Bob Hoskins, Eileen Atkins, Gabriel Byrne

The daughter of a starving English artist and a French chorus girl, Becky is orphaned at a young age. Even as a child, she yearns for a more glamorous life than her birthright promises. As she leaves ...( read more  read more... )Miss Pinkerton's Academy at Chiswick, Becky resolves to conquer English society by any means possible. She deploys all of her wit, guile, and sexuality as she makes her way up into high society during the first quarter of the 19th century. Becky's ascension to the heights of society commences when she gains employment as governess to the daughters of eccentric Sir Pitt Crawley. Becky wins over the children, and the Crawley family's rich spinster Aunt Matilda as well. The rural Hampshire household comes to find her indispensable, and Matilda comes to confide in the bright young woman. But Becky knows that she cannot be a true part of English society until she moves to the city. When Matilda invites her to come live in London, Becky eagerly accepts. There, Becky is reunited with her best friend Amelia Sedley, who-having grown up comfortably--does not share Becky's more brazen ambitions. Hewing close to the family she already knows so well, Becky secretly marries dashing heir Rawdon Crawley but when Matilda discovers their union, she casts the newlyweds out. When Napoleon invades Europe, Rawdon bravely reports to the front lines. Pregnant Becky stands by distraught newlywed Amelia, whose own husband George Osborne is also called to fight. When George does not survive the Battle of Waterloo, Becky's friendship with Amelia is strained beyond repair. Becky is reunited with Rawdon and gives birth to a boy, but, post-war, money and comforts are sparse for the trio. More intent than ever on gaining acceptance into London society and living well, Becky finds a patron in the powerful Marquess of Steyne. Steyne's whims enable Becky to realize her dreams, but the ultimate cost may be too high for her.

Flixster Users

53% liked it

43,497 ratings

Critics

49% liked it

160 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 17 min.

Directed by: Mira Nair

Release Date: September 1, 2004

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: February 1, 2005

Stats: 1,920 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (1,920)


  • July 25, 2009
    This is a beautifully made movie! although it was a bit like a jane austen novel was attcked by a bollywood productions, i still love the colors and the costume!
    I was ver surprised by Reese Witherspoon, she carried this role very well and i think was just the one to play it. A...( read more)lthough her motives were not always the best she still kept her character likeable!
    I was not satified with the ending tho! I would have like to see Becky get what was coming to her. There needed to be a coast involed, yes she lost her husband and son buy she didnt seem all that put out by it. i would to have liked to mybe see her go all the way back down be bing a maid.
  • December 25, 2008
    I watched this solely for the deliciousness that is James Purefoy in Regency attire.
  • August 7, 2007
    This i felt was a very clever movie with flair and colour. A classic novel becomes a classic movie with delectable reese witherspoon in the lead role. Magical film with funny bits and a loving core at its sweet centre.
  • November 20, 2006
    I liked it, but only just liked it.
  • November 17, 2006
    Trivial.
  • October 31, 2009
    Typical but interesting story
  • October 14, 2009
    good movie, but too long for juat a story about one woman and her life. i loved the characters tho, but once becky had her baby it was like she lost all her morals, that is all i have to say against becky's awesomeness
  • October 11, 2009
    i loved this movie but then i got really sad.
  • October 1, 2009
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Vanity Fair was a beautiful movie with amazing costumes. But it took a lot of concentration to figure out what exactly was going on.
    ...( read more)Becky Sharp played by Reese Whiterspoon was the daughter of an artist and a chorus girl. She did all she can to put herself in the high society, using her intelligence and sexuality. Reese was great in the role, bringing sympathy to the character Becky. The chemistry between Becky and Rawdon was okay. Not a bad movie, but you should have patience to figure it out.
  • September 29, 2009
    pretty to look at..but i wanted to eat my popcorn more

Critic Reviews


September 2, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

We're left with an increasingly weak-willed protagonist and a narrative with no driving force -- no motor. full review

September 2, 2004
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

"Vanity Fair is to Reese Witherspoon as "Erin Brockovich" was to Julia Roberts – only with a much better wardrobe. full review

September 1, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

By film's end, audiences are bound to be left dissatisfied with the choppy and confusing storytelling style and unhappy about the missed opportunity. full review

September 1, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

A pared-down but wonderfully cluttered rendition of Thackeray's work, beautifully acted by a dream troupe of performers. full review

September 1, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's one thing to understand Becky -- do we have to love her, too? full review

September 1, 2004
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

This might be tolerable if Nair hadn't missed the central point, that Becky Sharp isn't sharp like spice, she's sharp like a razor. full review

September 1, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The peculiar quality of Vanity Fair, which sets it aside from the Austen adaptations such as Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, is that it's not about very nice people. That makes them muc... full review

August 31, 2004
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

At the risk of being brutal, I would say that the Witherspoon of Legally Blonde, a far more bubbleheaded picture, was not merely sharper but Sharper than her Becky. full review

August 31, 2004
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

Dull and mostly lifeless... leaving viewers with little but a series of pretty pictures of pretty actors in pretty costumes. full review

August 26, 2004
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Mira Nair mistakenly makes the conniving Becky a symbol of modern feminist pluckiness. full review

View more Vanity Fair reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • WrellikW
    July 28, 2008
    I liked this movie. She definitely got what she wanted in life. This was a good movie.

    Take care all,
    William
    Zzzzzooooommmmm!

    "It is easy to be brave, from a distance." -American Indian Proverb-

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Princess Bride
    The Princess Bride (54%)
  • Marie Antoinette
    Marie Antoinette (65%)
  • The Golden Bowl
    The Golden Bowl (33%)
  • Mona Lisa Smile
    Mona Lisa Smile (50%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Vanity Fair : Watch Free on TV


Vanity Fair Trivia


  • In which movie was reese witherspoon actually pregnant during filming?  Answer »
  • Which actress is in the following movies? Legally Blonde Walk the Line Election Fear Cruel Intentions Vanity Fair Sweet Home Alabama  Answer »
  • where does becky sharp go in vanity fair?  Answer »
  • Which of the following is not based on a novel by Jane Austen?  Answer »

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?