Review of Great Expectations (2012) by Simon A — 28 Aug 2014

Of all the adaptations of Great Expectations there have been, Mike Newell's version is possibly the second best if not the best and most popular alongside the 1946 version directed by David Lean.

Based on the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip (Jeremy Irvine) is a humble orphan who suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor. And so Pip sets off to London with "great expectations.".

The plot is so well written, that you could almost say they included everything form the novel into the film, it has to be one of the most well written adaptations of a classic novel ever. The title Great Expectations refers to the 'Great Expectations' Pip has of coming into his benefactor's property upon his disclosure to him and achieving his intended role as a gentleman at that time. It's primarily a bildungsroman, a novel depicting growth and personal development, in this case, of Pip.

Now we will discuss the films themes,.

Crime: At the beginning Pip helps an escaped convict Magwitch (Ralph Fiennes). From an early age, Pip feels guilt; he is also afraid that someone will find out about his crime and arrest him. The theme of crime comes in to even greater effect when Pip discovers that his benefactor is in fact a convict.

Social Class: Throughout the book, Pip becomes involved with a broad range of classes, from criminals like Magwitch to the extremely rich like Miss Havisham (Helena Bonham Carter).

Ambition: Pip has great ambition, as demonstrated constantly in the book. He becomes a gentleman but then becomes engrossed in the high class treatment and forgets about his origins and step family and it shows how power can corupt us.

Empire: The life Pip leads as an adult is a very important and rather posh, Gentlemen were very important people in those days and they were given the cream de la cream of British society.

It's a very disturbing film but a very touching film as well. It captures the tone of the book so well.

Director Mike Newell's direction is precise, the production design is superb and captures the retro feel of the 1800's, the costume design is majestic, the cinematography is beautiful, the score by Richard Hartley is just... incredible, the make up is rich and beautifully detailed, the scenery is breathtaking and the sound effects are fantastic.

The film has some of the best acting in a period drama, all the actors played there parts fabulously and there literally was an incredible cast: Jeremy Irvine (I knew this guy was heading in the right direction after seeing him in War Horse), Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane,.

Jason Flemyng, Holliday Grainger, Sally Hawkins, Olly Alexander. The list is just endless.

Great Expectations is the best Great Expectations in recent years and one of the best British films of 2012.

Comment if you have any ideas or suggestions for this review. 5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.