Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Vanity Fair
2004
**
Director: Mina Nair
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, James Purefoy, Gabriel Byrne, Rhys Ifans, Eileen Atkins

Becky Sharp is a determined young woman who wants to climb the social ladder in the 19th century England. The story shows initial promise but it goes on forever, and you're left baffled once it's over. It all starts to make sense when you read about William Makepeace Thackeray's source novel and realise that Becky is supposed to be a wholly unpleasant character. The adaptation has kept many of the events but changed the context. Director Mira Nair adds some glued-on India references, an anachronistic Bollywood dance scene in particular sticks out like a sore thumb.