Exclusive: Vertical has secured Na rights to sci-fi thriller Last Sentinel, written by Malachi Smyth and directed by Academy Award-nominated Tanel Toom. The film stars Kate Bosworth (Along for the Ride), Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris), Thomas Kretschmann (Infinity Pool), and Martin McCann (The Informer).
Set in the near future, unchecked and rampant climate change has caused temperatures and sea levels to rise catastrophically. Only two large continents remain, and billions die during the mass migration to these higher lands. Surrounded by an endless ocean thousands of miles from home, a skeleton crew of soldiers stand as the last bastion, defending their homeland from an invasion by an enemy they have never seen, monitoring for signs of attack and prepared to sacrifice themselves for the cause. Their tour of duty ended 3 months ago with no relief in sight. Alone and uncertain as to what fate awaits them,...
Set in the near future, unchecked and rampant climate change has caused temperatures and sea levels to rise catastrophically. Only two large continents remain, and billions die during the mass migration to these higher lands. Surrounded by an endless ocean thousands of miles from home, a skeleton crew of soldiers stand as the last bastion, defending their homeland from an invasion by an enemy they have never seen, monitoring for signs of attack and prepared to sacrifice themselves for the cause. Their tour of duty ended 3 months ago with no relief in sight. Alone and uncertain as to what fate awaits them,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Tanel Toom (“Truth and Justice”) has wrapped production in Estonia on sci-fi thriller “Sentinel.”
The film stars Kate Bosworth (“Force of Nature”), Thomas Kretschmann (“The Pianist”), Lucien Laviscount (“Emily in Paris”) and Martin McCann (“The Survivalist”).
Written by Malachi Smyth (“The Score”), the film is set in the future on a war-ravaged Earth where four soldiers man Sentinel – a remote military base in a vast ocean that separates two warring continents. While they await their relief or the enemy, the simmering tension amongst them escalates when a mysterious boat drifts into range.
“Sentinel” is presented by Altitude Film Entertainment in association with Head Gear Film and Metrol Technology in association with Br/Arte, Tallifornia, Ichiban Films, Sentinel Entertainment and Vertical Entertainment.
Altitude Film Sales are handling international sales and will introduce the project to buyers at the AFM Virtual Market (Nov. 1-5).
The film is produced by Ben Pullen...
The film stars Kate Bosworth (“Force of Nature”), Thomas Kretschmann (“The Pianist”), Lucien Laviscount (“Emily in Paris”) and Martin McCann (“The Survivalist”).
Written by Malachi Smyth (“The Score”), the film is set in the future on a war-ravaged Earth where four soldiers man Sentinel – a remote military base in a vast ocean that separates two warring continents. While they await their relief or the enemy, the simmering tension amongst them escalates when a mysterious boat drifts into range.
“Sentinel” is presented by Altitude Film Entertainment in association with Head Gear Film and Metrol Technology in association with Br/Arte, Tallifornia, Ichiban Films, Sentinel Entertainment and Vertical Entertainment.
Altitude Film Sales are handling international sales and will introduce the project to buyers at the AFM Virtual Market (Nov. 1-5).
The film is produced by Ben Pullen...
- 10/26/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Lucien Laviscount, Martin McCann also on cast of Tanel Toom’s second feature.
Kate Bosworth, Thomas Kretschmann, Lucien Laviscount and Martin McCann have wrapped production in Estonia on Tanel Toom’s Sentinel, for which Altitude is launching international sales at next month’s AFM Virtual Market (November 1-5).
The UK-Estonia-Germany co-production is a sci-fi thriller set in a war-ravaged future, in which four soldiers man a remote ocean military base that separates two warring continents. As weeks turn into months, paranoia descends that tests relationships to breaking point.
The film is written by Malachi Smyth, who recently wrote and directed UK crime musical The Score,...
Kate Bosworth, Thomas Kretschmann, Lucien Laviscount and Martin McCann have wrapped production in Estonia on Tanel Toom’s Sentinel, for which Altitude is launching international sales at next month’s AFM Virtual Market (November 1-5).
The UK-Estonia-Germany co-production is a sci-fi thriller set in a war-ravaged future, in which four soldiers man a remote ocean military base that separates two warring continents. As weeks turn into months, paranoia descends that tests relationships to breaking point.
The film is written by Malachi Smyth, who recently wrote and directed UK crime musical The Score,...
- 10/26/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
James D’Arcy’s directing debut stars Neeson and his son Micheál Richardson.
As Afm gets underway, HanWay Films has announced a raft of sales and revealed the first image for James D’Arcy’s feature directing debut Made In Italy.
Liam Neeson stars opposite his real-life son Micheál Richardson in the story of a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son to make a quick sale on the villa they inherited from his late wife, only to find it in a desperate state of disrepair.
HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales on the title and...
As Afm gets underway, HanWay Films has announced a raft of sales and revealed the first image for James D’Arcy’s feature directing debut Made In Italy.
Liam Neeson stars opposite his real-life son Micheál Richardson in the story of a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son to make a quick sale on the villa they inherited from his late wife, only to find it in a desperate state of disrepair.
HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales on the title and...
- 11/6/2019
- by 1100796¦Matt Mueller¦47¦
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate U.K. has acquired U.K. rights to comedy “Made in Italy,” starring Liam Neeson. Lindsay Duncan, who starred in “Le Week-End,” and Valeria Bilello have joined the cast, which includes Micheál Richardson. HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales.
The film, James D’Arcy’s feature directorial debut, is set in Tuscany. It centers on bohemian London artist Robert (Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. The once-beautiful villa is in a terrible state of disrepair, and the pair set about restoring it, with help from the locals.
Kamasa said: “James has written a beautiful and relatable story about a father and son who mend their relationship in the most unexpected of ways. Poignant, funny and heart-warming, this project reflects Lionsgate’s continued desire to make the best of British films,...
The film, James D’Arcy’s feature directorial debut, is set in Tuscany. It centers on bohemian London artist Robert (Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. The once-beautiful villa is in a terrible state of disrepair, and the pair set about restoring it, with help from the locals.
Kamasa said: “James has written a beautiful and relatable story about a father and son who mend their relationship in the most unexpected of ways. Poignant, funny and heart-warming, this project reflects Lionsgate’s continued desire to make the best of British films,...
- 5/7/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Lionsgate has picked up UK rights to Liam Neeson-starrer Made In Italy, which is now underway in the UK and Italy.
Lindsay Duncan (Le Week-End), Valeria Bilello (Sense8) and Neeson’s son Micheál Richardson (Vox Lux) also star in the feature debut from actor James D’Arcy (Cloud Atlas). HanWay handles sales.
Set in Tuscany, the comedy follows bohemian London artist Robert (Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair.
The film was developed by London based CrossDay productions, and is produced by film and TV veteran Pippa Cross and Sam Tipper-Hale (Starfish), with HanWay’s MD Gabrielle Stewart and CrossDay’s Janette Day as executive producers. Co-producers for Indiana Production in Italy are Daniel Campos Pavoncelli and Alessandro Mascheroni.
Lindsay Duncan (Le Week-End), Valeria Bilello (Sense8) and Neeson’s son Micheál Richardson (Vox Lux) also star in the feature debut from actor James D’Arcy (Cloud Atlas). HanWay handles sales.
Set in Tuscany, the comedy follows bohemian London artist Robert (Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair.
The film was developed by London based CrossDay productions, and is produced by film and TV veteran Pippa Cross and Sam Tipper-Hale (Starfish), with HanWay’s MD Gabrielle Stewart and CrossDay’s Janette Day as executive producers. Co-producers for Indiana Production in Italy are Daniel Campos Pavoncelli and Alessandro Mascheroni.
- 5/7/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Liam Neeson and Micheal Richardson (“Vox Lux”) will star in James D’Arcy’s directorial debut, “Made in Italy.”
Neeson will play a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son, portrayed by Richardson, to sell the house they inherited from his late wife. The movie, also written by D’Arcy, will commence production in April in Italy.
HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and distribution, and is bringing the pic to the upcoming American Film Market, which opens Wednesday in Santa Monica, Calif.
HanWay Films managing director Gabrielle Stewart said, “It has been exciting to see this popular screenplay and project really mature and take shape this year; and with Liam and Micheal playing a father and son facing challenges both emotional and comedic in Tuscany, we are in for a very special treat.”
The movie was developed by London-based CrossDay Productions, and is produced by...
Neeson will play a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son, portrayed by Richardson, to sell the house they inherited from his late wife. The movie, also written by D’Arcy, will commence production in April in Italy.
HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and distribution, and is bringing the pic to the upcoming American Film Market, which opens Wednesday in Santa Monica, Calif.
HanWay Films managing director Gabrielle Stewart said, “It has been exciting to see this popular screenplay and project really mature and take shape this year; and with Liam and Micheal playing a father and son facing challenges both emotional and comedic in Tuscany, we are in for a very special treat.”
The movie was developed by London-based CrossDay Productions, and is produced by...
- 10/29/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Project which will be presented at this year’s Afm by Hanway.
Liam Neeson and Micheál Richardson are attached to star in James D’Arcy’s feature directing and screenplay debut, Made In Italy.
D’Arcy is best known for his acting roles in films such as Dunkirk, Cloud Atlas and Homeland.
HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and distribution and will showcase the film at this year’s American Film Market. It will commence production April 2019 in Italy.
The film was developed by London based CrossDay productions, and is produced by Pippa Cross (Chalet Girl) and Sam Tipper-Hale...
Liam Neeson and Micheál Richardson are attached to star in James D’Arcy’s feature directing and screenplay debut, Made In Italy.
D’Arcy is best known for his acting roles in films such as Dunkirk, Cloud Atlas and Homeland.
HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and distribution and will showcase the film at this year’s American Film Market. It will commence production April 2019 in Italy.
The film was developed by London based CrossDay productions, and is produced by Pippa Cross (Chalet Girl) and Sam Tipper-Hale...
- 10/29/2018
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Liam Neeson and his real-life son, rising actor Micheál Richardson (Vox Lux), are newly attached to star in Dunkirk actor James D’Arcy’s directorial debut Made In Italy.
Neeson will play Robert, a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son played by Richardson, to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. The film is due to commence production April 2019 in Italy. HanWay Films is selling at the Afm. Script comes from D’Arcy.
The film was developed by London based CrossDay productions, and is produced by film and TV veteran Pippa Cross (Chalet Girl) and Sam Tipper-Hale (Starfish), with co-producer Nicola Serra for Italian production entity Palomar (The Happy Prince), and HanWay’s MD Gabrielle Stewart and CrossDay’s Janette Day as executive producers. Heads of department include cinematographer Mike Eley (The White Crow) and editor Chris Dickens...
Neeson will play Robert, a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son played by Richardson, to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. The film is due to commence production April 2019 in Italy. HanWay Films is selling at the Afm. Script comes from D’Arcy.
The film was developed by London based CrossDay productions, and is produced by film and TV veteran Pippa Cross (Chalet Girl) and Sam Tipper-Hale (Starfish), with co-producer Nicola Serra for Italian production entity Palomar (The Happy Prince), and HanWay’s MD Gabrielle Stewart and CrossDay’s Janette Day as executive producers. Heads of department include cinematographer Mike Eley (The White Crow) and editor Chris Dickens...
- 10/29/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Daniel Clowes’ comics creation receives an A-Plus film adaptation through the directorial filter of Terry Zwigoff. The show has more going for it than the bleak alienation of disaffected quasi- gen-Xers — the script offers a depth of character revealing the insecure, hopes and fears behind all the insulting attitudes and behaviors. It’s caustic, funny and also strongly affecting.
Ghost World
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 872
2001 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Teri Garr.
Cinematography: Affonso Beato
Production Designer: Edward T. McAvoy
Art Direction: Alan E. Muraoka
Film Editors: Carole Kravetz, Michael R. Miller
Original Music: David Kitay
Writing credits: Daniel Clowes & Terry Zwigoff from the comics by Daniel Clowes
Produced by Pippa Cross, Janette Day, Lianne Halfon, Barbara A. Hall,
John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Enid:...
Ghost World
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 872
2001 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Teri Garr.
Cinematography: Affonso Beato
Production Designer: Edward T. McAvoy
Art Direction: Alan E. Muraoka
Film Editors: Carole Kravetz, Michael R. Miller
Original Music: David Kitay
Writing credits: Daniel Clowes & Terry Zwigoff from the comics by Daniel Clowes
Produced by Pippa Cross, Janette Day, Lianne Halfon, Barbara A. Hall,
John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Enid:...
- 5/26/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Exclusive: True-life drama stars Joanne Froggatt and Tom Riley.
Debbie Gray and Julian Gleek’s London-based Genesius Pictures has acquired UK distribution rights and international sales rights to Starfish, starring Joanne Froggatt [pictured] and Tom Riley.
The Little Film Company is in Cannes showing footage to the inspirational true-life story of a couple whose lives change forever when the man contracts a rare disease that leads to the loss of all four limbs and parts of his face.
Bill Clark wrote and directed and based his screenplay on interviews with the actual couple on whom the story is based.
Starfish is a Genesius Pictures presentation in association with Head Gear Films, Kreo Films and Unlimited Pictures of a Starfish Pictures Limited production with Origami Films Ltd, CrossDay and What’s The Story.
Pippa Cross, Mel Paton and Ros Hubbard produce and Gray is on board as executive producer with Robbie Little and Gleek, Diana Phillips, [link...
Debbie Gray and Julian Gleek’s London-based Genesius Pictures has acquired UK distribution rights and international sales rights to Starfish, starring Joanne Froggatt [pictured] and Tom Riley.
The Little Film Company is in Cannes showing footage to the inspirational true-life story of a couple whose lives change forever when the man contracts a rare disease that leads to the loss of all four limbs and parts of his face.
Bill Clark wrote and directed and based his screenplay on interviews with the actual couple on whom the story is based.
Starfish is a Genesius Pictures presentation in association with Head Gear Films, Kreo Films and Unlimited Pictures of a Starfish Pictures Limited production with Origami Films Ltd, CrossDay and What’s The Story.
Pippa Cross, Mel Paton and Ros Hubbard produce and Gray is on board as executive producer with Robbie Little and Gleek, Diana Phillips, [link...
- 5/18/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: True-life drama stars Joanne Froggatt and Tom Riley.
Debbie Gray and Julian Gleek’s London-based Genesius Pictures has acquired UK distribution rights and international sales rights to Starfish, starring Joanne Froggatt [pictured] and Tom Riley.
The Little Film Company is in Cannes showing footage to the inspirational true-life story of a couple whose lives change forever when the man contracts a rare disease that leads to the loss of all four limbs and parts of his face..
Bill Clark wrote and directed and based his screenplay on interviews with the actual couple on whom the story is based.
Starfish is a Genesius Pictures presentation in association with Unlimited Pictures of a Starfish Pictures Limited production with Origami Films Ltd, CrossDay and What’s the Story.
Pippa Cross, Mel Paton and Ros Hubbard produce and Gray is on board as executive producer with Robbie Little and Gleek, Diana Phillips, Claire Best and Peter Lang for Unlimited, Joanne Froggatt, Graeme...
Debbie Gray and Julian Gleek’s London-based Genesius Pictures has acquired UK distribution rights and international sales rights to Starfish, starring Joanne Froggatt [pictured] and Tom Riley.
The Little Film Company is in Cannes showing footage to the inspirational true-life story of a couple whose lives change forever when the man contracts a rare disease that leads to the loss of all four limbs and parts of his face..
Bill Clark wrote and directed and based his screenplay on interviews with the actual couple on whom the story is based.
Starfish is a Genesius Pictures presentation in association with Unlimited Pictures of a Starfish Pictures Limited production with Origami Films Ltd, CrossDay and What’s the Story.
Pippa Cross, Mel Paton and Ros Hubbard produce and Gray is on board as executive producer with Robbie Little and Gleek, Diana Phillips, Claire Best and Peter Lang for Unlimited, Joanne Froggatt, Graeme...
- 5/18/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
uConnect, the international sales division of uMedia, has taken on worldwide sales for Christopher Menaul’s Summer In February.
Dominic Cooper, Dan Stevens and Emily Browning lead the cast in the true story of the tragic love triangle between painter Aj Munnings (Cooper), budding artist Florence Carter-Wood (Browning) and the local land agent Gilbert Evans (Stevens).
Producers are Janette Day and Pippa Cross for CrossDay Productions, Apart Films’ Jeremy Cowdrey and Dan Stevens. Jonathan Smith wrote the screenplay based on his eponymous novel.
Metrodome released the film theatrically in the UK on June 14.
The film had previously been represented by Speranza13.
uConnect’s slate also includes The Best Offer, Shield Of Straw, Nothing Bad Can Happen, Frances Ha, Satellite Boy and Closed Curtain.
Dominic Cooper, Dan Stevens and Emily Browning lead the cast in the true story of the tragic love triangle between painter Aj Munnings (Cooper), budding artist Florence Carter-Wood (Browning) and the local land agent Gilbert Evans (Stevens).
Producers are Janette Day and Pippa Cross for CrossDay Productions, Apart Films’ Jeremy Cowdrey and Dan Stevens. Jonathan Smith wrote the screenplay based on his eponymous novel.
Metrodome released the film theatrically in the UK on June 14.
The film had previously been represented by Speranza13.
uConnect’s slate also includes The Best Offer, Shield Of Straw, Nothing Bad Can Happen, Frances Ha, Satellite Boy and Closed Curtain.
- 6/20/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
An individual investor has bought a 25% stake in London-based production company CrossDay. Producers Pippa Cross and Janette Day will use the money to help convert two movies a year over the next three years. First up will be a remake of the Oscar-winning Tom Jones directed by David Dury with a screenplay by Matthew Faulk and Mark Skeet (Vanity Fair). Filming is set for this fall. Lionsgate will release CrossDay’s Heartless, starring Jim Sturgess, in the UK this Friday. Momentum will release its latest production Chalet Girl, starring Ed Westwick, Bill Nighy and Felicity Jones, early 2011. Cross and [...]...
- 5/17/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline London
Not an easy thing, making a film version of a classic 900-page novel, but harder still for a director to make that film her own. Mira Nair accomplishes this feat in Vanity Fair, an energetic new take on William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, one flavored with Indian spices. Yes, there is too much plot and far too many characters for a comfortable period movie. The story leaps about in a jerky manner, and the movie portrays its personae in broad brushstrokes rather than with meticulous, painterly precision. No matter. The spirit of that most modern of 19th century heroines, Becky Sharp, remains intact, and Nair's Indian touches make for an intriguing, fresh approach.
Traditionalists will no doubt carp about the Bollywood touches, but does anyone really want to see another anemic, literal translation of Thackeray on the screen? Reviews may be vital for the Focus Features release, however, as getting the film out of the art-house ghetto does represent a marketing challenge. The outlook in ancillary markets looks promising.
Thackeray's novel, which takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, concerns the lives of two starkly contrasted women, who first meet at an academy for young ladies. Film versions inevitably focus on Becky, a model of feisty feminism long before such a term existed and by far the tale's most entertaining and engrossing character.
Writers Matthew Faulk, Mark Skeet and Julian Fellowes follow the fortunes of both women but zero in on Becky. As played by Reese Witherspoon, this Becky, despite being a social climber and first-class schemer, is completely sympathetic. Women had little means other than guile and marriage to cross forbidden class barriers in English society of that era. Becky knows what she is doing but clings stubbornly to a moral code, albeit one not appreciated by the majority of that era's society matrons.
Certainly the first scheme of Becky and her best friend, Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai), fails to pan out. Amelia wants Becky to snare her rich but dim brother Jos (Tony Maudsley) in matrimony while Amelia herself has her heart set on dashing army captain George Osborne (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Only George, a callow cad, talks Jos out of marrying the virtually penniless orphan.
Becky gains employment at the ramshackle country home of the Crawley family as governess and eventually marries Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy), the second son of Sir Pitt Crawley (Bob Hoskins). When Sir Pitt's spinster sister Matilde (Eileen Atkins), formerly Becky's greatest champion, learns of the marriage, Rawdon, a self-indulgent, habitual gambler, is tossed out of the family.
George does marry Amelia, but only to spite his overbearing father (Jim Broadbent), a wealthy member of the emerging merchant class. George perishes in the battle of Waterloo, which Rawdon survives. Both women are by then pregnant. Amelia has her son, but her father-in-law lets her and the boy languish in dire poverty. Becky, too, has a boy, on whom Rawdon dotes. But as his gambling debts mount, Becky allows herself to acquire a patron in the powerful Marquess of Steyne (Gabriel Byrne). Where in Thackeray's version she become his mistress, in Nair's she is seen as compromised but still innocent.
A broken-hearted Rawdon quits the marriage and Becky drifts to the continent, where several years later her encounter with both Amelia and her brother brings the story to a close. Here again, Nair insists on an alteration of Thackeray. Where the novel leaves Becky a widow, who has ultimately realized her dreams, albeit at great cost, Nair's Becky runs off to India with Jos for a wedding in a lavish sequence shot at the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodphur.
Nair's Indian-ization of Vanity Fair is not without justification. Indeed Thackeray was born in Calcutta, where his father worked for the East Indian Co. The social world that he describes with such a critical eye in Vanity Fair was one of excesses of riches made possible by the British colonialization and the consequent rise of a middle class. Asian, African and Indian influences were creeping into London society as the Empire encountered cultures and people it barely understood.
Nair's cast is splendid. Witherspoon does justice to the juicy role by giving the part more buoyancy than naughtiness. Hoskins makes delightful comedy out of the idiosyncratic Sir Pitt. Byrne has just the right mix of hauteur and disdain for fellow aristocrats.
Rhys Ifans takes the self-pity out of the lovelorn William Dobbin, whose love for Amelia transcends her many brushoffs. Purefoy manages to project a manly exuberance that disguises a weak, hedonistic character. Atkins is great fun as the cheerfully hypocritical Aunt Mathilda, while Broadbent suggests overweening pride in the morally obtuse Mr. Osborne.
No attempt is made to age the actors; they simply appear in different costumes. Those costumes are especially rich, providing a kind of running commentary on the characters. Set design and photography are strong enough for the film to avoid that TV miniseries look from which so many British period pieces suffer.
VANITY FAIR
Focus Features
A Tempesta Films/Granada Film production
Credits:
Director: Mira Nair
Screenwriters: Matthew Faulk, Mark Skeet, Julian Fellowes
Based on the novel by: William Makepeace Thackeray
Producers: Janette Day, Donna Gigliotti, Lydia Dean Pilcher
Executive producers: Jonathan Lynn, Howard Cohen, Pippa Cross
Director of photography: Declan Quinn
Production designer: Maria Djurkovic
Music: Mychael Danna
Co-producer: Jane Frazer
Costume designer: Beatrix Aruna Paztor
Editor: Allyson C. Johnson
Cast:
Becky Sharp: Reese Witherspoon
Matilda Crawley: Eileen Atkins
Mr. Osborne: Jim Broadbent
Marquess: Gabriel Byrne
Amelia Sedley: Romola Garai
Sir Pitt Crawley: Bob Hoskins
William Dobbin: Rhys Ifans
Lady Southdown: Geraldine McEwan
Rawdon Crawley: James Purefoy
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 140 minutes...
Traditionalists will no doubt carp about the Bollywood touches, but does anyone really want to see another anemic, literal translation of Thackeray on the screen? Reviews may be vital for the Focus Features release, however, as getting the film out of the art-house ghetto does represent a marketing challenge. The outlook in ancillary markets looks promising.
Thackeray's novel, which takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, concerns the lives of two starkly contrasted women, who first meet at an academy for young ladies. Film versions inevitably focus on Becky, a model of feisty feminism long before such a term existed and by far the tale's most entertaining and engrossing character.
Writers Matthew Faulk, Mark Skeet and Julian Fellowes follow the fortunes of both women but zero in on Becky. As played by Reese Witherspoon, this Becky, despite being a social climber and first-class schemer, is completely sympathetic. Women had little means other than guile and marriage to cross forbidden class barriers in English society of that era. Becky knows what she is doing but clings stubbornly to a moral code, albeit one not appreciated by the majority of that era's society matrons.
Certainly the first scheme of Becky and her best friend, Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai), fails to pan out. Amelia wants Becky to snare her rich but dim brother Jos (Tony Maudsley) in matrimony while Amelia herself has her heart set on dashing army captain George Osborne (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Only George, a callow cad, talks Jos out of marrying the virtually penniless orphan.
Becky gains employment at the ramshackle country home of the Crawley family as governess and eventually marries Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy), the second son of Sir Pitt Crawley (Bob Hoskins). When Sir Pitt's spinster sister Matilde (Eileen Atkins), formerly Becky's greatest champion, learns of the marriage, Rawdon, a self-indulgent, habitual gambler, is tossed out of the family.
George does marry Amelia, but only to spite his overbearing father (Jim Broadbent), a wealthy member of the emerging merchant class. George perishes in the battle of Waterloo, which Rawdon survives. Both women are by then pregnant. Amelia has her son, but her father-in-law lets her and the boy languish in dire poverty. Becky, too, has a boy, on whom Rawdon dotes. But as his gambling debts mount, Becky allows herself to acquire a patron in the powerful Marquess of Steyne (Gabriel Byrne). Where in Thackeray's version she become his mistress, in Nair's she is seen as compromised but still innocent.
A broken-hearted Rawdon quits the marriage and Becky drifts to the continent, where several years later her encounter with both Amelia and her brother brings the story to a close. Here again, Nair insists on an alteration of Thackeray. Where the novel leaves Becky a widow, who has ultimately realized her dreams, albeit at great cost, Nair's Becky runs off to India with Jos for a wedding in a lavish sequence shot at the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodphur.
Nair's Indian-ization of Vanity Fair is not without justification. Indeed Thackeray was born in Calcutta, where his father worked for the East Indian Co. The social world that he describes with such a critical eye in Vanity Fair was one of excesses of riches made possible by the British colonialization and the consequent rise of a middle class. Asian, African and Indian influences were creeping into London society as the Empire encountered cultures and people it barely understood.
Nair's cast is splendid. Witherspoon does justice to the juicy role by giving the part more buoyancy than naughtiness. Hoskins makes delightful comedy out of the idiosyncratic Sir Pitt. Byrne has just the right mix of hauteur and disdain for fellow aristocrats.
Rhys Ifans takes the self-pity out of the lovelorn William Dobbin, whose love for Amelia transcends her many brushoffs. Purefoy manages to project a manly exuberance that disguises a weak, hedonistic character. Atkins is great fun as the cheerfully hypocritical Aunt Mathilda, while Broadbent suggests overweening pride in the morally obtuse Mr. Osborne.
No attempt is made to age the actors; they simply appear in different costumes. Those costumes are especially rich, providing a kind of running commentary on the characters. Set design and photography are strong enough for the film to avoid that TV miniseries look from which so many British period pieces suffer.
VANITY FAIR
Focus Features
A Tempesta Films/Granada Film production
Credits:
Director: Mira Nair
Screenwriters: Matthew Faulk, Mark Skeet, Julian Fellowes
Based on the novel by: William Makepeace Thackeray
Producers: Janette Day, Donna Gigliotti, Lydia Dean Pilcher
Executive producers: Jonathan Lynn, Howard Cohen, Pippa Cross
Director of photography: Declan Quinn
Production designer: Maria Djurkovic
Music: Mychael Danna
Co-producer: Jane Frazer
Costume designer: Beatrix Aruna Paztor
Editor: Allyson C. Johnson
Cast:
Becky Sharp: Reese Witherspoon
Matilda Crawley: Eileen Atkins
Mr. Osborne: Jim Broadbent
Marquess: Gabriel Byrne
Amelia Sedley: Romola Garai
Sir Pitt Crawley: Bob Hoskins
William Dobbin: Rhys Ifans
Lady Southdown: Geraldine McEwan
Rawdon Crawley: James Purefoy
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 140 minutes...
- 9/29/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
James Purefoy has nabbed the lead role opposite Reese Witherspoon in Vanity Fair for Focus Features and director Mira Nair. Shooting starts next month. Adapted by Julian Fellowes, the project is a big-screen version of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel. Set in the 1840s, it centers on a lower-class girl, Becky Sharp (Witherspoon), who defies her poverty-stricken background to climb the London social ladder with her best friend, Amelia, by her side. Purefoy will play Rawdon Crawley, the roguish younger son of Sir Pitt Crawley. Rawdon ultimately marries Becky. Focus is financing the project, with Donna Gigliotti and Janette Day producing. Purefoy is repped by ICM and the Firm. His big-screen credits include George and the Dragon, Resident Evil, A Knight's Tale and Maybe Baby.
- 4/23/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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