ITV's new adaptation of Vanity Fair was much talked about and promoted with numerous interviews, articles etc and could even be said rather hyped up, gearing viewers for a must-see extravaganza for the month of September. Though it really didn't disappoint at all! If you haven't read the book or watched any of the adaptations in the past you were missing out. Vanity Fair is not everyone's cup of tea but it is one that can be said is truly for this day and age. What with an 'orphan' starting out in the world without means versus those who have everything. It's no surprise heroine Becky Sharpe (Olivia Cooke) did not want to venture into "darkest Hampshire." Her 'punishment' for acting out at Miss Pinkerton's school for girls. It was Miss Pinkerton's (Suranne Jones) revenge for having to put up with her, but Becky did manage to get one up on her. Not only did she talk her way into staying with her friend, Amelia Sedley (Claudia Jessie) but she even proceeded to embarrass Pinkerton by speaking in French and telling the girls she didn't even know French for the amount she was getting paid for teaching it.
Olivia bears such a striking similarity in terms of looks to Jenna Coleman!
Even throwing out the coveted dictionaries passed onto the girls who were leaving. Yes a dictionary will help the richer classes find their way into this world, when most of them would already have their lives mapped out for them through wealthy marriages and other pursuits. So Becky got to spend a week with Amelia and her family, who didn't receive visitors well and for all their 'snobbery' they really weren't that enamoured to have as parents. Snobbery aside, the real lowliness of their characters showed when they displayed their racism in front of Sam (Richie Campbell) who could read Becky like a book. For she was after money and thought she could do well with Amelia's portly brother, Jos (David Fynn) who was in India and returned home, to wow Becky with his adventures of Indian elephants. Having a week to make this match and propose marriage, she found things wouldn't fall into her lap so neatly.
Cue George Osborn (Charlie Rowe) a preening peacock, always fixing his hair and having high opinions on how ladies should be and behave and betrothed to Amelia. Jos proved to be a bounder, but if Becky could take him off Mr and Mrs Sedley's (Claire Skinner) hands and married since Becky has a "white face" and he wouldn't be lumbered with a brown maharani, that was fine for Mr Sedley (Simon Russell Beale) since they wouldn't produce "mahogany children." Uttered right in front of Sam, who managed to keep a straight face throughout. Becky attempting to impress with eating hot curry and getting it down and demanding water.
Interrupted at every turn from getting her proposal from Jos. Even though he was a buffoon and acted as such at their foray to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Where he got drunk and had to be taken home by Captain Dobbin (Johnny Flynn). Good old Dobby, always seen as a friend, but more a lackey by George, since it appeared the only reason he accompanied him to the gardens was to pay for tickets and carry the shawls. Then having to take Jos home and George talking him out of marrying Becky since he wanted a lady for a sister-in-law. As if Jos could attract the attentions of a lady! Dobby clearly showing feelings for Amelia.
Thus her week was up and she had to leave with Amelia practically giving her everything, including all her shawls, well three of them and the letter writing box which Becky gladly took, but not the carnelian necklace, lest she be accused of being a jewel thief and transported to Australia. Thus she was on her way to Hampshire, which proved every bit as dark as her expectations and was driven there by Pitt Crawly (Martin Clunes) himself, a skinflint of massive proportions and thus began chapter two where she was to be governess. Almost throwing the photoframe onto Rawdon Crawley's (Tom Bateman) head as he rides past the window. Well that was Rawdon, arrogant as ever, in case no one knew yet. Okay I jumped ahead!
A clever dramatization in places, especially the enjoyable parts where Becky looked at the camera twice, just to ensure we were paying attention to her, but more so it was a plot device to coincide with narration by WM Thackery (the author of the book) himself. This one will definitely be a ratings winner for ITV and scoring a hit for the cast too. Lots of mixed reviews on this one with the haters and those loving it to bits. Some were harsh though. Okay she's not the 'heroine' everyone wants to read about or watch, but who wants a perfect character everytime. Becky is manipulative, doesn't suffer fools, wants to get ahead, challenge the norms of the time; but is that her fault, or that of the world she moves in, the society of her times. No matter what, you can say she is engaging, has a sad life and sympathy on her might be wasted for some; though she's entertaining and a gripping character, never dull. Always thinking of her next move, although it falls through.
The addition of Thackery (Michael Palin) in the opening with his narration as an introduction to Becky was different and welcome to those who had trouble keeping up with the book, I don't say that for offence (many at school were in this boat) but he adds an extra edge of anticipation, as the cast clamour aboard the carousel. Life is one big fair after all, to many. Vanity Fair: "a very vain, wicked foolish place. Full of all sorts of humbug, falseness and pretensions." Not very far removed from our own, modern world at all!
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