Rent The Old Curiosity Shop (2007)

Good solid dramatisation of classic Dickens' novel - The Old Curiosity Shop review by CD

I was quite familiar with the novel before seeing this dramatisation. The film assembles a very strong cast with Derek Jacobi and Toby Jones particularly standing out, but the actor playing Dick Swiveller (a rakish gentleman who undergoes reform doing the story) is also just right for the part. The film leaves out a number of scenes from the book and several characters, but in the core story is true to the original. In some ways it is sharper than the novel. It brings out more clearly the deceit towards Nell and the selfishness of the grandfather's gambling addiction, as well as the more obvious profiteering evil of Daniel Quilp and the Brass family. It is very unclear where in England the travel part of the story is set, and at some point seems to be in the Lake District (although the West country is mentioned), which gives some pleasant back-drops and countryside. Overall a good watch.