Review of Great Expectations (1998) by Jeremy C — 16 Apr 2011

I consider this movie one of the greatest love story's of all time. This movie demonstrates that not all love stories have to be wrapped in roses. This movie is very loosely based on the Dickens novel. The scenes at Paradiso Perduto are completely enchanting and morbidly beautiful. The two greatest kissing scenes I've ever seen are in this movie. The first shows the pure innocence of Finn and that Stella's actions are not always as they seem and usually have motive. The second is just pure abandon from a lifetime of built up feelings all being released.

Finn is a curious and creative young boy being raised in a Florida panhandle village. Finn is infatuated and adores Stella from the moment they meet. Stella however is raise by her aunt who was a former socialite who was left at the alter. The aunt teaches Stella the ways of seduction, loving, torturing and crushing a man. As the grow up together Finn continues to fall further in love with the beautiful Stella and adores her from afar due to there differences in social standing.

Finn's artistic nature leads him to NYC where Stella has moved to several years before. In NYC, Finn gets the opportunity to show Stella how he has felt for her. However, having been raised by her aunt she resorts to the teaching her aunt has left to her and rejects Finn after a love affair.

There are several back stories through the movie as well. This movie shows how the decisions we make today can have a lasting impact on the rest of our lives and those in it.