October 4, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Chanya Button’s “Vita & Virginia” is a Cinematic Gift to Movie-Going Audiences

While I generally don’t begin a review citing production values, I’m compelled to send a love letter to Chanya Button both for the screenplay, co-written with Dame Eileen Atkins, and for her delicate, but commanding direction of this historic, fascinating true story. Servicing the script with the eye of a fine artist, Director of Photography Carlos de Carvalho, created a highly textured, moody look to the film with each meticulously shot scene a stand-along museum quality painting capturing the lifestyle and times of the bohemian high society of 1920s – the backdrop for the legendary story of two of the most successful 20th century writers – Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf. 

Socialite Vita, played to perfection by Gemma Arterton, captures the essence of her character who is essentially a sexual predator flaunting dalliances with delight. Her mother, Lady Sackville, played with steely perfection by Isabella Rossellini, is disgusted by her behavior and informs her renegade daughter that if she publishes her latest book, all future funds will be cut off. Vita tries to defend herself saying that she dressed up like a man for research purposes, but her excuse falls on deaf ears and at the risk of being cut-off, she stops the printing of the book. Vita’s husband Harold Nicolson, well played by Rupert Penry-Jones, is a kind, considerate man who understands his wife’ sexuality and generally rescues Vita from her latest paramour. He is a diplomat and needs her to pretend that she is a devoted loving wife, which she reluctantly does, while at the same time indulges her sexual desires with women.  

At a party, Vita sees the enigmatic Virginia Woolf, played to perfection by Elizabeth Debicki, who mines the deepest recesses of her character’s psyche capturing her nuances and insecurities. She is dancing and their eyes lock on each other. Virginia asks Vita why her books sell more than hers and Vita quips, “Popularity is never a sign of genius.” Immediately smitten with the elusive famous writer, Vita asks if she would go away with her, which Virginia initially declines. With her hooks set out to capture the elusive and seemingly troubled Virginia, they begin to exchange letters and in one scene in a greenhouse bursting with a profusion of vibrant, glorious colors, Vita gives her prey a pair of matching sunglasses. There could be a metaphor here perhaps looking through the world through tinted glasses. Although the attraction is growing, Virginia resists the famous author’s advances and is constantly beset with the thought that something is wrong with her. Virginia’s devoted, most understanding husband Leonard Woolf, wonderfully played by Peter Ferdinando, who, despite knowing his wife is probably bisexual, is protective of her well being.  It is interesting that each of these women have husbands who adore and protect them and when necessary, accept their attraction to the same sex. Overwhelmed with her infatuation with Vita, Virginia suffers a nervous breakdown. Her doctor thinks her writing is causing her problem commenting, “Women can’t cope.” Vita tries to see Virginia but the family does not allow it. She tells them she would like to take Virginia home with her to restore her health. At first they refuse but subsequently agree to her proposal. In a beautifully crafted scene, they finally make love. Vita wants her newest paramour to leave her husband and run away with her but Virginia says she can’t because “Leonard keeps me grounded and I love him.” In an emotional, but somehow transformative moment for Virginia, Vita arrives at a gallery opening arm in arm with Mary Campbell played by Thalia Heffernan. The shock of seeing them together drives this vulnerable writer to the edge of a river and for a moment it looked as though she was going to commit suicide. * But instead, Virginia uses Vita as her muse to create a new character who begins as a man and transforms into a woman or as she puts it, “The story of a hero who turns out to be a heroine.” The title of the book was “Orlando” which, like most of her books, is a literary success.** Writing the book was a cathartic experience and as a result, the attraction to Vita takes on a different complexion. 

Vita & Virginia is director Button’s second film, the first one being BURN BURN BURN, which won multiple awards from film festivals around the world. Her current film is a stunningly crafted period piece with a compelling narrative, lush costumes, bucolic settings, a talented cast, each of whom delivers a fully actualized performance, with all the components guided through her skillful direction. Let’s hope this gifted auteur has a third film in the works.

Vita & Virginia”
Director: Chanya Button
Screenplay: Eileen Atkins & Chanya Button
Studio: IFC Films
Producers: Katie Holly, Blinder Films; Evangelo Kioussis, Mirror Productions
Director of Photography: Carlos de Carvalho
Editor: Mark Trend
Production Designer: Noam Piper
Composer: Isobel Waller-Bridge
Art Director: Neill Treacy, Natalie O’Connor
Costume Desiner: Lorna Mugan
Set Decorator: Therese O’Leary
Genre: Drama, Romance
Language: English
Running Time: 110 minutes
Rating: NR
Vita & Virgina available On Disc/Streaming
*Virginia Woolf actually committed suicide on March 28, 1941. She drowned herself in the River Ouse by putting rocks in her coat pockets.
**Woolf’s most famous work is the book-length essay “A Room of One’s Own.”

Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...