MovieChat Forums > Vanity Fair (2004) Discussion > Witherspoon miscast

Witherspoon miscast

posted 16 years ago by onepotato2
22 replies | jump to latest

She just kind of makes Becky sincere in every scene. The movie ends up being rather unshaped, and the energy just wheezes out of it.

Becky is a schemer. Miriam Hopkins had more fun with the role in 1935. And I guess you could count Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, since Margaret Mitchell had one eye on Vanit Fair as she wrote GWTW.

Related Article:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vanity_fair/articles/1324659/i_knew_sc arlett_ohara_and_you_ms_witherspoon_are_no_scarlett_ohara

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] JLKelly23 16 years ago

I agree... I wish they had cast someone else as Becky. Actually, after seeing Romola Garai in "Daniel Deronda" I think she would have made an excellent Becky Sharp.

There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] angelosdaughter 14 years ago

I think Romola Garai was perfect as the plyable, yielding, and absentmindedly kind Amelia. She just for me does not have the ruthlessness (and the look of ruthlessness) of the schemer that Becky Sharp is.
I, too, however, was surprised at the casting of Witherspoon in this role from a classic novel. I just don't think she has the range.

[–] randommovies2002 14 years ago

I think Romola Garai was perfect as the plyable, yielding, and absentmindedly kind Amelia. She just for me does not have the ruthlessness (and the look of ruthlessness) of the schemer that Becky Sharp is.

Then you really need to watch this
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384013/

Witherspoon not only lacks these qualities in theory, she doesn't effectively portray them on screen in this production.

[–] Ilario1 14 years ago

Romola is just awesome in The Crimson Petal and White. She is very versatile. I love her to pieces.

"What happens to a dream deferred?"

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] geode 9 years ago

There has to an American with a famous name or a film would not even be made. But she is incredibly annoying.

Ada calling somebody else annoying? Oh, the irony.

Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...

[–] GeorgiaLass 15 years ago

Reese didn't bother me in some scenes, but there are others in which she is positively shrill. Her accent fails at quite a few points. This version is definitely not what I've seen before. That's not good or bad, but it doesn't seem to follow the book as much as others.

[–] princesstinymeat 13 years ago

Reese Witherspoon seems like a fine person and probably suitable for certain roles, but she was in way over her head in this film. The poor direction from Mira Nair didn't help either. This movie is a big mess all around. Such a shame because the source material is great fun.

[–] randommovies2002 13 years ago

Such a shame because the source material is great fun.

Plus they had a decent enough budget to make something memorable. Too bad they didn't get a more suitable actress for the role. (The writing and editing didn't help her, either.) I've been dying to see the 1987 version; I hear it's the best one ever made.

[–] princesstinymeat 13 years ago

Indeed, this production had the budget necessary to make the definitive film adaptation, but it was squandered on over-the-top design and an American bobble head movie star lead. The whole thing lacked authenticity and seemed to be framed by an outsider's perspective. I actually felt sorry for all of the British actors trapped in this film.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] sbowesuk 9 years ago

The whole thing lacked authenticity

One of my biggest complaints about this movie. It lacked authenticity to almost offensive levels. The casting, clothing, and hairstyles, were at times terrible.

Witherspoon as the lead? She's American. She can't do a convincing English accent. She doesn't even look the part. The casting director should be shot. Hollywood really needs to get a grip. There are countless quality British actresses available who could have done this part justice.

Witherspoon is a big name, and at times a great actress, but putting her in this movie was nothing other than a cash grab at the expense of the movie.

As for the movie as a whole, it just didn't work. Seemed like the director didn't understand the source material. It just hobbled along, then fizzled out by the end. 5/10

[–] Nonobstant26 13 years ago

Reese Witherspoon was beautiful and fresh in this movie, but one can't help but see she was the contrary of the beauty of that time. Back then they loved round or ovale face with soft features and Reese's beauty was too contemporary.

She was a good actress in this movie though but yeah her success looked unrealistic, and I felt this movie was all about Reese, not Becky.

What also bothered me was the numerous undeserved praises her character was given as well for her beauty as for her "sharp mind". I mean, yeah we get it, we're supposed to see the character as such, no need to shove it down my throat. .__.

[–] intofilm 12 years ago

I usually like her, but either she got poor direction here, or she just wasn't up to the role. I got so annoyed with her after a while, especially the fakey accent and the weird twist of her lip she kept doing to show she was scheming.

[–] crooked_spoons 12 years ago

Witherspoon wasn't so much miscast as she was misdirected and that sincerity you feel in her character comes largely from the way she was written here. I think this Becky was altogether too caring and far less scheming and selfish than she actually was in either the book or the other adaptations. Here she actually appeared to even care for little Rawdy which we all know was far from the case.

__________
Everybody needs love. Have you held your hostage today?

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] HijodelCid 12 years ago

As regards looks, I think BS should be a Nicole Kidman type, but without the openly malevolent smile that Kidman often does.
God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)

[–] sisterlove_2003 12 years ago

I haven't seen the movie, but from reading the book I can't help but tell that Reese was miscast...I think Charlize Theron could've nailed this character perfectly though or even Michelle Pfieffer in earlier days

[–] 12 years ago

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