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Easy Virtue

Role: Larita Whittaker
Released: November 7th, 2008 (UK), May 22nd, 2009 (USA Limited Release)
Directed By: Stephan Elliott
Screenwriter: Noel Coward / Stephan Elliott
Genre: Romantic Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG – 13
Studio: Ealing Studios
Budget: N/A
Domestic Gross: $2,656,784
Foreign Gross: $15,800,330

About the Film

The twenties have roared…the thirties have yet to swing. John Whittaker, a young Englishman, falls madly in love with Larita, a sexy and glamorous American woman, and they marry impetuously. However when the couple returns to the family home, his mother Mrs Whittaker has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter–in–law. Larita tries her best to fit in but fails to tiptoe through the minefield laid by her mother–in–law. Larita quickly realizes Mrs Whittaker‘s game and sees that she must fight back if she‘s to keep hold of John. A battle of wits ensues and sparks soon fly. Mrs Whittaker manipulates every situation to undermine her, while Larita remains frustratingly calm and engineers sassy counter attacks. Before long, Mrs Whittaker‘s manipulation starts to work on John and Larita feels their love is in danger of slipping away. In a grand finale, where the secrets from Larita‘s past are revealed, she finally makes a break for freedom from the suffocating house.

Cast

Colin Firth . . . Mr. Whittaker
Kristin Scott Thomas . . . Mrs. Whittaker
Ben Barnes . . . John Whittaker
Kimberley Nixon . . . Hilda Whittaker

Gallery

Trivia & Facts

- In the vintage Monte Carlo scene which opens the movie, when Larita first sees John both her and John’s movements are slowed down while the rest of the cast play at ‘normal’ (i.e newsreel) speed. This was accomplished by filming the crowd, Larita, John, the background and the foreground mechanics separately against green screen and compositing them together at different speeds.- During the end credits all of the musicians who played in the orchestra featured on the soundtrack are introduced in voice-over simulating the introductions from the bandstand of a live performance, with each musician playing a brief sample.

- When John and Larita drive to the ruined castle and get out of the car, they leave the car doors open. After a head-shot of the two talking to each other, they walk past the car towards the castle, and the driver’s door is now closed.

- When Larita first sees John after the race in Monte Carlo the mechanic in the bottom right of the shot takes his hat off and waves it in the air. A second or so later when she looks back at John, the same mechanic takes his hat off and waves it again indicating the shot was duplicated.

- Both Larita and Marion are seen reading “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” which was not published in England until 1960 (the film is set in the late 1920s or early 1930s). (Of course, Larita could have brought the book with her from the Continent.)

- While in the nursery, John refers to something not scoring Larita any “brownie points.” This phrase did not originate until the 1960s.

Movie Quotes

Larita Whittaker: The pleasure is all mine.
Mrs. Whittaker: Oh, you’re American.

External Links

• IMDb
Additional cast and credits. Plot summary and more.• UK Official Website
The Official UK Website for the film.• Official Website
The official US Website for the film.