Great Expectations: Movie Review

Great Expectations: Movie Review

Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane, Jeremy Irvine, Holliday Grainger, Jason Flemyng, David Walliams
Director: Mike Newell

An adaptation of Charles Dickens' 13th novel, and the umpteenth film version of it, Great Expectations is, of course, the story of Pip and Estella.

War Horse's Irvine plays Pip, the apprentice of a blacksmith (played with considerable charm by Jason Flemyng) whose life is changed by his introduction to Miss Havisham (Bonham Carter) and her daughter Estella (a porcelain doll like Grainger).

Pip comes from a more humble background and after falling for the distant and aloof Estella, decides he wants to be a gentleman to woo her. Fortunately for him, without warning, he's told by Jaggers (Coltrane) that he's come into a considerable fortune and will be trained as a gentleman.

But Pip's journey to thaw the cold heart of Estella is a long and arduous one, fraught with troubles and conflict.

Great Expectations is a solid, if unspectacular telling of the Dickens' story. It's perfectly serviceable, relatively watchable and yet utterly unoriginal as it spools out over 2 hours.

The leads are okay; perfunctory in many cases and Estella's coldness and brutal approach seems at odds to someone who's supposed to be a romantic lead. Irvine is equally fine as Pip, but there's never a real sense of engagement or connection with them or their respective plights.

The supporting cast are solid and committed to their roles, from the formulaic film from within the BBC films mould - and out of all of them , it's perhaps Flemyng who impresses the most as Joe, Pip's friend and adopter. He brings a warmth and heart to the role that borders on heartbreaking when Pip turns his back on him. Likewise Bonham Carter is good as the initially eccentric and ultimately sad Miss Havisham and Fiennes adds an edgy energy to his Abel Magwitch.

Despite being sumptuously costumed, and making the most of the English countryside for sweeping establishing shots, I'm afraid to say Newell adds little to this film, rendering more a kind of film likely to be loved by fans of the book but feeling to others like yet another adaptation to sit through as part of an English class.

Great Expectations promises high expectations given the talent involved - and while it's relatively straight forward as a period drama and adaptation, it's unfortunately nothing new and original. Though, I suspect those longing for a good solid period drama will be enthralled by it.

Rating: