David Copperfield [2000] [DVD]

 

 

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This adaptation of "David Copperfield" was panned in the book "Dickens on Screen", unjustly in my view. The quality may not be as even as in the excellent BBC version with Maggie Smith and Bob Hoskins, but the story is well told and there is only one dud performance: the others range from competent to first-rate.

To summarise the plot: David Copperfield loses his father even before he is born and is brought up by his loving young mother and his devoted nurse, Peggotty. His childhood is idyllic until his mother falls in love with and marries Mr Murdstone, who turns out to be a tyrant. Together with his equally sinister sister, he takes over the household, packs David off to school when he starts to be bothersome, and after David's mother's death enrols him to do menial tasks in his firm Murdstone and Grinby. Rather than face a future cleaning bottles, David runs away and throws himself on the mercy of his formidable great-aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood. Betsey comes up trumps and David's future seems bright - for the time being. He runs into further difficulties as a young man, though, some through his own errors of judgement. If you don't already know the story you might very well wonder how - and if - Dickens is going to straighten it all out in the end.

The adaptation in itself is well done, though I thought the Murdstones were given a little too much airtime. The plotline involving David's friend from schooldays, Steerforth, is, in contrast, rather neglected: as a consequence, we have to do without characters such as the embittered Rosa Dartle and the shady Littimer. On the plus side, the adaptation has a personal note which the slick BBC adaptation (which sometimes gave you a feeling of watching "David Copperfield: The Greatest Hits") lacked. The theme that is stressed is how David must learn to face up to things such as the terrors of his past (symbolised by the Murdstones) and not always take the easy route. The commentary sounds more Dickensian than its BBC counterpart, even when it wasn't in the book at all!

As for the acting, as mentioned, it is very good on the whole, with a strong supporting cast. The leads are a bit more uneven. Sally Field overdoes Betsey Trotwood's pugnaciousness a little, and she's not Maggie Smith, but then who is? She's a likeable Betsey nevertheless. Anthony Andrews as Murdstone also has a slight tendency to chew the scenery on one or two occasions, but it's so enjoyable to see him cast against type that one readily forgives him. Eileen Atkins is impressive as his venomous sister. Hugh Dancy makes a convincing David and is easy on the eye. Paul Bettany is, in my view, not exactly the right type for Steerforth, but charismatic none the less.

The best performances, though, come from David's two love interests and his most dangerous enemy. Julie Cox is enchanting as Dora Spenlow, the naïve girl David falls head over heels in love with, and Emily Hamilton is warm and engaging as his real soulmate, Agnes Wickfield, daughter of Betsey Trotwood's troubled lawyer. The cause of Mr Wickfield's troubles is his sleazy partner and former clerk Uriah Heep, who threatens to take over the whole firm and has designs on Agnes. Frank MacCusker is, I think, the best Uriah I've ever seen, which is saying something. He makes the character's quirks eerily believable and shows more seething resentment than Nicholas Lyndhurst did in the BBC version (Lyndhurst's Uriah was admirably creepy, but something of a mystery when it came to motivation).

But - and this is a BIG but - I'm afraid Mr Micawber in this version is absolutely terrible. The actor isn't completely to blame: the direction seems to have decided to make him into a clown who falls over his own feet, stumbles into fireplaces etc. Yes, the famous optimist is supposed to be a comic character, but he also plays an important role in the story. He's not an excuse for bad slapstick. Bob Hoskins in the BBC version, who was such an absolute sweetie that even Micawber-sceptics like myself couldn't help wishing him well, is vastly preferable.

In short (to somewhat reluctantly borrow a Micawber phrase): if you only plan to see one "David Copperfield" adaptation, the BBC version is your best bet. If, on the other hand, you like to see different adaptations of the same novel, then this is definitely worth a look. Seasoned Micawberites may want to think twice before buying it, though.

First a word to to the wise for Sally Field fans. Whilst she has top billing on the cover, she only has a minor roll. I wasn't impressed by her performance, but sadly audiences are condemned to suffer a badly cast token American star in order to please the distributors.

The production gets off to a bad start when David Copperfield flings open the shutters to reveal what appears to be the Himalayas in the background. Not quite the vista you would expect from an Enlgish country home. Audiences will be disappointed with the locations in general. It is obviously not shot in England and the residences used were far to palacial for their supposed owners.

Overall this is a light-hearted production, with beautiful people and lots of smiles. Not what you would expect from an adaptation of a Dicken's novel, but some audiences will find the upbeat tone more pallatable.

For all it's failings this production is watchable and it encorporates the story reasonably well in the time available. A bit more time spent on the role of Uriah Heep would have been appreciated.

David Copperfield is such a good story that it is well worth watching more than one version of it. On that basis I would recommend this DVD. Just don't expect a masterpiece.

This version of David Copperfield (with Frank McCusker, Sally Field etc.) is blooming marvellous. It was on TV over Christmas 2010 / New Year 2011 and I bought it soon after. Mr McCawber is portrayed a little bit too much like a pantomime character, but nevertheless very good, but Frank McCusker's portrayal of Uriah Heep is brilliant - what a weasel! One of the best Dickens stories in my view.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Utterly trumped by the BBC version
With a cast including Hugh Dancy, Eileen Atkins, Anthony Andrews and Paul Bettany, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this would be a good watch. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Ms. S. C. Bidwell

1.0 out of 5 stars A version of Dicken's David Copperfield
I am sorry to say that I now feel that I was mislead on seeing this item advertised on Amazon. This I think was by a combination of a positive review of the film by somebody, and... Read more

Published on 12 April 2009 by Dodger

5.0 out of 5 stars David copperfield
This is the best version ever, Mr. Micwaber brilliant and Uriah Heep excellently creepy, must watch it if Dickens fan.

Published on 8 Jun 2007 by R. Putterill

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