Easy Virtue - PG

****

ACTORS, generally, should stick to what they're good at.

So I'll be the first to admit that "period drama starring Jessica Biel" sounds about as promising as "sex comedy starring Abu Hamza".

But it turns out that ol' eye candy Jess has a few more talents than the ones she begged Adam Sandler to squeeze in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

In this revamp of a little- known 1920s Noel Coward play (bear with me, it gets better), Jessica stars as Larita, a glossy-haired American strumpet who marries into a clan of English toffs.

Narnia's Ben Barnes is most delighted with his new bride -as you'd imagine-but the rest of the family, including Colin Firth as Dad and a terrifyingly frosty Kristin Scott Thomas as Mum, are less chuffed.

It's Meet The Parents for ponces, in short.

Romp

But the lush scenery, rapid gag rate and cracking performances from Jessica and Kristin make this a cut above yer typical cozzie romp.

Truth is, both the female leads are fantastic.

Jessica reveals hitherto unseen talents that finally distinguish her from dimwit namesakes Alba and Simpson.

And Kristin Scott Thomas must be one of the safest pairs of hands in the business right now.

Top marks for whoever decided to get some of the cast to sing ace 1920s' versions of Sex Bomb, Car Wash and When the Going Gets Tough on the soundtrack.

And also, in the wake of Mamma Mia, to whoever convinced Colin Firth not to join in.

Easy Virtue's a great mix of sophistication and sauce-all stately homes and fox-hunting but not above the occasional knob gag.

After the strait-laced sighs and traumas trotted out by Brideshead Revisited and The Duchess, it's fun to watch a period drama that's, y'know, fun to watch.

OUT FRIDAY

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