THE PLOT: Noel Coward’s comedy across the class divide is revived with a fresh-faced jaunt into the British countryside.John Whittaker (Barnes) returns to his family’s stately pile with his new bride, sexy American racing-car driver Larita (Biel).

His sisters are terribly impressed by the outspoken new addition to the clan, and his war-wounded father Jim (Firth) seems charmed too.

But John’s neurotic mother Veronica (Thomas) makes her disapproval obvious – she’s always believed her golden boy should have married one of the neighbours’ daughters.

Larita tries her best to fit in with her less-than-genial hostess, quietly suffering the freezing English weather, but tensions quickly escalate – especially when Larita dares to fraternise with butler Furber (Marshall), and Veronica blatantly tries to drive a wedge between the newly-weds.

THE VERDICT: Easy Virtue is easy on the eye and the ear, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and an embarrassment of quips.

Jessica Biel is a revelation in her leading role as a glamorous fish out of water, managing to combine elegance and vulnerability with slapstick to often hilarious effect.

A macabre set-piece involving the ill-fated family dog is a particularly treat, although the director does let it run slightly longer than necessary.

The great and the good of the British acting establishment relish the pithy dialogue in supporting roles.

But rising star Ben Barnes (The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian) is poorly served as the prodigal son caught between his heart and his heritage.

Rating: 6/10

• Release Date: Friday 7 November 2008
• Certificate: PG
• Runtime: 96mins

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