Before there was Scarlett O’Hara, William Makepeace Thackeray introduced a similar female character in his classic novel, Vanity Fair. Her name? Becky Sharp. Reese Witherspoon takes her turn at bringing this ambitious young woman to life in a new movie version scheduled to grace the nation’s multiplexes in September. (But remember, release dates are always subject to change.)

Witherspoon becomes the eighth actress to play Thackeray’s unscrupulous charmer on film. Perhaps the best known is Miriam Hopkins, who appeared as Becky Sharp in the first full-feature Technicolor movie back in 1935. Prior to that, Mabel Ballin (1923), Minnie Madden (1915), Helen Gardner (1911), and Myrna Loy (1932) each portrayed Becky in theatrical film adaptations of “Vanity Fair.” In addition, two actresses -- Susan Hampshire and Natasha Little (who also appears as another character in the 2004 film) -- have starred in TV offerings based on Thackeray’s novel.         

Witherspoon seems an excellent choice for this coveted role. In Election, she displayed (and quite convincingly) some of Becky Sharp’s characteristics as Tracy Flick, a student who would do anything to win a class office.  As Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, she reminded us not to underestimate the power of a clever and beautiful woman. Because Becky Sharp, who uses her wiles to climb the social ladder in pre-Victorian London, incorporates all these qualities and then some, Witherspoon should be totally believable as Thackeray’s bad girl we love to love.

Directed by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding), this new Vanity Fair looks gorgeous in the previews. Colorful period costumes and sets plus lush cinematography promise an entertaining trip back to London during the Napoleonic wars. I'm definitely up for the journey.   

(Photo: Focus Features. All rights reserved.)