(7) EASY VIRTUE with Colin Firth, Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Barnes, Kris Marshall and Katherine Parkinson. Directed by Stephan Elliott. (Uptown Theatres) Reviewed by Catherine Richards

JESSICA Biel has never struck me as the leading lady type but I was pleasantly surprised by her performance in this sophisticated art film set in the 1920s.

Biel stars as sexy siren Larita, a fast thinking, smooth talking modern woman who is not afraid to wear the pants in relationships and drive fast cars for a living.

After a whirlwind romance, Larita marries the very sweet and naive John Whittaker (Ben Barnes).

Bittersweet comical mayhem ensues when the young Englishman brings his new bride to meet his uptight family at their English countryside estate.

His mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) runs the house with an iron fist but this is challenged when Larita refuses to bow to her demands and challenges their way of life with her contemporary lifestyle and opinions.

This film is dialogue-heavy and character-driven bringing a seriousness to the film, which is rounded out with the 1920s soundtrack, clever wit and its typically ironic British humour.

Biel was delightful in her role and Scott Thomas is grand as the matriarch.

The cinematography is great, with sweeping views of the English countryside.

A must for the discerning art house film lover.