I watched this right after the 1932 version of the same story (there titled "Vanity Fair"). The one big difference is that the 1932 film was a drama, this is a comedy. The other important difference is that this was made in 1935 and therefore the material is defanged by the Code. Miriam Hopkins is miscast (she looks too old for a girl just starting out), but she is attractive and energetic; some of the supporting players overact appallingly. The story is aimless; at least the 1932 film (which is superior) made a point, with which you could agree or disagree. Even the colors don't look very vivid - though that might be a fault of the DVD print I watched. ** out of 4.
Review of Becky Sharp
