Product ReviewsBlu-ray GREAT EXPECTATIONS from Japan

Endearingly Heartfelt Romance

An engrossing modern take on Charles Dickens’ classic novel.

Alfonso Cuaron’s romance drama Great Expectations (1998) is very endearing for a modern version of an old classic. Charles Dickens’ novel captures longing after someone you cannot have as well as class differences in a meaningful way. Mitch Glazer’s screenplay is very sincere, so any silly 90’s aspects are forgiven for me by virtue of how loving this movie feels. Cuaron adapts the entire novel for contemporary audiences. He gives it an arthouse look with a 1990’s style.

Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography is lovely and thoughtful with Dutch angles in wide shots and stunning close-ups. The camerawork instills this sense of something being wrong with each mysterious encounter between lovers. I hope Alfonso Cuaron looks back fondly at his Great Expectations one day for it’s magnificent.

Ethan Hawke is excellent as Finnegan Bell with his natural charisma and realistic heart. He’s so endearing as a young man tricked into love and wealth. He has this raw aura and kinetic energy that just works for this character. You believe Finn is in love because of Hawke’s genuine dramatic acting. His eyes say it all. Gwyneth Paltrow is drop dead gorgeous in Great Expectations with an air of superiority and snobbery that perfectly fits the cold man killer Estella with manipulative intentions. She tears through guys with a single glance or smirk. Paltrow knows she looks beautiful and alluring and uses it brilliantly to bring Estella to life with a captivating grace. Gwyneth Paltrow was unstoppable in the 1990’s with inspired dramatic role after role of tempting desire and deeply depressed characters.

Chris Cooper is very likable as Finn’s Uncle Joe. You can see this kind man raising a child, while remaining a normal man at heart. Cooper is very interesting in a nice guy role for once instead of his usual villains. Anne Bancroft is funny and compelling as the miserable bachelorette for life Ms. Nora Dinsmoor. She’s toying with Ethan Hawke in every scene as she cruelly uses Finn for her own spite. Robert De Niro is a genius actor as always as Lustig with a serious gravitas and gentle manner alike as the runaway prisoner turned gentleman. Hank Azaria is funny as the foolish Walter Plane, who is being used by Estella. Kim Dickens is very pretty and intriguing as Finn’s older sister Maggie. Nell Campbell, from Rocky Horror Picture Show, has a supporting role as the German art organizer Erica Thall. Lastly, Lance Reddick cameos as art collector Anton Le Farge in a funny event scene.

Steven Weisberg’s editing is steeped in 90’s cuts, giving Great Expectations a grounded and dreamy feel for a quick 111 minutes. You are there in every moment of intimate pleasure and pain, while the look of things captures an emotional honesty. It has an indie arthouse feel to it despite being a major motion picture. Tony Burrough’s production design has all manner of gorgeous sets and messy living spaces. Susan Bode’s luxurious sets are decorated with care. Patrick Doyle’s score is romantic and tender in every moment. I really enjoy the random assortment of 90’s alternative in the soundtrack as well. Judianna Makovsky’s costumes are rich with an alternative 90’s chic style.

In the end, Alfonso Cuaron was a fantastic director to adapt Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations into a contemporary classic drama.Read full review...

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