British period dramas usually tend to fall under two categories: traditional or contemporary. The former risks being boring while the latter risks being obnoxious. Vanity Fair, the miniseries, thankfully falls somewhere in the middle. It sticks to the source by presenting Emma Sharpe as an unapologetic social climber, but expounds her character so that we sympathize with her circumstances. Of course she’s cunning, she has to be in order to survive. Of course she’s a flirt, she wasn’t raised to be as conservative as her contemporaries. Because of updates like these, the series feels invigorating and refreshing to watch, even though rags-to-riches and princess-and-the-pauper-like stories have been told many times. Often, it veers towards soapy territory, but it’s nonetheless fun and exciting (and sparkly for avid gown fans!) to watch.
Synopsis
In a world where everyone is striving for what is not worth having, no one is more determined to climb to the heights of English society than Becky Sharp.
Storyline
Based on the novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, this seven-part miniseries tells the story of how an educated orphan rises the ranks of London’s rigid social class with nothing but her beauty and wits.
TLDR
If exciting period dramas were a spectrum, this would fall right in between Bridgerton and Downton Abbey.
What stands out
I love the drama. Everyone wants Ms. Sharp on their side, and understandably so!
