Click to read the article
Vanity Fair (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:160
Fresh:79
Rotten:81
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: A more likable Becky Sharp makes for a less interesting movie.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some sensuality/partial nudity and a brief violent image
Runtime: 2 hrs 21 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:14-01-2005
Synopsis: One of America's most popular stars, Reese Witherspoon, unites with one of the world's most acclaimed directors, Mira Nair, to bring to the screen one of the greatest female characters ever... One of America's most popular stars, Reese Witherspoon, unites with one of the world's most acclaimed directors, Mira Nair, to bring to the screen one of the greatest female characters ever created, Rebecca (Becky) Sharp. The new film version of the classic novel by William Makepeace Thackeray introduces a new audience to the beautiful, funny, passionate, and calculating Becky. 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 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 (Bob Hoskins). Becky wins over the children, and the Crawley family's rich spinster aunt Matilda (Eileen Atkins) 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 (Romola Garai), 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 (James Purefoy) - 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 (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) 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 (Gabriel Byrne). Steyne's whims enable Becky to realize her dreams, but the ultimate cost may be too high for her. [More]
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, James Purefoy, Jonathan Rhys-Myers, Romola Garai
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, James Purefoy, Jonathan Rhys-Myers, Romola Garai, Gabriel Byrne, Eileen Atkins, Jim Broadbent, Bob Hoskins, Rhys Ifans, Geraldine McEwan, Douglas Hodge
Director: Mira Nair
Director: Mira Nair
Screenwriter: Mark Skeet, Julian Fellowes, Matthew Faulk
Producer: Janette Day, Lydia Dean Pilcher, Donna Gigliotti
Composer: Mychael Danna
Studio: Focus Features
Reviews for Vanity Fair
Even though the central stories are compelling, dividing the film between them means we never have anyone to grab hold of.
From the ostentatious costumes by designer Beatrix Aruna Pasztor ("Wonder Boys") to the annoying male hairstyles that permeate every scene, "Vanity Fair" is a movie that depends on its overall visual effect to hypnotize audiences into overlooking the film
Yay! England sucks and India is cool! Well, except for that troublesome caste system, of course.
In Vanity Fair's universe without heroes, shameless central character Becky Sharp would have surely felt supremely at home stuck on Temptation Island, or in the boardroom of The Apprentice.
To our utter delight, these stories and messages are told with superb acting, amazing costumes that burst with color and texture, and dazzling locales.
Es una sólida adaptación de la novela de Thackeray por la que bien vale la pena pagar el boleto.
Becky’s adept maneuvering through upper society’s pitfalls is sometimes muddled from too many characters and too little explanation, but Witherspoon remains fun to watch...
Not at all the stiff costume drama bore I thought this movie was going to be.
Witherspoon is the only thing that kept me watching Vanity Fair even as my eyelids morphed into anvils.
Lacking a character we really care about, we’re left floundering in a mud puddle of human misbehavior. [But] the performances are all impressive.
Latest News for Vanity Fair
March 08, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: "300" Prepares to Conquer Multiplexes
For the first time in nearly a month, North America's most popular movie won't be about motorcycles. Warner Bros. goes back in time 2,500 years for the epic war saga... More...
October 19, 2006:
Box Office Guru Preview: Eastwood vs. Scorsese - Round 2
Hollywood sure loves to dwell on yesteryear. Another wave of historical films hits the multiplexes on Friday led by the World War II drama "Flags of our Fathers"... More...
June 09, 2005:
Paramount Confirms "Mission: Impossible 3" is a Go
Just a day after dropping their proposed "Watchmen" adaptation, Paramount Pictures announced that "Mission: Impossible 3" will go into production on July... More...
August 11, 2004:
Becky Sharp Returns ![]()
More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Vanity Fair at Rotten Tomatoes
- Vanity Fair at IGN
- Vanity Fair at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

