Starring: Dev Patel, Aneurin Bernard, Darren Boyd, Peter Capaldi, Gwendoline Christie, Daisy May Cooper, Matthew Cottle
Director: Armando Iannucci
Release date: 24th January 2020
Young David Copperfield stands on a stage, telling the story of his life.. he is born to a loving mother, and grows up in a position of vague wealth. One day his mum tells him that she’s getting married, only problem being that her new suitor is a bully and dislikes David almost immediately. Not long after, his new step-dad’s sister turns up and moves in with them. Unfortunately her and her brother are very a like and soon David is shipped off to school. Instead of an education though, he ends up as a slave/ worker in a factory owned by his new dad. He’s quite a small boy and it’s not long before he ends up in trouble.. Things don’t go well for David and he ends up lodging with the Micawber family. They are very poor and David is still quite wealthy so being the boy he is, he shares what he has.
Just when he thinks he’s at his lowest ebb, another blow comes out of the blue…
‘David Copperfield’ was the novelist, Charles Dickens’ eighth book, and it’s proper full title is “The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery”. Published in 1850, there have been countless tv and radio adaptations over the years.
The latest offering from writer and director, Armando Iannucchi, his take on the famous story is a breath of fresh air. After seeing other various adaptations of this well known story, it’s great to see it from a whole new viewpoint. The casting of Dev Patel as David is really great as well and one that you never would have naturally gone for as a choice.
The casting of actors is really great and there’s a lot of interesting people in there, including the brilliant Peter Capaldi as Mr Micawber. He always adds a lot of character to any roles he takes on.
You don’t necessarily have to be a fan of Dicken’s work to enjoy this; it’s a really great story that’s actually pretty timeless, and all ages will probably enjoy it.
Great cast and great story makes this one to catch on the big screen. Give it a watch!
Overall: 8/10
