

Now imagine this long dance sequence.  In the background we see all the characters:  John, his mother, his sisters, the old flame, the guy with the crush—and the man that “Mom” hopes will save the estate.  Not only is the dance—a tango—terrifically sensual; the reactions of the characters in the background lend additional depth to the scene.

A truly enjoyable film experience—one I sincerely recommend.