Vanity Fair

[JaneJeffer]

I'm finding Rebecca annoying. I haven't read the book so have no idea if she's meant to be.

Silver though I can image Madonna and Becky Sharp are quite similar in character

Becky is the epitomy of a material girl, but the song was totally out of keeping with the rest of the soundtrack.

I am finding it really tedious and I am a mahoosive period drama fan.

I love it! I like the change from the rather stuffy BBC1 period drama - loved the book and I feel this is doing it justice in getting Becky's chancer character across .

also loads better than the bodyguard nonsense - completely unbelievable . main 2 characters intensely irritating . middle aged highflying woman having a fling with a bit of rough who doesnt say anything but spends a lot of time staring into space in a not very meaningful way . Dull

I didn't bother watching it tonight. It just didn't grab me last night and I didn't care about any of the characters.

It seems to be the fashion now to put modern music in period dramas - the BBC did the same with Picnic at Hanging Rock. I find it jarring.

I'm sticking with Vanity Fair although many things about it annoy me. Becky''s supposed to have red/sandy hair and green eyes, just for starters. And I agree with the poster who said there should be much more of Thackeray commenting and giving the authorial asides.

On the plus side, I like anything with Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Bayton. And I think the actress playing Amelia is very well cast.

Another massive fan of the book and was optimistic given the cast list. But oh my goodness how I wish it was a bbc production. It just seems so cheaply done. I mean the Vauxhall scenes needed about 5 times as many extras. It looked half empty and the way they passed the various attractions one by one in set pieces was just cringey.

I've not read the book but I'm enjoying the glossy entertainment, beautiful houses and costumes.

Confused by: Becky suddenly dealing with the Crawley estate legalities...

Becky's pointed looks to the camera when she's about to be devious - surely it can be more subtle and the viewer would still understand?

Material Girl track at the end of ep2. It seems a little bit forced!

"I think Becky is doing great tbh."

Yes I do.

Feel a bit sorry for the character so far. Admire her ballsy attitude despite her so called inferior status, and don't blame her exploiting her good looks. Not easy in those days.

The series seems a little low on budget but I'm enjoying it.

I can't find it anymore but there used to be a clip on youtube of Tom Ward as George, set to "dedicated follower of fashion".

Not a patch on the 1997/98 version with Philip Glenister as Dobbin (goes off to hunt for DVD)

It seems fresh and vibrant to me.
Tbh I was prepared to give it a go not really expecting much, but it won me over very quickly.

I was trying to remember the adaptation I really liked with Philip Glenister as a very believable Dobbin. 1998 it was filmed in - feels like it was only a few years ago.
1998? Noooo! Time flies!

It’s helpful to read all this - I haven’t been sure what to think.

I was hoping that the sugary colouring would be underlining huge doses of irony, but (apart from Becky) none of the characters appear to have any self-awareness whatsoever. So it’s hard to see the point of them. (Have read VF but too long ago to remember how I felt about it.)

And what on Earth is going on with the make up and lighting? So many ivory necks and orange faces. And patchiness - as if they couldn’t find the right tools for application.

I liked the footman’s sideways looks - but in all other respects this version doesn’t seem to have moved costume drama on at all from twenty years ago. They really needed more commitment to Material Girl era music, too.

Unsatisfactory so far, though I cannot help feeling there must be something I’m missing.

I watched on catch up and was very disappointed. I thought it was an amateur dramatics production, even the red uniforms looked like red felt with buttons and fringing stuck on. Very poor in my opinion

😍😍😍

I heard the woman who did the adaptation say 'it's all about friendship' which made my heart sink a little. Becky Sharpe is not likeable and Thackeray never disguises her true nature. She is, in modern parlance, a grifter, through and through. She, and her horrific husband, identify marks, suck them dry, discard them and move on without a backward glance. You are never invited to pity her (she certainly doesn't pity herself) or to like her. Even if she does something kind, it's expedient. He doesn't apologise, he doesn't sugar coat her behaviour. That in a way is the glory of the book, it's not enveloped in a cloying 19th century morality. I will have a look at it but I do wonder if it's all going to be a bit huggy and Austenish.

Well that's me sorted.On the strength of that YouTube clip with Philjp Glennister thats the one for me.Just from that short taster the acting loooks far superior.Wont bother anymore with this version,already it's not living up to my expectations.I must confess I've not read the book,or seen other adaptations .Lots of Austen and Dickens but not Vanity Fair ,although I knew Becky Sharp was a much coveted role.

My favourite is still the 1987 version

I also agree that Dobbin hasn't been well cast, and both Philip Glennister and Rhys Ifans were more physically suited. Ditto Anthony Head's casting as Lord Steyne which is almost as ludicrous as Gabriel Bryne's.

Another issue I have with ITV's adaption is the cinematography and mise-en-scene. It's all too brightly light, and Queen's Crawley is far too sanitary and clean. As is Martin Clues as Sir Pitt. in fact, it just not grubby enough on any level.
I'm not a huge fan of Frances de la Tour but her Matilda Crawley is almost as grotesque enough. However, Miriam Margolyes in the BBC's version was bang on.

I always thought I was alone in my admiration for the BBC's version, so am thrilled to learn so many of you rate it highly too. And to those who haven't seen it, I urge you to seek it out, it really will be worth your while.

Ah Dobbin 💕 and Philip Glenister too 💕💕

My word - that takes me back Flowery! When I think of poor (wet lettuce) Amelia sobbing because Becky has stolen from her, and yet still trying to defend her friend - that is the version that always comes to my mind., I have to admit.

However, Miriam Margolyes in the BBC's version was bang on

She was, wasn't she? I loved her in that role.

And wasn't Sir Pitt's elder son also called Pitt, not Bute?

I always thought I was alone in my admiration for the BBC's version, so am thrilled to learn so many of you rate it highly too. And to those who haven't seen it, I urge you to seek it out, it really will be worth your while.

Seconded.

As Rockerfella says - it is the dog's bollox superb! Perfectly cast, superbly acted, outstandingly adapted.

I don’t mind Martin Clunes in appearance, they’ve made him grubby enough for my liking, what they haven’t done is make him mean enough. I want to see really evil bastard Martin Clunes.

That scene with Becky being all lovely and fun with the two Miss Crawleys no no no NO NO. Why are they making her appear to have capacity for kindness. She doesn’t give a tiny shiny shit about them in the book, they are just another stepping stone on her climb upwards. Her indifference and corresponding neglect and cruelty of children are important elements to help understand her true nature.

Still enjoying it though, I'm easily pleased by anything period drama and perversely finding enormous pleasure chunnering away to dd1 in the advert breaks how “well it’s not like THAT in the book.”