Classics for Contemporaries with David Copperfield

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

Charles Dickens's book about David Copperfield, according to the author himself, is partly an autobiography. Maybe that's why the novel about an unfortunate, but insanely bright boy gained popularity even during Dickens's life, and readers from young to old admired both David himself and the rest of the characters. Even F. M. Dostoevsky and L. N. Tolstoy were "fans" of this work. Lev Nikolaevich even considered the novel one of the best educational books. The many screen adaptations, theatrical productions and book references are proof that Dickens' novel is really a worthy thing, which will be discussed in this review of the 2020 film The Personal History of David Copperfield. reviews and opinions on this project are welcome.

Classics that will interest contemporaries

The director Armando Iannucci ("The Thick of Events", "In the Noose", "Death of Stalin") managed to do something that many more venerable colleagues, behind whom dozens, if not hundreds of pictures, cannot do - to make an absolutely classic novel interesting to watch for modern viewers. Brilliant moves and transitions begin with the very first frames of "The Story of David Copperfield" and remain with the audience until the credits.

Spoiler alert! At the moment when the main character, who is also the storyteller, leaves the stage for his own past, he recalls the equally cool film "Where Dreams May Come" with pictures in which the heroes of the film fall after death. And this is just one moment worthy for the viewer to stand up and shout: "Bravo!" regardless of whether he is in the cinema hall or sitting on the couch at home.

With the help of costume designers, imagination and brilliant acting, we are transported to the Nest. Yes, this is the name of the estate in which the main character was born. The fact that he was born almost immediately after the death of his father does not particularly sadden David, because his absence is made up for by a caring mother and a colorful maid.

Everything goes on as usual, until the stepfather appears in the Copperfield house - the arrogant and power-loving Mr. Murdstone. It was after his appearance that the boy's life did not change for the better. Poverty, extraordinary adventures, friends who will betray him, and people who will lend their shoulders in difficult times await him. And, perhaps, all that is given to him to live, not “for what”, but for “something”. For example, in order to write a good book about it one day.

What is the most important thing in a film adaptation? Details. Or rather, details that are capable of creating a complete picture of a work in front of the public, like a puzzle, regardless of whether a person has read the work or not.

Characters and heroes

Perhaps Charles Dickens would have laughed heartily at how many representatives of various nationalities appeared in this film adaptation, but modern realities dictate their own laws, including in cinema. Although it is worth noting that if you do not know the description of the appearance of this or that character in the book, then the film has just a brilliant cast who played their roles from the first to the last frame.

The main role went to Dev Patel ("The Lion", "Modern Love", "The Man Who Knew Infinity"). The actor became popular after the release of "Slumdog Millionaire" and every year he only strengthens his position in Hollywood.

The appearance of Tilda Swinton ("The Dead Don't Die", "The Mysterious Story of Benjamin Button") causes a pleasant surprise in the frame, but over time you realize that no one could play Copperfield's eccentric aunt so subtly.

Hugh Laurie's performance (Sense and Sensibility, Street Kings) is no less surprising and delightful. Who would have imagined that someday a little older Doctor House would launch his thoughts on a kite into the sky. Moreover, he (or, more precisely, Mr. Dick in his performance) will do it with such inspiration that it’s just right to go and start doing the same.

Ainarin Bernard ("War and Peace", "Dunkirk") and Ben Whishaw ("Cloud Atlas", "Empty Crown") after the very first scenes seem to be the real villains, although it would seem that before that the guys had a lot of positive roles.

The actors involved in general can be listed for a long time: here are Gwendoline Christie, and Peter Capaldi, and Benedict Wong, and Ruby Bentall, and many others. But on the whole, we can already draw a certain conclusion: the film turned out, and, moreover, the film turned out not vanilla and did not fit into Hollywood templates.

This is both the director's and the actor's merit, and the overwhelming work of decorators, costume designers, screenwriters. All of them managed to do an important thing - to shoot “The Story of David Copperfield” (2020) in such a way that, like a good book, a pleasant aftertaste remains for a long time.