Cinema surveillance images are loading at the bottom of the page

Easy virtue - Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephan Elliot

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

From Stephan Elliot, director of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, comes this witty new comedy from the poison pen of Noel Coward and starring the delightful Jessica Biel.

Set during the Roaring Twenties, John Whittaker (Ben Barnes), a young Englishman, falls madly in love with a sexy and glamorous American, Larita (Jessica Biel), and they impetuously get married in the South of France. However, when the couple arrive at the stately family home in the English countryside, things start to unravel.

John's mother Veronica (Kristin Scott Thomas) has an instant allergic reaction to everything about her new daughter in law. Larita tries her best to fit in but fails to tiptoe through the minefield laid by her new 'mother'. Larita quickly realises Veronica's game and sees that she must fight back if she's not going to lose John. Sparks soon fly and a hilarious battle of wits ensues as each woman tries to outsmart the other.

A truly wonderful script and a knock-out support cast featuring the dry wit of Ben Barnes and Kristin Scott Thomas, Easy virtue will follow in the tradition of films such as Gosford Park and Mrs Henderson presents.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film comedy of manners Noel Coward UK 1920s Roaring Twenties romance England France country marriage class snob

Persons of interest

Jessica Biel .... Larita Morley
Ben Barnes .... John Whittaker
Kristin Scott Thomas .... Mrs Whittaker
Colin Firth .... Mr Whittaker
Kimberley Nixon .... Hilda Whittaker
Katherine Parkinson .... Marion Whittaker
Kris Marshall .... Furber
Christian Brassington .... Phillip Hurst
Charlotte Riley .... Sarah Hurst
Jim McManus .... Jackson
Pip Torrens .... Lord Hurst
Georgie Glen .... Mrs Landrigin
Laurence Richardson .... Marcus
Stephan Elliott .... Screenwriter
Sheridan Jobbins .... Screenwriter
Stephan Elliott .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

Easy virtue official movie site
Easy virtue film production notes
Easy virtue QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

London Film Festival 2008: Screening

Studios and distributors:

Hopscotch Films

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Ok, so it's funny and witty but Easy virtue is not as biting as I expected. It's a little light on the mustard and even though it's a period piece, it is made with a very modern (21st Century) eye. Bright Young Things is funnier and wittier but that's a film that focuses on the younger generation. Easy virtue is about the clash between the younger generation and the older generation, the new guard and the old guard (ie more drama, not so much humour).

Kristen Scott Thomas is fucking hilarious. There's no bitch like an old money, landed gentry, bitter and twisted English bitch. Everyone else is good, too. Warning: this movie contains frequent appearances by the horsy set.

The comedy, Noel Coward, UK movie Easy virtue is directed by Stephan Elliot and stars Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas.