MovieChat Forums > Easy Virtue (2009) Discussion > Biel as Larita

Biel as Larita

posted 13 years ago by nshahood
7 replies | jump to latest

I was pleasantly surprised at how well she played Larita. I've never really seen much of her work really, so it's unfair to be surprised but I guess I'm looking at this less biased than the rest who disliked her as the character. In terms of looks, I felt she was a bit too built for a woman of that era, but was otherwise fantastic! The subtle characteristics she brought out in that role were truly charming...all the complainers who were looking for a more dramatic actress for Larita don't understand the character at all (not that it's easy to understand a character which is deliberately mysterious). But she played the character so well. I feel Biel has been underapprieciated mostly due to how the character was purposely made in a way to be the 'misunderstood' one. I related with Larita throughout the whole movie...and 'Larita's' subtle and mysterious nature should not have Biel written off as wooden. If you're one of those who think that way, then you didn't understand Larita all that well.

[–] Everything_Precious 13 years ago

It's hardly fair to tell people if they don't like the performance of Jessica in this film that they don't understand Larita. I like Jessica very much, but in my opinion, she was far from nailing this character down.

I simply couldn't buy her as being older than her husband. They keep harping on her age and experience for almost the entire movie, yet she looks as young as she is. She neither looked older nor did she act older than her husband.

I found nothing mysterious about her, either. Perhaps that is because I didn't pick up on Jessica trying to act mysterious, other than hiding the dog after she sat on it.

I related to the circumstances Larita was in, but I could in no way relate to Jessica's portrayal of her. I think this was a role that was a bit over her talents at this time.

I do like Jessica. I have liked her since her television show 7th Heaven. I'm reminded of how she tried to get out of being in that show and it strikes me that in "Easy Virtue", she was playing herself.

[–] nshahood 13 years ago

I guess you're right about my comment being unfair. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It all narrows down to how everyone interprets Larita and then how Jessica plays that character. And maybe mysterious wouldn't be the right adjective; Larita was a strong woman with 'masculine' traits. In those times that would be very misunderstood by that society. Larita was strong-willed and didn't let emotion show (so she doesn't show weakness). I gotta disagree with the age difference between Larita and her husband. They didn't really 'look' like they had much of a difference but Larita's demeanor did emphasize on the age difference. You can see how naive and optimistic he was compared to her...which was what attracted her to him

[–] tallard 12 years ago

She looked 29-30 ish, he looked 18-19 ish, especially in his undressed scene, there he nearly looks 17ish he is so impish. I felt the portrayed age gap was perfect.

***So I've seen 4 movies/wk in theatre for a 1/4 century, call me crazy?**

[–] tallard 12 years ago

I agree with you, specially on the body assessment :)

***So I've seen 4 movies/wk in theatre for a 1/4 century, call me crazy?**

[–] Rena_Mahone 10 years ago

Jessica is very underrated. There are many other worse actresses around. She's got the looks, the charme and the talent. She did a great job as Larita.

Boycott movies that involve real animal violence! (and their directors too)

[–] Owlnut73 8 years ago

I think she did look a wee bit older then him. She might not have acted older, but I know older people who act younger. I am sure we all do. But you can definally tell. She is more experirnced. John was a momma's boy. In relationships, that is never good. She told him he didn't know what love was. She's right. If he did, he would have listened to her about not wanting to stay with his family, and put her needs first. He didn't do either.

[–] ricky_says_hi 8 years ago

And don't forget the cultural standards at the time. Mid-twenties would be considered older than it is today - as many women were still married before they were even twenty one. Larita's already been married andhad to euthanise her first husband so she's definitely aged mentally if not physically.

I find Jessica Biel to be a very underrated actress. Due to her beauty, she's often stuck in action girl or generic hot chick roles that don't challenge her much. She's not fantastic but she really deserves a lot better than the roles she's been given. Apparently she lobbied hard to play Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. Although Anne Hathaway did a bang up job, I could see Jessica really shining in that.