Rent The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

Condensed and tweaked - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by Pete W

An almost impossible task to cover David Copperfield in 2 hours, so I can see that shortcuts are needed. Parts of the film work, others clunk a bit. Dev Patel is good in the title role but Copperfield is not the main character in the book, he's the central point around which the other more eccentric characters revolve - seen in different ways (and called different names) by the other characters. Hugh Laurie is very touching as Mr Dick, Tilda Swinton a fearsome donkey bashing Betsy Trotwood. I couldn't decide whether I liked Ben Wishaw's creepy Uriah Heap but I really did not like Peter Capaldi as an accordion playing Mr Micawber. The denouement of the main plot and the unveiling of Heap's villainy is rushed. Why bother with the Yarmouth end of the story if you're going to completely change the outcome? A bit hit and miss.

What a load of twoddle - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by PT

Couldn't manage to waste my time watching it all. Think it was supposed to be funny but it didn't work for me.

Dickens would turn in his grave ! - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by JD

If you want to watch a “woke” version of this much loved Charles Dickens classic, this is the movie for you.
If not , you will be shouting at the tv at this unfunny, confusing, strange version. The well known cast are wasted.

David Copperfield Personal History - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by DH

Cringe worthy. To see so many talented actors over-egging the parts was awful. At times it was so saccharine, the film made one's teeth hurt. There have been great versions of the Dickens masterpiece and this was definitely not one of them. Why add the racial dimensions to Dicken's very personal semi-autobiographical novel? For the sake of political correctness and inclusiveness? In fact, it subtracts and only makes for confusion. Why not put all the characters in wheel chairs or make Clara Peggotty, trans-gender. Truly awful. Watch the excellent earlier versions instead!

A whimsical delight - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by Paul Roffey - Writer

The Personal History of David Copperfield is a fun, feel-good film; the kind of film that lightens the heart and smooths the roughest of days. It’s a riot of colour and eternal optimism, a whimsical delight.

Is it twee? Absolutely.

Is it a tad nauseating at times? Absolutely.

But I didn’t care about that, and I suspect you won’t either.

It’s the story of Dickens’ David Copperfield, told by David Copperfield as a recital in a theatre. An original, if not a slightly peculiar way of presenting a film. But it works, it makes the tale much more personal, and it wraps it up nicely at the end.

For those who don’t know the story, David was born into a rural household consisting of his mother and a maid, Peggotty, a bubbly, blustery, wonder of a woman. David grows to, I would say ten or so , in a bubble of love and apparent security.

However, this is the early Victorian era, and David’s father died before he was born. David’s mother is a woman alone. Recently I reviewed on my blog an excellent book called The Five, by Hallie Rubenhold, which covers, amongst other things, the precariousness of a Victorian woman's life. So, queue the wicked step father and, for good measure, the wicked step-aunt—played bizarrely, as I only watched her on Game of the Thrones the night before, by Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth).

David is sent away, first to Peggotty’s relatives in Great Yarmouth who live in an upturned boat and then, after his step-father wants rid of him, to lodge with Mr Micawber in London and work in a child labour bottling factory run by, you guessed it, his wicked step-father. The landlord, played by Peter Capaldi, is a jolly ‘something will turn up’ man permanently out of work (although I doubt that he was ever in it). And permanently on the sponge for money.

From there the tale weaves its way through an aunt, then boarding school, then work, then first love, then happy ending.

There are many parts played by some great actors.

For me Tilda Swinton was the best, just. She played David’s aunt, Betsey Trotwood who, for some strange reason, has a thing against donkeys.

Hugh Laurie plays Mr Dick, an extremely confused man who can’t rid himself of the internal monologue of Charles I, the Stuart king that was beheaded by Cromwell, unless he flies a kite. A role he won a BIFA for.

Morfydd Clark, Mina in the BBC Dracula, I thought wonderful as the heart-of-gold natured, but a little soppy Dora, David’s first love. This love provoking a wonderful scene of David seeing all things Dora in all places in London.

And finally, Ben Whishaw (Q, amongst his many other fine roles), as the fawning, slimy, rogue Uriah Heep.

You’ll watch better films, more thoughtful films, films that will make you cry and films that will make you hide behind the sofa. But you’ll struggle to watch one that is just such good fun.

Well worth it.

Paul Roffey - Writer -

An Entertaining Romp through a much loved classic - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by Old Devonian

I agree with the final paragraphs by the reviewer ‘DS’. A TV Series in 6 one hour episodes would have allowed a more faithful rendition of the novel, but as Armando wanted to do a film he had to decide on style I guess. What you get is two hours of , mainly manic, fast moving storyline with modern editing against a background of pseudo CGI enhanced Dickensian Britain played by some great household names who put in very good performances. Particularly enjoyed Peter Capaldi as Mr Micawber. Some have commented on the diversity of the acting ensemble. Yes it was weird to square it away to begin with but that didn’t last long. I read that Armando wasn’t making any point, as others have mentioned, but he just thought ‘why not’ and select from 100 pc of the available acting talent.

It is an interesting casting issue and I, for one, salute Armando for going for it big time in this production.

David Copperfield in 2Hours - The Personal History of David Copperfield review by CP Customer

Interesting concept of the life DAVID COPPERFIELD from his infancy to success as a writer condensed into a 2 hour film. The characters are there but they are characterisations as there is not the time to develop them. The film is exceptionally cast and they give an amazing set of performances within their role confides.