It may not be the best film of the year, but Easy Virtue is entertaining, fun, well played and above all–it swings. Having recently premiered at Rome’s Festival del Cinema, the movie is set in the thirties and tells of a young English Lord who returns to his family home with his new wife, Larita (played by Jessica Biel). Larita is a sexy and independent racing driver who also happens to be older, divorced and American…much to her mother-in-law Veronica’s despair.

From the day she meets her, the well-mannered Veronica–who’s already struggling with her own marriage– will do everything she can to make Larita leave the house without her son. In her battle to be accepted, Larita will, little by little, become despised by the whole family, except perhaps by her marginal and unshaven father-in-law (Colin Firth). For those of you having troubles with your mother-in-law, you will definitely recognize yourself in this film.

But Easy Virtue is above all a story about the post-war times and how deeply it can affect lives, beyond its end. It’s also a story about romance, love and feelings, underlining the differences between love in a virgin heart and love in a heart that has suffered. Because behind those light, funny and sometimes very naive characters lies a failure in each of them, which is slowly unveiled.

The costumes, the music and the sets are breathtaking, and will throw you back into the charming atmosphere of the roaring twenties. Based upon the originally play by Noël Coward, the movie retains a very theatrical construction and humour. If you’re looking for a light and funny comedy filled with British wit, Easy Virtue is the movie you want to see.

Image courtesy of Bfi.org.uk