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Vanity Fair Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Vanity Fair

Release Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2004

Director: Mira Nair

Starring: Reese Witherspoon James Purefoy Aileen Atkins Jim Broadbent Gabriel Byrne

PG-13 Drama 2 hrs, 17 m

  • 2.5 / 5.0
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Plot – What's the story about?

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Plot
Set in early 19th-century London. The daughter of a starving English artist and a French chorus girl, Becky is orphaned at a young age. Even as a child, she yearns for a more glamorous life than her birthright promises. As she leaves Miss Pinkerton's Academy at Chiswick, Becky resolves to conquer English society by any means possible. She deploys all of her wit, guile, and sexuality as she makes her way up into high society during the first quarter of the 19th century. Becky's ascension to the heights of society commences when she gains employment as governess to the daughters of eccentric Sir Pitt Crawley. Becky wins over the children, and the Crawley family's rich spinster Aunt Matilda as well. The rural Hampshire household comes to find her indispensable, and Matilda comes to confide in the bright young woman. But Becky knows that she cannot be a true part of English society until she moves to the city. When Matilda invites her to come live in London, Becky eagerly accepts. There, Becky is reunited with her best friend Amelia Sedley, who-having grown up comfortably—does not share Becky's more brazen ambitions. Hewing close to the family she already knows so well, Becky secretly marries dashing heir Rawdon Crawley but when Matilda discovers their union, she casts the newlyweds out. When Napoleon invades Europe, Rawdon bravely reports to the front lines. Pregnant Becky stands by distraught newlywed Amelia, whose own husband George Osborne is also called to fight. When George does not survive the Battle of Waterloo, Becky's friendship with Amelia is strained beyond repair. Becky is reunited with Rawdon and gives birth to a boy, but, post-war, money and comforts are sparse for the trio. More intent than ever on gaining acceptance into London society and living well, Becky finds a patron in the powerful Marquess of Steyne. Steyne's whims enable Becky to realize her dreams, but the ultimate cost may be too high for her.
Drama Historical

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Who stars in Vanity Fair – Cast List

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Who is making Vanity Fair – Crew List

A look at Vanity Fair behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Mira Nair last helmed Queen of Katwe and The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The film's writer Julian Fellowes last penned Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Director
Mira Nair
Screenwriter
Producers
Janette Day
Donna Gigliotti
Lydia Dean Pilcher
Production Companies

Production – What we know about the Vanity Fair

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Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Completed

Changed Vanity Fair movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating
PG-13 Parents Strongly Cautioned for some sensuality/partial nudity, and a brief violent image
Runtime
2 hrs, 17 m
Tagline
Not available
Also known as
Not available
Language
English
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Vanity Fair Trailers and Clips

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Vanity Fair Release Date: When was the film released?

Vanity Fair was released in on Wednesday, September 1 , 2004.

Vanity Fair DVD & Blu-ray Release Date

Vanity Fair is scheduled to be released on DVD and Blu-ray on . Availability may vary by region. Pre-order your copy of Vanity Fair today on Amazon.

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  • United States

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On DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Release

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