Easy Virtue

Stephan Elliott (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) directs this very English adaptation of Noel Coward’s play. Larita (Jessica Biel) arrives at her new in-laws’ house to find that the British do not always appreciate an attractive American, especially in 1921, and especially if she has just married their only son. Kristin Scott Thomas is uptightness incarnate as Mrs. Whittaker, matronly mistress of the country house where young John Whittaker (Ben Barnes) arrives with his unexpected bride. There’s knickerless dancing, motorcycle hunting and some accidental dog-killing as two continents try to become one. This is not as snappy as the best of Coward, but it’s completely diverting for its 93 minutes.