Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on January 17, 2009
Fair enough
In a world that is increasingly occupied with the attraction of the superficial,Regency novelist William Makepeace Thackerays novel Vanity Fair seems far from outdated.
3 min read
Vanity Fair
Zee Studio
Fridays,10:30pm
Rating ***
What is it about? In a world that is increasingly occupied with the attraction of the superficial,Regency novelist William Makepeace Thackerays novel Vanity Fair seems far from outdated. The story of a girl of humble origin,who makes it big through sheer ambition and grit,remains fresh in this BBC adaptation in spite of the constraints imposed by the television medium. The story starts when Becky (Rebecca) Sharpe,daughter of a drawing master,graduates from Miss Pinkertons Academy for Young Ladies. She accompanies her friend,the rich and happy Amelia Sedley to the latters home where she gets her first flavour of high society. The ambitious Becky then tries to unsuccessfully woo Amelias brother Joss,a rich and guileless young man. How Becky gets to the top,only to have a fall from grace,is the story of Vanity Fair.
Whos in it? British actress Natasha Little plays Becky Sharpe with the right mix of charming coquetry and Machiavellian cunning. It may be accidental,but you cant help but notice the resemblance between her and another,equally famous anti-heroine,Scarlett OHara of Margaret Mitchells Gone with the Wind. Both characters are essentially survivors,who make many false moves in the beginning,but end up doing penance for their actions. Nathaniel Parker plays Captain Rawdon Crawley and brings to life the role of the dashing rogue.
Whats hot? The show faithfully reproduces the social mores and customs of the Regency period. The glittering balls,the flouncy gowns and the stately uniforms of the gentlemen are lovingly created. Of course,the opening shot,which shows a young Becky serving her penniless fathers friends in the latters studio,shows the grim underbelly of those times,as do the portions which show Becky during her stint as governess at Sir Pitt Crawleys crumbling mansion.
Whats not? For something thats supposed to be a period classic,there isnt much
Regency music in the show. Also,most of the charm of the novel comes from the narration,because Thackeray was,as he himself admitted,not very adept with plotting and characterisation. The show couldve been saved by some complex characterisation and motivations ,but that is missing. Moreover,apart from the lead pair,Little and Parker,the acting department seriously suffers. Especially annoying is Francis Grey who plays Amelia Sedley with too much cloying sweetness.
Should you be watching it? If you dont have the time or the patience to read the original novel,we suggest you catch this well-adapted series. For all its flaws,its still beautifully produced,with a fairly interesting plotline and some wonderful moments.
POOJA PILLAI
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