MovieChat Forums > Vanity Fair (2004) Discussion > James Purefoy - SPOILERS

James Purefoy - SPOILERS

posted 16 years ago by Lil_Kleopatra
10 replies | jump to latest

Is it just me or is he incredibly hot, extremely talented and seemingly deserved a better end in the film?

I was a bit disapointed that we never get to see his death or what his final days were like. Was he a tortured soul, still pining for Becky but too proud to go back to her???

I would have liked for more closure there, not a mere passing comment by Amelia about Rawdon getting tropical fever and it not being Becky's fault....

I'll have to read the book to see what the original author had in mind about Rawdon's character. (then again, the final scene between Rawdon and Becky seems very "Gone With The Wind", frankly my dear I don't give a damn-esque to me; so I do like that...)

Purefoy is pure delight to watch!!

(I fell in love with him from HBO's perfect and groundbreaking series, 'Rome', and just HAD to rent this film to see him again!)

[–] Unwanted_Birdtamer 16 years ago

In the book, Rawdon dies about 10 years or so after getting to the island, not right away like it made it seem in the film. He isn't mentioned much at all after he goes off to the tropics. He is initially extremely upset and heart-broken, but also upset that he was played for a fool. He even tries to challenge Steyne to a duel, although it doesn't happen. Rawdon then gets the commission to go be governor of Coventry Island, and leaves the England and doesn't return. He continues to send a yearly allowance to Becky, but other than that has no contact with her, or she with him.

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[–] iseepinkelefants 14 years ago

I enjoyed his part as well. I watched it a few times for him alone. He gave the movie humor (like the scene after Pitt dies and he's seen rolling his eyes and mumbling to himself) and romance. He looked so handsome when he arrived on the island at the end. Mitchell certainly borrowed heavily from this novel when making Gone with the Wind. He was just like Rhett (who was also the voice of reason, comedic, romantic and dashing). I guess that explains why I fell in love with Rawdon's character. I even got a little teary when he left and later died. She was a stupid woman. I know he wasn't a good provider, and I guess love really wasn't enough, but that doesn't change the fact that he really did care for her (I hated Scarlett for that reason too, except in her case Rhett provided very well for her. She gave it all up for that passive wimp Ashley).

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[–] randommovies2002 14 years ago

Although I think Purefoy did a great job with what he had to work with, in the mini, the handsome Nathaniel Parker's portrayal of Rawdon is much more fleshed out.

[–] thatsnumberwang 14 years ago

But c'mon random, how HOT was JP as Rawdon?

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[–] randommovies2002 14 years ago

Hi BettyYeah, he's totally hot, but you have to admit that the part wasn't as good as in the miniseries version. Have you seen Nathanial Parker in the role? Totally hot as well!

[–] angelosdaughter 13 years ago

Tolstoy's Anna Kerenina" and Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" contain plot elements and characters similar to 'Gone With the Wind" as well. I made it my project three years ago to read "Vanity Fair", "Anna Kerenina" and "Madame Bovary", wondering when I was reading each one, if Margaret Mitchell had read them before writing GWTW. All three of the female protagonists were, like Scarlett O'Hara, women who were either born (in the case of Becky Sharpe) or put themselves by their behaviour, outside the pale of their societies. All three loved men considered rogues. Becky was probably the most like Scarlett, surviving by her wits.

[–] randommovies2002 13 years ago

I think it is widely accepted that Mitchell based gwtw on vanity fair, and Scarlett on Rebecca Sharp.

[–] Ilario1 14 years ago

He was so freakin' hot. But I have to be honest I didn't notice his hotness until after Georgie died, lol.

[–] cleopatraxiii 11 years ago

I agree, he is a stunner. And if you have seen "Rome" you know he stuns from head to toe sans clothes.

[–] Rena_Mahone 9 years ago

The man is ridiculously smokin' hot. Can't handle it.

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