One to watch this week: The Personal History of David Copperfield
Tilda Swinton looks like she’s stepped straight out of a Tim Walker photograph, in Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield. With her trademark quirk turned up as much as her nose (when it’s pressed against the window in her first appearance on screen), she accessorises her Victorian dress with an oversized straw hat and neatly-tied neck scarf and lives in a donkey-free zone, near Dover. Bright, breezy and entertaining, this is a good film to watch this week. The latest adaption of the Charles Dickens’ novel is beautifully designed and features a superb cast: Dev Patel plays David Copperfield, Tilda Swinton is his aunt Betsey Trotwood and Hugh Laurie is hilarious as her cousin Mr Dick. The kite-flying scenes and special bond between David and Mr. Dick are heartwarming and wonderful (I’ll say no more). Peter Capaldi stars as Mr Micawber, Rosalind Aleazar as Agnes, not to mention Gwendoline Christie and Anna Maxwell Martin, and Ben Whishaw is the creepy Uriah Heep, ‘ No sense of personal space, he gets so close to you sometimes he’s nearer than your own shirt.’
The Personal History of David Copperfield is a delight.
Hugh Laurie, Dev Patel and Tilda Swinton
Discussion (15 Comments)
Joyce Morris says:
Can’t wait to see this. Recently saw its laugh out loud trailer.
I live in Nairn, in the Scottish highlands, where Tilda has a home. She is very highly thought of, particularly because of her generosity .It is very funny. I think Tilda is wonderful and talented and I’m pleased to hear that she’s kind, too.
Ruth Hibbert says:
Saw this film on Friday and thought it was superb. Laugh out loud funny, fast paced and a stellar cast. Can’t recommend it enough, even for non Dickens fans,
Jo says:
I can’t wait to see it , we were on holiday in Norfolk in Summer 2018 and witnessed some of the beach scenes being filmed , the crew were very friendly and accommodating for a family of rubber neckers 🙂
Angela Vick says:
I agree with most of the above but Dickens wrote a very funny novel and a lot of his humour is overlooked or ‘improved upon’ .
The film is an enjoyable romp but the true darkness of Heep and Steerforth is played down. I admire Peter Capaldi but he is miscast as Micawber – tubby, cunning and pretentious with heroic potential. Lovely Dev has never read the novel – says it all !
Like eating a box of soft centred milk chocolates when Dickens added black and bitter with the odd hard nut.Isobel says:
That’s really interesting, Angela! I think I’ll probably feel the same, from what you’ve said.
Angela Kennedy says:
I totally agree, David Copperfield was my O-Level exam book many years ago and my favourite Dickens novel but Mr Micawber was always robust and jollier in my mind , his favourite phrase,’ procrastination is the thief of time ‘ was embedded in my memory (still is ), and it’s virtually lost within the film . Still, it is a jolly romp through time with wonderful scenery (the beaches) and has some pure gems of casting , especially Aunt Betsy and Dick although Uriah Heep is definitely NOT creepy enough , I will never forget my English teacher ramming that word ‘obsequious’ down our throats , he would have thought him way too mild !
Rosemary Eychenne says:
We studied David Copperfield for GCE Ô levels and I have loved this story ever since. The casting sounds excellent. I look forward to seeing it. Thanks Alyson.
Mrs Tonia says:
Thanks for this recommendation. Hoping to see it soon as well as 1917.
Bafta awards broadcasts this Sunday night. Will be interested to see which films and actors will prevail.1917 is amazing, but by far the best film I have seen, for a long time, is Just Mercy. Incredible.
Sarah says:
I really enjoyed it – the cinematography, the excellent (colourblind) cast, the humour – just the thing for January.
I will go to see anything that Tilda is in, even if the film is crap. Fortunately, the majority of her choices are interesting ones and even if this isn’t a great adaptation, I’ll see it if/when it comes to a theatre near me.
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We are off to see it on Friday. High hopes here.