Mira Nair directs Reese Witherspoon, Romola Garai and Gabriel Byrne in this period drama where ambitious Becky Sharpe navigates high society in 19th century England.

I have never read William Makepeace Thackeray’s 800 page plus tome so I couldn’t say whether this is a good condensing of the source. I will say that it moves at a fair clip, was always engaging and I was never lost within the expansive ensemble. Nair soaks her take in colour, probably leans into the East India Company references a little too heavily (they stick out like sour thumbs by the end). It feels like a movie. Her only real failing is Witherspoon’s Becky Sharpe remains a bit of enigma by close of play. We have been through too much with her for her to still be a plucky cypher.

6

Perfect Double Bill: Pride And Prejudice (2005)