Easy Virtue (2008 film)

For other uses, see Easy Virtue.

Easy Virtue
Theatrical release poster
Directed byStephan Elliott
Written byStephan Elliott
Sheridan Jobbins
Based onEasy Virtue
by Noël Coward
Produced byBarnaby Thompson
Joseph Abrams
James D. Stern
StarringJessica Biel
Colin Firth
Kristin Scott Thomas
Ben Barnes
CinematographyMartin Kenzie
Edited bySue Blainey
Music byMarius de Vries
Production
companies
Ealing Studios
Endgame Entertainment
Odyssey Entertainment
BBC Films
Fragile Films
Joe Abrams Productions
Prescience Film Partnerships
Distributed byPathé (United Kingdom)
Sony Pictures Classics (North America)
Ealing Studios International (Overseas)
Release dates
  • 7 November 2008 (2008-11-07) (United Kingdom)
  • 29 May 2009 (2009-05-29) (Canada)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguagesEnglish
French
Box officeUS$18,463,793[2]

Easy Virtue is a 2008 British romantic comedy film based on Noël Coward's play of the same name. The play was previously made into the silent movie Easy Virtue (1928) by Alfred Hitchcock. This adaptation is directed by Stephan Elliott, written by Elliott and Sheridan Jobbins, and stars Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Colin Firth and Kristin Scott Thomas. The score contains many Coward and jazz-age songs, some of which are sung or partially sung by the cast.

Easy Virtue is a social comedy in which a glamorous American widow, Larita, meets and impetuously marries a young Englishman, John Whittaker, at the Monaco Grand Prix. When they return to England, his mother takes an immediate and strong dislike to her daughter-in-law, while his father finds a kindred spirit. Family tensions escalate.

The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and London Film Festival[3] prior to its 7 November release by Pathé in the UK. Subsequently, the film was also screened at the Rio International Film Festival,[4] Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi,[5] and the Rome Film Festival.[6] It closed the Adelaide Film Festival prior to the Australian theatrical release on 12 March 2009.[7]

  1. ^ Easy Virtue BBFC Quote: Run Time 96m 48s
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference mojo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "A hugely enjoyable version of Noël Coward's twenties culture clash". The Times BFI London Film Festival. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
  4. ^ "Festival do Rio – Easy Virtue" (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Middle East International Film Festival – Abu Dhabi 2008 – Easy Virtue". Middle East International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  6. ^ Aloisi, Silvia (29 October 2008). "Easy Virtue tops favorites at Rome film fest". Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  7. ^ "Easy Virtue perfect choice for closing Adelaide festival". The Age. Melbourne. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.