A lively cinematic take on Charles Dickens’ book, The Personal History Of David Copperfield has a great cast, tons of energy, and is exceptional to look at.
When I was a freshman in high school, we read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I remember liking the book, but never returned to reading more Dickens. That said, I had heard of David Copperfield. He was a magician, and, somehow, Dickens also had a book of the same name. I always thought that was funny, but never looked into it any further. This movie might have actually inspired me to read that book, though.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield is about a boy born to a loving mother after his father has died. As a young boy, David goes to visit his nanny’s amazing boathouse, develops love for all of the people there, and then returns home to find that his mother has married a harsh man. David is quickly sent to work at his stepfather’s factory, and is there for years – earning nothing, being mistreated, and living poorly. While at the factory, he lives with the Micawber family. They are exceptionally kind, but have no money, so Mr. Micawber steals and avoids creditors. After the Micawbers are taken away by the police, David visits his eccentric aunt, Betsey, and her housemate, Mr. Dick. From there, his aunt finds him a spot at boarding school ,and the rest of his complicated and entertaining tale plays out.
This is such a fun movie. Visually, it is a kaleidoscope of colors, patterns, moving pieces, and creative camera angles. It is beautiful to watch, and the vivid patterns and artistic cinematography never get old. It’s like watching a moving diorama.
The film begins with David Copperfield telling his own story to an audience, making him the narrator. From a young age, David keeps scraps of paper on which he writes memories, sayings, and other words to remind him of his life. Eventually, he compiles them into the book he is seemingly reading from.
Dev Patel shines as David Copperfield. He is charming and charismatic, and you fall in love with his sweetness, excitement, and character. He is a brilliant choice for this role, and you’ll see why when you watch.
The huge supporting cast is also spectacular, with people like Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, and Ben Whishaw, but if Tilda Swinton is in it, you know it’s going to be quirky, and that is a great thing. Every single actor in this film stands out in their own way.
Speaking of the cast, I absolutely love how they positioned people in this film, with a complete lack of coordination in color/racial background, just like the rest. It doesn’t matter whether you are white, black, Indian, or Asian, you can have a child who is white, black, Indian, or Asian. They don’t have to look at all like you, because, in a world of beautiful visuals, why would you make a family monochromatic?
The Personal History Of David Copperfield is a very stylized and hugely engaging film that makes you feel like you are watching a pop-up picture book. It has a fantastic cast and a huge heart, and I’m incredibly glad that they made this movie. It’s one of the most visually imaginative films I’ve seen. Enjoy!
Runtime: 120 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, definitely
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4.25/5 Stars
Available: Free on Hulu and Disney+, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
When I was a freshman in high school, we read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I remember liking the book, but never returned to reading more Dickens. That said, I had heard of David Copperfield. He was a magician, and, somehow, Dickens also had a book of the same name. I always thought that was funny, but never looked into it any further. This movie might have actually inspired me to read that book, though.
