This movie had me when I saw Dev Patel and Hugh Laurie were in it... it was a cute adaptation. It was a breath of fresh air to see the diverse cast and roles they played. If you like whimsical flicks then you should enjoy this!
Watching this movie was a drag. A disappointment because I love everyone involved in this movie.
A charming film with potty British humour - Tilda Swinton kicking a donkey... what more do you need? 7/10
A whimsical - and delightful - Copperfieldish story told with charm and wit
Enjoy!
If it’s possible, this is a lighthearted popcorn film that is also a faithful adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel.
I think a lot of people expect more from Dickens than he was prepared to give. This movie was a series of satirical, funny, sad, painful, hopeful character sketches. If that’s what Dickens means to you, this adaptation will scratch that itch. If you’re looking for a strong narrative, or a faithful reproduction of a notoriously unadaptable series-novel, then you will be disappointed.
Similarly, if you are expecting another Iannucci tour de force, you will also be disappointed, but you may enjoy the craftwork. He really did a great job bringing the thematic loops of the novel to the big screen, although he obviously was forced to cut some character arcs out to barely make the two hour mark. As a consolation, he performs some very fun metanarrative tricks that never removed me from the reality of the action.
Either way, it contains some excellent sets and costumes as well as some modern luminaries of British cinema having a good time.
Bizarrely enough, the scale felt huge while the budget felt small. Do studios not yet realize that Armando Iannucci is a modern satirical genius?
I enjoyed watching this movie, but I would be selective in recommending it. I suppose that’s true of the novel itself.
Movie is getting a pass based on its casting. Terrible. Adapting a novel should not presuppose you read the novel. They don't identify the characters by name then endlessly discuss them when off screen. Uhhhhh...that doesn't work with a movie with this many characters. Boring and unfunny to boot.
You had nothing, then you had something. Now, you got nothing again. So, stands to right you'll have something again.
(Synopsis of the movie)
The weirdest story of a magician ever. They really just took the story of the famous modern illusionist and put the Dickens into him.
Strange that there was no magic in it, though, but in the other hand, there was some in it throughout.
(Equally as odd, though lesser so, was the appearance of Uriah Heep, who did not have long hair or even sing "Easy Livin'".)
i've tried to watch it for educational purposes but ohhh boy what a waste of time :confused:
This movie was so unbelievably bad on every level.
Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell were always going to have a task at hand without worrying about what a few dyed-in-the-wool racists think about having a black actor playing a white actor’s mum and that task is the same as anyone who tries to commit well-loved Dickens novel to the cinema. It the fact that the length of a film cannot fit all the nuance and intricacies of most, if not all, of Dickens novels.
So we end up with quick cuts, exclusions and skimming from the original text, so as it ever was.
Iannucci is well known for his scalpel-sharp wit and take on both modern and historical politics showing it up for all of its redundancy, pomp and ridiculousness but clearly the modern world and our glorious leaders have made his take on this redundant. So why not to Dickens who stories were equally scapel sharp, astute comments on Victorian Britain?
This take on David Copperfield flows with an eccentric oddball humour from the off and we are swept along with some speed through the title character’s trials and tribulations. Unfortunately this is at the expense of supporting characters so we only get thumbnail sketches of them and it depends on the skill of the actor whether you connect with the person on the screen. Due to some excellent casting and some great locations in general the film gets away with it.
Dev Patel is uniformly excellent in anything he puts his hand to and his kind-hearted and honest David Copperfield is no exception and luckily he is ably supported by Peter Capaldi as an unlikely Mr. Micawber, as optimistic as ever, and a myriad of experienced and talented actors from Hugh Laurie, in a role that seems to have been waiting for Hugh Laurie over the years, Tilda Swinton carrying on her quest to seemingly play only strange and eccentric people, and the aforementioned Rosalind Eleazar as Agnes who captured all attention as soon as he appeared on the screen for me. Ben Whishaw must be mentioned in dispatches as everyone’s favourtie slimey, hang-wringing Uriah Heep, black hat firmly in place but oddly just enough sympathy at the closing stages of the film.
The problem is not in the direction, writing, cinematography, sets or acting but rather the material and after enjoying and watching The Personal History of David Copperfield you feel as if some large part of it was left on the editing floor, it wasn’t it was simply this was storytelling pared down to fit in with cinema running times and modern audiences.
As such the film did a good job and all those involved such proud and pleased with their efforts, Unfortunately though, and I say this with a heavy-heart being an admirer of Armando Innaunci, this film proved to me that David Copperfield would be best served with a high-value production TV series with enough episodes to do the story justice.
Still fun enough for a Sunday afternoon viewing with all the family
It's the story we know and love, but shot through with the quirkiness you would expect from Iannucci. Occasionally a little too farcical, but with the excellent cast, it's always enjoyable.
An original and colorful adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. The director brings dynamism, and offers a modern look that fits well with the story. This view also includes the use of actors from different ethnic groups, which offers a political vision, like almost all Iannucci's projects. It is a delight to see these great actors let their hair down with their characters.
This was really fun and magical. I just love Dev Patel to pieces!!!!!
Such a beautifully shot movie. Well casted. Great performances all around.
Shout by Alan Stingyal PigottBlockedParent2020-01-28T01:44:36Z
That's the way to make a period movie!
No lingering shots of the expensive, beautiful sets & costumes.(But they are still noticed) no slow, drawn out clippety cloppety horse carriages,.
not a single dull moment.
Gorgeous, riveting, hilarious, heart-warming
It's has some, dashings (but not full on) of those 'Moulin rouge' madness scenes.
Filled with the cream of British film industry.