Stars defend 'Indian' Vanity Fair

Reese Witherspoon says her character needed to be updated

The film version of Vanity Fair has been defended by its director and star at Venice Film Festival after a lukewarm reception from critics.

Indian-born director Mira Nair has given the 1848 novel a 'Bollywood' feel and cast American Reese Witherspoon as social-climbing heroine Becky Sharp.

The film only reached number eight at the US box office in its opening week and has left critics unimpressed.

But Nair described the film as a "delicious, ripe mango of a movie".

The film has received mixed reviews following its opening in the US.

The Washington Post commented: "Nair's film doesn't so much end as fall off a cliff."

While the New York Times felt that the attempt to bring a South Asian aspect to the film was "jarring".

"Two outlandish Bollywood-flavoured production numbers in the second half of the film come off as jarring digressions that seem shoehorned in from another movie," said its reviewer.

We didn't want bonnets. We didn't want to make another movie like every other one you've seen Reese Witherspoon

The script, co-written by British screenwriter Julian Fellowes - who won an Oscar for Gosford Park - adds a new ending to the film with Becky Sharp running off for a new life in India.

Nair said Indian elements are a "wink" to author William Makepeace Thackeray, who was born in India.

"If there's anyone who can understand class better than the British, it's probably an Indian person," said Nair, speaking at the Venice Film Festival.

"Becky is full of the vigour, life and mischief to go on for another adventure. Having her go to India is just a wink to Thackeray," she added.

The director, who won the Golden Lion prize in Venice in 2001 for her film Monsoon Wedding, said India was "like a gold thread running through the novel".

'Sassiness'

Legally Blonde star Witherspoon approved of the contemporary screenplay, adding that Becky Sharp needed to be updated so modern audiences could better understand her.

"We didn't want bonnets. We didn't want to make another movie like every other one you've seen," said Witherspoon.

Some critics have complained Witherspoon is too American for the role, but director Nair said this was part of her appeal.

She said: "It was precisely the American energy and sassiness of Reese which attracted me and was incredibly appropriate for Becky Sharp."

The film, which also stars Gabriel Byrne and Rhys Ifans, took only $4.9m (£2.7m) over Labor Day holiday weekend in the US.

Vanity Fair had its European première on Sunday in Venice, where it is a contender for the Golden Lion award.