Writer: David Nicholls (Screenplay) Charles Dickens (Novel)
Starring: Toby Irvine, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng, Sally Hawkins, William Ellis, David Walliams, Jeremy Irvine, Helena Bonham Carter
Plot: A humble orphan suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Classic story
Story: Great Expectation starts as we meet the orphaned boy Pip, living with his sister and brother in law Joe (Flemyng) a blacksmith raising Pip to be his assistant. After Pip learns of a better life he dreams of becoming a gentleman in London after spending time with Miss Havisham (Carter) and her own orphan Estella.
Now a young man Pip (Irvine) gets to move back to the city after an unknow inheritance, so leaving his family and friends behind, Pip gets to start on the road to becoming a gentleman. Pip finds himself needing to learning the hierarchy of the wealthy as he also wants to know who gave him the chance to become one of the gentlemen of the city and even after his childhood sweetheart Estella (Grainger) returns to his life, love takes over his life.
Thoughts on Great Expectation
Characters/Performance – Pip is a young man who dreamt of being a gentleman in London, but achieve this he must learn a new way, forget his past and even find himself wondering about who put him in a position of power while dealing with love. Magwitch is a prisoner that Pip helped at a young age and a man that comes back into the life to learn the truth about the past. Miss Havisham is a lonely woman left heartbroken after being conned and left at the alter, she has been teaching Estella about the ways of the man, teaching her to never love. Estella is the young woman that Pip falls in love with when they are children and no as adults doesn’t believe she has a heart even though Pip wants to love her.
Performance wise, we have a very impressive cast that all give us wonderful performances fitting into the period piece that this film is.
Story – This is one of Charles Dickens classics tales and one I was unfamiliar with, so I thought I would give it a go. This story shows the social hierarchy during the early 19 century, this is one that has forbidden love, revenge and a position of what would be the right thing in life. I do feel this is one story people should be enjoy even if this might not be the best version.
Romance – The romance side of this comes from Pip falling for Estella and is left wondering if he could fall in love during a time when status would put people together.
Settings – Each setting makes us believe we are in the time the film is set whether it be the small marsh like area of the city of London.
Final Thoughts – Classic story and one that goes in a direction you could only find yourself wanting to know more about.
Overall: A must watch for classic literature fans.
Rating