1. brief: The Personal History of David Copperfield is a movie starring Dev Patel, Hugh Laurie, and Tilda Swinton. A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles
2. Directed by: Armando Iannucci
3. writed by: Simon Blackwell
4. 7192 vote
5. Actors: Hugh Laurie
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A multiracial cast attempts to recreate the Shakespearean comedy/farce. Populated with acting veterans in the ensemble company, the film alternates between lunacy and exhilaration.
Generally interesting, it does touch on the worst of Dicken's England. The poverty and debtor's prison. The lack of a welfare net for the unfortunate.
That said, IMO the film was way too long. A runtime of 90 minutes would have been more tolerable.
High production value and impressive settings.

There is much to like about this film. The cast is excellent (Hugh Laurie was born to play Mr Dick) and give it their all, the cinematography is superb, and Armando Iannucci's mastery of comedy was much to the fore. I would have loved to see the same cast and crew produce an eight- or ten-part TV adaption of the novel Dickens called his Favourite Child.
Unfortunately, that's not what we get here. This is an attempt to cram an 883-page novel into a 119 minute film, and it Just. Doesn't. Work. I don't expect an utterly faithful scene-by-scene homage - but the breakneck pace of this film simply doesn't give the story room to breathe. Ben Whishaw does his best with Uriah Heep, but doesn't get the space to do much with the role; Paul Whitehouse's Mr Peggotty is shorn of all pathos; Benedict Wong's Wickfield is confined to a recurring joke (which is absent from the novel) Nikki Amuka-Bird is asked to play Mrs Steerforth whilst incorporating Rosa Dartle; Rosaleen Linehan as Mrs Gummidge is treated little better - and the total omission of Mr Barkis, Tommy Traddles, Martha Endell, Littimer - and even Mrs Mowcher - damages the whole. Peter Capaldi is good comic value as Mr Micawber, though some of his best scenes are omitted (and a spurious one incomprehensibly invented. As for the dramatic unmasking of Heep - it shows all the signs of being crammed into the two minutes of running time that was still available for it.
Dickens wrote some great comedy in David Copperfield. Some of it is in the film.
Dickcens wrote some great pathos in David Copperfield. Almost none of it is in the film.
Don't see this film if you enjoyed the book.

1. Interstellar
2. works.bepress.com/sherry-bell/2
3. kozaisen.themedia.jp/posts/10039188