The Personal History of David Copperfield

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: August 28, 2020

4.9	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 60 Ratings

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moviemitch96Aug 29, 2020

This film, based off the novel 'David Copperfield' by Charles Dickens, chronicles the story of David Copperfield, a young British orphan growing up in Victorian era England and persisting through several trials and hardships throughout hisThis film, based off the novel 'David Copperfield' by Charles Dickens, chronicles the story of David Copperfield, a young British orphan growing up in Victorian era England and persisting through several trials and hardships throughout his life. The greatest thing on display here is definitely the actors and their performances. Dev Patel brings just the right amount of charm and wit to the titular character, and supporting turns from Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, and Ben Whishaw to name a few keep things relatively fun. Storywise, the film does seem to bounce around quite a bit and it had a hard time staying consistent, and it does seem to drag on a bit in parts, but there's just enough humor and charm to go around that it doesn't become too tiresome. Overall, it's a perfectly fine period piece that sure to please due to its feel-good story and enjoyable performances.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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twall3Sep 7, 2020

As a writer myself, the film provided a fascinating perspective. It created inventive ways to portray how a writer sees the world and captures the inspiration that life provides. Hugh Laurie infused terrific humor into the experience. TildaAs a writer myself, the film provided a fascinating perspective. It created inventive ways to portray how a writer sees the world and captures the inspiration that life provides. Hugh Laurie infused terrific humor into the experience. Tilda Swinton's character was lovable and well-played. Dev Patel was a sympathetic likeable lead. Overall, the film had a play-like quality but at the same time provided some beautiful cinematography which an actual play cannot do. A quirky, clean, artsy period piece that won't be for everyone, but if the trailer appeals to you, you won't likely be disappointed.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Brent_MarchantFeb 28, 2021

Putting a fresh face on a classic is always a risky proposition, especially with a mob of purists on the sidelines ready to pounce on even the slightest transgression. However, director Armando Iannucci's latest effort takes a valiant stab atPutting a fresh face on a classic is always a risky proposition, especially with a mob of purists on the sidelines ready to pounce on even the slightest transgression. However, director Armando Iannucci's latest effort takes a valiant stab at doing that with Charles Dickens's semi-autobiographical novel and mostly comes up a success. Note, though, that I said mostly. While the narrative deviates somewhat from its source material and condenses the overall story from its original voluminous length, this largely lighthearted take on the novel is whimsically entertaining, even if that whimsy sometimes goes over the top and becomes annoying as a result of its own self-congratulatory cleverness. Viewer engagement with the characters could have been bolstered as well, though this is compensated for by the excellent ensemble cast, particularly the fine performances of Dev Patel (his best work), Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi and Ben Whishaw. The multiracial cast might strike some audience members as a bit odd at first given the story's Victorian English setting (think "Hamilton" meets Dickens), but that "distraction" tends to dissipate as the film moves along, especially since the film itself tends to get stronger the further it moves along. While this reworking of a classic may not succeed on every front, it's certainly novel enough to provide a lazy afternoon's entertainment and a nice escape from the everyday world.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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amontilladoSep 5, 2020

This is a wonderful take on Dickens, demonstrating a true love of the characters and of Dickens. While some of the critic reviews and user reviews note the comedic touches in the film, this is by no means a comedy. Instead, it is a drama, butThis is a wonderful take on Dickens, demonstrating a true love of the characters and of Dickens. While some of the critic reviews and user reviews note the comedic touches in the film, this is by no means a comedy. Instead, it is a drama, but not one wallowing in pain and suffering. More, it is that despite the circumstances, Dickens's characters find a way to be bright when faced with cruel circumstances, and that is the heart of the movie.

Iannucci does a very fresh take on this novel, vibrant and colorful. Motifs are introduced and are carried through to the very end. Fellini's 8 1/2 did a fairly good job of capturing stream-of-consciousness, but Iannucci has done one better I feel. He captures that sense of wonderment and thoughts colliding into one another as a child, and then, even in adulthood, the pace of life continues to jump forward, progressing from event to event. Iannucci's directing and his editors, cinematographers, do a splendid job of pulling this off, thanks in no small part to Dickens's deft writing

Also fascinating, how the vibrance and wonderment do not paint over or mask the darkness underneath. Vibrance and wonderment seem to be how the characters push back against being crushed underneath the weight of industrial England. This is brought off by the actors and the designers seemingly working off of one another. That is, the clothing and the sets are extensions of the characters inhabiting them and are just as telling as their lines. Dev Patel does a wonderful job of portraying a person working past pain, of someone totally a part of their world and yet, at the same time, thankfully apart. He's not alone, in fact, the whole cast have their moments to shine and the cream of British acting talent is on full display here.

Why an 8 and not a 10? The film is clearly a love letter to Dickens. Not only does the director do a wonderful job of streamlining a sprawling novel, never was there a feeling that some fat needed to be trimmed. Iannucci deftly threads the needle bringing so many strands nicely and neatly together at the end. Perhaps, it is that there were times when the film was too giddy, when the shifts between light and dark are so swift that you're unsure whether to laugh or not. That may be the point. It is a film that doesn't want to hide the truth of each character's situation but at the same time, it doesn't want the audience (or the characters) to be miserable. So, expect an unexpected film, a drama that doesn't wallow in misery, but neither is it a comedy. Expect a lot of love and affection, but nothing hidden. I just saw the movie last night and frankly, I'm still turning bits and pieces over in the head, since it is not exactly a drama nor a comedy. This has a similar feel to "Big Fish" or the Keira Knightly "Pride and Prejudice"(2002), so if that is your kind of movie, then this is for you. If you're interested in this due to Iannucci's "Death of Stalin," the vibrance is all there, but unlike "Death of Stalin," which was all about the absurdity of Stalin communism, this film touches upon the cruelty of industrialising England, but turns out to be more about the characters finding their way to thrive in such circumstances. This is not "Death of Copperfield," a skewering of early 19th century industrial England; instead, it is a very well done BBC adaptation. So, if you're in the mood for a drama that doesn't hit hard but has hoped laced throughout, then you're in for a good time.… Expand

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RalfbergsAug 30, 2020

I liked it and was good cinematography and acting, but for it to be really memorable something was lacking. Also I haven't read the book, but I do think in a book format it could me much more interesting. Anyway, decent movie, worth a watch.

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