Vanity Fair (2004): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Vanity Fair is a 2004 romantic drama directed by Mira Nair, starring Gabriel Byrne, Reese Witherspoon and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. It is partly based on Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray and John Carey. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes and earned $19.5 million worldwide on a $23 million budget. Critics gave it 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 21m (141 min)
- Director
- Mira Nair
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Focus Features
- Budget
- $23M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Vanity Fair About?
The premise of Vanity Fair without spoilers, adapted from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray and John Carey. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 19th-century England, Becky Sharp is a determined young woman who sets out to rise above her modest background and enter the world of the aristocracy. Her ambition and wit lead her through a complex landscape of wealth, power, and romance. She forms alliances and rivals as she pursues status and love, ultimately marrying the charming but flawed Rawdon Crawley. Becky’s journey reveals the deceptive nature of high society and the price one pays for social climbing.
Vanity Fair Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- female protagonist
- napoleonic wars
- 19th century
- period drama
- singing girl
- satire
- satirical
- female rear nudity
- female director
- female filmmaker
- 1820s
- 1830s
+38 more Show fewer
- female frontal nudity
- female pubic hair
- english
- singer
- aristocrat
- painting
- painter
- governess
- regency period
- f rated
- vomiting
- class differences
- newlywed
- fireplace
- bedridden
- medicine
- saree
- toast
- ambition
- fencing
- rapier
- pedicure
- fainting
- servant
- physician
- playing cards
- chandelier
- pet dog
- french lesson
- subtitles
- tutor
- class system
- performer
- letter
- stagecoach
- entertainer
- pavilion
- soldier
Where to Watch Vanity Fair
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Vanity Fair Cast
Gabriel Byrne leads the cast, with Reese Witherspoon and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Directed by Mira Nair; 4 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Mira Nair
Vanity Fair Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Vanity Fair 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 53 Metascore
User score 5.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 58% User score
See on TMDB
Vanity Fair Plot Summary
What happens in Vanity Fair from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film Vanity Fair (2004) brings to life one of the most cherished 19th-century novels, penned by William Makepeace Thackeray, who was a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens. The story begins by introducing us to our two protagonists, Rebecca Sharp and Amelia Sedley, who share a close friendship as they are on the verge of graduating from an Academy for Young Ladies. Amelia, hailing from a wealthy family, is characterized by her kindness and innocence, which endears her to her classmates and earns her the admiration of her teachers.
Full summary
The whole story of Vanity Fair, scene by scene
Vanity Fair Box Office & Budget
Vanity Fair grossed $19.5 million worldwide on a $23 million budget, 85% of what it cost. $16.1 million came from the US and Canada and $3.3 million (17%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$19.5M
85% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $16.1M
- International
- $3.3M
- Budget
- $23M
Vanity Fair Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.
- Clip Becky is Kissed by Rawdon at Night's End
- Clip Becky & Rawdon Embrace Each Other Before He Departs for Battle
- Clip The Pepper
- Clip Reese Witherspoon Performs 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal'
How Well Do You Know Vanity Fair?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the clever and resourceful orphan at the center of Vanity Fair?
Vanity Fair Also Known As
25 alternative titles, including “Vanity Fair - La fiera della vanità” and “浮华世界”.
- Also known as
-
- Vanity Fair - La fiera della vanità
- 浮华世界
- 浮華新世界
- La Feria de las Vanidades (Vanity Fair)
- Feira das Vaidades
- 배너티 페어
- 허영의 시장
- 베니티 페어
- Vanity Fair - Jahrmarkt der Eitelkeiten
- La fiera della vanità
- Ярмарка тщеславия
- La feria de las vanidades
+13 more Show fewer
- 名利场
- Targowisko próżności
- Vanity Fair : La Foire aux vanités
- Hiúság vására
- יריד ההבלים
- Jarmark marnosti
- Панаир на суетата
- Ярмарок марнославства
- Gurur Dünyası
- Trh márnivosti
- Vanidad
- Το Παιχνίδι του Έρωτα
- Bâlciul deșertăciunilor, ამაოების ბაზარი
Seen Vanity Fair?
Movies Like Vanity Fair
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Vanity Fair FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Vanity Fair, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Vanity Fair?
Vanity Fair runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).
When was Vanity Fair released?
Vanity Fair was released on September 1, 2004.
Who directed Vanity Fair?
Vanity Fair was directed by Mira Nair.
More films by Mira Nair Who is in the cast of Vanity Fair?
Vanity Fair stars Gabriel Byrne, Reese Witherspoon and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, among 4 credited actors.
Where can I watch Vanity Fair?
In the US, Vanity Fair is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Vanity Fair make at the box office?
Vanity Fair grossed $19.5 million worldwide ($16.1 million domestic, $3.3 million international) on a budget of $23 million.
How is Vanity Fair rated?
Vanity Fair has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 53 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.
Is Vanity Fair based on a book?
Yes. Vanity Fair is partly adapted from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray and John Carey.
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