User Reviews

IN BRIEF: Overrated period comedy that looks right but is all wrong.

JIM'S REVIEW: (MILDLY RECOMMENDED) Well, I did like the costumes. And the production design, a mishmash of vibrant colors and patterns, was also a delight. (Kudos to Suzie Harman and Robert Worley's unlikely period wardrobe and Cristina Casali's stylish sets) But the film, The Personal History of David Copperfield, was all useless energy and pure nonsense. The film tries to impress with its quirkiness, lavish settings, and hyperactive performances. Figures whose names might seem familiar... Uriah Heep, Mr. Micawber, Betsey Trotwood, Mr. Dick...are strange hybrids of Charles Dicken's more famous characters from his novel. Here, they are thrown together to chronicle the story of the fictional David Copperfield's life. Like a Dicken's novel, characters intersect our hero's coming-of-age journey and add to the pomp although the circumstances are dubious. Unlike a Dicken's novel, in this odd film adaptation, they are shallow, silly, and overstay their welcome.

The film is unevenly directed by Armando Iannucci, who also wrote the screenplay with Simon Blackwell. His movie takes on a surreal quality which impresses in its visual splendor. (Many times while watching this film, I was reminded of Terry Gilliam's dud, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and we know how that one went.) But script-wise, it's a mess. The plot is contrived, a CliffNotes summary of the book which misses Dicken's clever prose. In this re-imagined film version, everyone plays their roles like live action cartoons without any restraint or comic timing. They become wind-up dolls dressed to the Victorian nines gone amok.

A good cast belabors the comedy. And Mr. Iannucci does assemble many of England's best actors for his movie such as Peter Capaldi, Ben Whishaw, Tilda Swinton, and Hugh Laurie; only the latter two performers hit their marks most of the time with their outlandish interpretations. He waste their time and talents. As the title character, Dev Petel is completely engaging, but he and the integrated ensemble deserve better material. While the casting may be color-blind, the overall vision lacks focus too. The concept of creating Victorian England with a contemporary attitude is intriguing, but never quite gels.

Critics worldwide have raved about this film. And I waited nearly a year with high hopes, only to be disappointed by the end results. The film looks authentic and, production-wise, has many admirable traits, but it is all surface treatment and sleight-of-hand trickery. A earnest effort, I would agree, but the reality is that The Personal History of David Copperfield is epic, as in failure. It's a farce without any laughs that exhausts rather than thrills. Be careful what you wish for. (GRADE: C)

I finally finished the novel today, after months of hiding from the trailer for this film, and I was thrilled to watch. I understand that a lot of things are going to be changed and condensed from a 900 page novel into a 2 hour movie but boy, they made nearly all of the opposite decisions I would've made on what to keep and what to throw away. Mr. Dick must've gotten 10 times the screen time as Peggotty and Mr. Peggotty who were two of my favourite characters in the novel. In the beginning, I really enjoyed the whimsical nature, however, the whimsy seems to have disappeared after the first half, leaving me to wonder why it was added at all? I loved the diversity in the cast, and what a cast it was, but wow.. just a really disappointing adaptation of a beautiful novel.

'The Personal History Of David Copperfield (2019)' feels, quite significantly, like a clip-show, closer to a series of interconnected skits than a traditionally cinematic narrative. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. It gives the piece - which does, of course, have an overarching story - a unique feel. It's also an apt way to condense a lifetime into two hours, featuring only the most significant moments of its eponymous character's life. It all seems a little surreal, especially when it begins to visualise its narration in the middle of select scenes. The experience starts off a little slow but it soon picks up the pace, moving towards its low-key finale with a fair bit of momentum. Most of it is presented rather farcically, its eccentric characters flailing their arms or speaking in eloquent metaphor. There are a fair few moments that provoke a chuckle or two, but the flick still retains some resonance. It isn't all overtly comedic; some of its more sobering stuff does, indeed, sting. It comes so close to having something to say about class, but this aspect remains distinctly subtextual and always comes second to the more straightforward story. This isn't a huge issue, though. Perhaps the movie's biggest asset is its ensemble cast. Patel, who perfectly portrays the adult version of the whimsical protagonist, is a real stand-out. As are Capaldi and Laurie, who play eccentric but endearing middle-aged men. Each and every cast member is decidedly good, though, doing exactly what they need to with apparent joy. Overall, the film is entertaining and well-made. It's fun, energetic and, in general, just a good time. 7/10

This is a fun and enjoyable movie. The weird comments by people who can't comprehend a non-white cast are baffling. If you can't enjoy a film because of the colour of actor's skin, that's your problem, not the film's.

Some profoundly eccentric characters but the performances seemed a little forced and the connection you need to carry them over the line was missing for the most part.

Scottish director Armando Iannucci isn't the first name that springs to mind when one thinks of a director of Charles Dickens novels but the famed comedic filmmaker makes for a refreshing behind camera master of this more modern take on Dicken's semi-autobiographical tale.

Renowned for some of the modern era's greatest politically astute comedies in the form of In the Loop and The Death of Stalin, as well as extensive work on hit TV show Veep, Iannucci dials things back quite a bit here without ever losing sight of the oddball humor that has made his career so enjoyable, as we follow Dev Patel's kind hearted David Copperfield across a multi-year journey of trials and tribulations as he tries to find his way in a world that seems intent on knocking him down.

Not following any particular one plot thread, the film takes on board Copperfield's experience's being raised by Peter Capaldi's money waster Mr Micawber, his teenage years education and most importantly his life-defining relationship with Tilda Swinton's oddball aunt Betsey Trotwood and her mentally unhinged friend Mr. Dick, played wonderfully by Hugh Laurie.

There's a lot to cram into History's two hour run-time, one that Iannucci at times struggles to balance out, with the films later stages in particular feeling as though they could've had more time to breath but overall the film remains an entertaining and enthusiastic rendition of a story that has stood the test of time.

Front and centre throughout are some fantastic production values to this independent film, duly noted in the films large collection of nominations at last years British Independent Film Awards and another great lead performance from Dev Patel, who much like his fellow Skins graduate Nicholas Hoult has proven time and time again that his one of the most assured performers working today.

Patel's infectiously enjoyable performance is a genuine example of a film that is having a lot of fun with its narrative and one were the cast and crew clearly had a ball bringing it to life, while its likely to divide die-hard Dicken's fans, its great to see a director of Iannucci's skill-set tackle such a task.

Final Say -

It may not be quite up to the high-standards of the best Dicken's features but The Personal History of David Copperfield is a joyous little film with a lot of heart and a killer on-song cast to boot.

3 1/2 heavy cakes out of 5

Based upon Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield (1850), this latest adaptation starring Dev Patel as the titular lead chronicles Copperfield's erratic life from rags to riches. Set during Victorian-era England, The Personal History of David Copperfield commences with his idyllic childhood living on a beach in an overturned boat through to early adulthood after a somewhat turbulent string of events. Being a fan of Dicken's works (as well as having written and starred in the 2012 TV film Armando's Tale Of Charles Dickens), Iannucci appeared to be an appropriate choice to adapt Dicken's 600+ page behemoth for the screen. Along with co-writer and regular collaborator Simon Blackwell, Iannucci found himself drawn towards the comedy featured within the novel. Dev Patel shines as David Copperfield, and he's joined by a magnificent ensemble cast comprised of some of Britain's finest. Peter Capaldi (a previous collaborator of Iannucci's, most notably known for his work on The Thick Of It) features as the scheming Mr. Micawber, and Hugh Laurie delivers a wonderfully mad performance as Mr. Dick; a frantic, paranoid man plagued with what seems to be a loose form of schizophrenia. Tilda Swinton is another fantastic addition as Betsy Trotwood, and Ben Whishaw's performance as the seedy Uriah Heep lends a slightly more antagonistic presence to a storyline largely lacking such a component. It is evident both Iannucci and Blackwell are fans of the source material they're adapting, as The Personal History of David Copperfield is a vibrant, charming piece of work that is irresistibly fun. Driven by a wonderful cast and a fast-paced storyline spanning many years, it is a film made with affection that is an absolute joy to watch.

This is not a straight forward movie experience. It combines elements of live theater with classic farce, woven together with an obvious love for the source material.

Cinematography, editing, score, and set and costuming attention to detail conjure a believably pre-industrial London. We see the world first through the eyes of a boy ingenu, which lends to the slightly fantastic.

It smoothly transitions through 'highlights' of the book, without being too thin or fleeting. The creators have consciously chosen to lean into the comedic aspects of events, while still giving weight where appropriate.

Performances are perfectly tuned to the array of idiosyncratic characters. None of the actors outshine the others - a true ensemble. And it is an extra pleasure to see Hugh Laurie and Peter Capaldi in scenes together.

It evolves through episodes which tie together beautifully in the conclusion, especially with the final line.

The end credits retain the style and are a pleasing conclusion.

Now, one of my favorite films.

A very dynamic film, David Copperfield lures you into his intriguing life stories. Unfortunately I haven't read the original but could still appreciate the flair and narrative of the film. This would have been a treat for those who are familiar with Dickens's work. This eventful and fluid manner of story telling nicely transitions into this film. Some decent performances by Dev Patel and the rest of the cast. It was also a pleasantly diverse film that modernised this classic novel. This may not appeal to a large mainstream audience as some cultural sensitivity is needed to see something in this film. I'm glad I went and enjoyed this modern spin on a classic tale.

To those who love this book, please stay away from this loose adaptation. I'm not against putting your own spin on a piece of literature, but when you lose sight of the soul of the source material, I have no interest. A truly excellent cast is wasted on this directors self-indulgent production. This is not David Copperfield. If you feel the need to tell whatever story this thing is, please do it under another name.

I don't know why so many people have been so negative about this film. I set up this account specifically to give my two pence to this vibrant rendition!

Giving such a dark story humour was admittedly a controversial move, but it paid off in my opinion. Every role in the film resonates with character, and the eccentricity balances the drama well.

My favourite part was the passionate, progressive score by Christopher Willis. Go listen to The Pages Must Show. Now!

I saw this film at the HOME arts centre in Manchester on 26th January. I would first like to say to all the reviewers who have a problem with the multi ethnic casting - lighten up and catch up. It might not be too common yet in period films but this kind of colour blind casting is hardly unheard of on 21st century TV, and as the director pointed out in an interview on the Today programme this morning (Radio 4, 28th January) it has been used in theatre for the past 10-15 years. The director explained his choice of actors as, he had always thought Dev Patel would be ideal for the role of David Copperfield because he portrays the right combination of naivety, strength and intelligence for the character. Following that he wanted to cast the significant roles in the film equally well and to give it a slightly modern feel, and that meant looking at actors of all ethnic backgrounds. The BAME actors who play the significant supporting roles of Ham, Markham, Mrs Steerforth, Dr Chillip, Mr Wickfield and Agnes Wickfield are exactly right for those roles and I found nothing jarring in it their presence at all. Likewise the Caucasian actors (let's not forget them) who play Dora, Mr Dick, Mr and Mrs Micawber, Aunt Betsy Trotwood, are perfectly cast. It is inevitable that a film adaptation is going to miss out some of what is in the original novel. Film is a different medium and isn't going to have space for all the subplots or all of the characters. But this adaptation is faithful to Dickens's main characters and plot developments, and it brings out all the comic elements in both. To take a familiar example, there is something hilariously absurd in Betsy Trotwood's obsession with keeping people from riding donkeys over her lawn. This makes the film a delight to watch, and if it skates over the more tragic elements of the story, this isn't a fault. It is also visually enjoyable due to the imaginative direction. This draws the audience in from the start. The opening scene has David Copperfield starting to read his own story on stage in front of an audience, and soon after he begins, he turns and walks through the backdrop into the real Norfolk countryside and walks the viewer to the house where he is being born. There are several such surreal scene changes throughout, which are both unexpected and pleasing to watch. This isn't a classic film but it is a respectful adaptation, very funny and entertaining, and well worth watching.

I am not quite sure how he managed to do it, but Director Armando Iannucci has succeeded in turning a classic story, with an excellent cast, into an incredibly dull movie.

Save your hard earned money and see something else.

A great cast puts a wonderful spin on David Copperifeld I found Hugh Laurie especially wonderful in his role but the film was wonderfully heartwarming somehow without having any specific memorable wow moments. Overall an enjoyable film.

Really enjoyable Sunday night viewing. The film felt dreamy and this worked well with the narrator recounting the memories of his life whilst writing and showing us how life itself the sole source for writing. The whole thing had a bit of a Wes Anderson feel but this may have been because Tilda Swinton was in the film and the characters were very eccentric! Definitely give it a go!

This is a really unusual film. Armando Iannucci has taken the brave decision to not just cast some black and Asian actors in major roles that at first glance seem to be a strange fit, but the way the story is presented is also unusual for a period piece. Yet for the most part it works mixing Charles Dickens social commentary of one mans personal journey through life with it's up and downs alongside some amusing dialogue and a satisfying conclusion.

Firstly Dev Patel puts in a great solid performance as the titular david Copperfield. The fact that here is a British Indian actor playing a role traditionally played by a white actor was jarring for a short while , but after a few minutes you do start to believe in him and it quickly fades from being an issue. In fact the only thing that seemed strange was that Patel , at 29, looked a fraction too old to be playing the character during his formative years. However that really was my only gripe.

The supporting cast are all excellent. The superb and reliable Tilda Swinton has never put in a bad performance in any film and is at home in a period piece like this as she is in a Coen brothers film or assisting Bruce Banner in Avengers Endgame. Hugh Laurie seems to be a good fit in most period pieces too (think of his Prince George in Blackadder or Bertie Wooster) and does so again plus Ben Whishaw makes a suitably creepy and slimy Uriah Heep. However my personal favourite of the supporting cast is Benedict Wong who makes for a fantastically likeable, amusing and blustering Mr Wickfield. Peter Capaldi is also charming and sympathetic as Mr Micawber (although his London accent does seem a little strained at times) and special mention to Rosalind Eleazar who turns in a nicely balanced and very human performance as Agnes Wickfield.

The use of authentic East Anglian location filming works well enough and the time the photography is gorgeous. I did have reservations were with the slightly unusual way the story is told, with David Copperfield sometimes dropping in on scenes from his own life and the way it occasionally jumps around in the editing. It is a little odd to see this in a film of this nature. It doesn't make a huge difference to the way it is told but aesthetically it feels strange in a film that is old fashioned at heart but told in a modern way. Also i'm sure purists will not be happy about the way some scenes are glossed over, compacted or missed completely but to be fair Ianucci does a decent job at stopping the story from becoming boring and to keep it to a running time of two hours (and remember the novel is 624 pages long) so in a sense it is a compromise to keep the spirit of Dickens story there without it being 100% faithful. So whilst it is unlikely to become compulsory viewing for future GCSE students due to its abridged style, as a modern take on the story it still works pretty well at introducing the non book reader to a literary classic. There are more accurate film and television adaptations out there but I don't think that was ever the directors intention and if entertainment was his end goal then he has succeeded here.

The film begins with plenty of quips and old fashioned British humour. Slightly reminded me of The Grand Budapest Hotel in its manner and humour. This film does not deserve anything near what some of the reviews are giving. Clearly many turned up expecting it to be a raucous, laugh out loud comedy which was never promised. What it does do is stick to Dickensian values and humour throughout. My main gripe is that the balance of the film seems a little off. The beginning and middle parts cross over nicely, however there is a good 30 minutes of rather dull dialogue without the stories moving along very much. The ending then all comes at once, whilst entertaining it compromises the storytelling values from the beginning of the film, perhaps to cram it into the two hour window. Overall I predominantly enjoyed the script and the performances from the small ensemble of fine actors who were clearly enjoying their whacky roles.

Dev Patel carries the role of David Copperfield gracefully and naturally. He meets many characters along the way that vividly come to life on screen in ways that make you feel as though you are reading the descriptions as they unfolded on the page. They are almost caricatures in a very whimsical and delightful way. The rollercoaster that takes David from being the only son of a widow to the discarded baggage of a new marriage also makes him the guest in an overwhelmingly loving (yet constantly indebted) family. The ride continues as he becomes a young man on the run and on his fresh start as a gentleman with a past and then finally landing as a man in love with a girl who is out of place in his story.

Though we are introduced to a wonderful array of supporting characters who help David on his long and winding journey, we do not get to spend enough time getting to know them because of the fast pace of the film. We feel his connection to them based on all of the great performances, however, it is tough to stay connected to them on the other side of the lens as the pace through situations races ahead. The third act of the film is where it is felt the most. As all of the characters come together for a very satisfying ending, it would have been nice to have more time with the characters as they enjoy the spoils of ride they took together.

In the end, this is a redemption story about a very interesting character and his extraordinarily interesting life. David and his engaging journey have every element needed to go from whimsical to scary to revenge filled and eventually a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely recommend it. There are brilliant performances all around and the film is a welcome escape from the current lack of whimsy in the world.

The story of David Copperfield has been adapted so many times for both the big screen and the small screen.

You have to question whether there is any fresh approach left.

Director Armando Iannucci finds the answer in colour blind casting and emphasizing a more comic absurd approach to Dickens novel.

David Copperfield (Dev Patel) recounts his story to a live audience in the style of Dickens with his reading tours.

A young David Copperfield had a happy existence with his mother Clara (Morfydd Clark) and faithful servant Peggotty (Daisy May Cooper.)

Misery entered his life when his mother married Edward Murdstone (Darren Boyd) and then his sister moved in to the family home.

David was sent to work in a bottling factory. His mother endured hardship with both the Murdstones.

In this episodic movie, David encounters the permanently impecunious Mr Micawber (Peter Capaldi.) He spends time with eccentric Aunt Betsey (Tilda Swinton) as well as the daffy Mr Dick (Hugh Laurie.)

David befriends Steerforth (Aneurin Barnard) who brings disgrace as as aristocratic seducer.

Then there is the odious social climber Uriah Heep (Ben Whishaw) who is responsible for several misfortunes.

The film is compressed, it is also made bright and adventurous. Almost as if the Monty Python team had given the script a once over.

It does suffer with several characters just underplaying their parts. Mr Micawber was a little too subdued.

The tone was a little uneven. This is Dickens so there has to be some tragedy and hardship.

I can cope with the fact that they have slaughtered a Charles Dickens novel, I can even cope with the fact that it's as boring as watching paint dry but one thing I cannot live with is the colour blind casting. Yes, there should be more people of colour in film, yes there should be more gender diversity but when you make a Dickensian film based in the period then at least try to make it sympathetic to the times it was based. Is it too much too ask for members of the same family to be from the same ethnic group?

It's PC for the sake of being PC and as such the acting talent, of which was considerable, was wasted to the point of being comical.

When it comes to literary authors, Charles Dickens is one of the greats, with his work rife with iconic characters and scenarios. 'David Copperfield' is not among my top favourites of his ('A Christmas Carol', 'Great Expectations' and 'Oliver Twist' are up there), but it is closer to the better group than the lesser one. What also interested me into seeing 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' was the cast and seeing a different side to 'The Death of Stalin' director Armando Iannucci.

'The Personal History of David Copperfield' impressed me on the whole, certainly liked it better than some of my friends where there were some very mixed opinions. Was not sure at how a big book, that like all Dickens' work would fare better usually adapted as a mini-series, could be adapted easily in a film that is barely two hours. The good news is that it is not the disaster that it could have been in this regard. 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' though is one of those book to film adaptations that should be judged purely on its own terms and as a standalone, anybody expecting 100 percent faithful treatment will be disappointed.

A lot is done well in 'The Personal History of David Copperfield'. It looks fabulous, especially the evocative period detail that has a "makes one feel they are there" atmosphere and quite breath-taking scenery (notably the outside of Betsy Trotwood's residence). All of which beautifully shot. Iannucci reigns in the dark cynicism that was all over 'The Death of Stalin' to such brilliantly clever effect and instead proves that he can do sincerity well when given the chance.

Performances are great all round, Dev Patel being confident and lovable in the title role and Peter Capaldi being perfectly cast and genuinely funny. Hugh Laurie also enlivens the film whenever he appears and has expert comic timing, while Tilda Swinton is a suitably firm yet caring Betsy. Ben Whishaw has never been this much of a creep as Uriah Heep and is very snake-like as ought. The script is joyously funny and at other times very touching, while the story is told with passion and with a clear affection for the source material.

By all means the storytelling isn't perfect. It would have benefitted from being 15-20 minutes longer, as there are times where the pace did feel rushed and the structure jumped around. Particularly early on, like for example leaving out everything with David's school years which left a big gap.

Did feel that at times the music was a bit too loud and didn't always fit, more subtle orchestration would have worked better and that would have overbeared the dialogue less. The Murdstones did seem underwritten and didn't seem quite vile enough.

In conclusion, not perfect and best judged as a standalone but impressive in a lot of areas. 7/10.

Love everything Armando iannucci has done so far but this doesn't work and isn't funny. Turning Dickens's comedy drama into a slapstick farce didn't work for me.

Greetings again from the darkness. One need not be a Dickens expert to enjoy this re-imagining of his "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account)". Yes, that's the novel's actual title, so there is little wonder it's typically referred to by only the main character's name.

The film opens with David Copperfield (Dev Patel, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) reading his autobiography to a mesmerized audience in a beautiful theatre. Yes, we hear the iconic opening line, "Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life ...", and then Copperfield turns and walks into the backdrop which comes alive as he, in fact, steps into his own life. The film is episodic in structure as we are presented with segments of Copperfield's life that shaped his writing - from his birth at The Rookery, to his inquisitive nature as a young boy, through his cruel banishment to factory work, on to his life living with his eccentric aunt and his time at boarding school, and finally, with his time as a proctor, courting Dora, and focusing on writing. It's a fascinating life, with many elements pulled (or enhanced) from Dickens' own.

Director Armando Iannucci (IN THE LOOP, creator of "Veep") and co-writer Simon Blackwell are frequent collaborators renowned for their expertise in satire. Iannucci is an admitted fan and student of Dickens, and he's assembled quite a sterling cast for his take on the classic story. In addition to Patel as the older Copperfield, we have Jairaj Varsani in his first film as young David, rising star Morfydd Clark (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, 2015) in dual roles including the enchanting Dora Spenlow, Hugh Laurie as the King Charles (and his head) obsessed Mr. Dick, Aneurin Barnard (DUNKIRK) as David's friend Steerforth, Darren Boyd and Gwendoline Christie as the wicked Murdstones, Peter Capaldi ("Doctor Who") as the dodgy Mr. Micawber, Daisy May Cooper as trusted handmaid Peggotty, Nikki Amuka-Bird as the concerned Mrs. Steerforth, Benedict Wong as the sherry-loving Mr. Wickfield, and Ben Whishaw is a standout as conniving Uriah Heep. And if somehow that's not enough, the brilliant and eclectic Tilda Swinton shines as Aunt Betsey Trotwood.

Each of the segments brings something different to the party - some of it bleak, and some of it cheery. Of course the dialogue has dashes of humor, but much of the comedy comes courtesy of the talented cast. It's been said of writers that they should write what they know, and David Copperfield literally writes what he lives ... through piles of scraps of paper, each holding a moment of life or the essence of a character. Watching this is a bit like camping out in a writer's head and twisting through their thoughts ... Mr. Dickens would be proud.

It's a good movie, however with the length of the movie being long, the story telling could have been smoother. Background music, camera positioning, outfit selection, screenplay were all great. Overall worth watching, well written story with great characters.