The Personal History of David Copperfield review – Iannucci skillfully makes Dickens 1850 novel modern
There has been a sea of films set in the past this award season. We have looked back at the world wars with 1917 and JoJo Rabbit and the American civil war with Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women.
But no reinterpretation of history has been as delightfully playful and modernist as director Armando Iannucci adaptation of the well-known Charles Dickens novel.
Dickens’ The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery is truly brought to life with vivid interpretations of the actors, especially the wonderfully versatile Dev Patel.
Much has been said about the race-blind casting of the film and the true disregard for the expected race of the cast is highlighted throughout the film.
Dev Patel himself previously praised the brave choice of Iannucci and told NME: “In past iterations, I haven’t seen myself represented on that screen.
“I definitely didn’t think it would appeal to me or speak to me, but Dickens is a truly universal story. I see Dickens on the streets every time I go to India, and it’s relevant to America too.”
Patel, a Londoner of Indian heritage, perfectly embodied the whimsical and surreal life of the Dickens character – truly making a case for ignoring ethnicity in casting.
The true success of the film how easy it is to forget about the ethnicities of the characters amid their charming performances.
The bright sets and vivid imagery makes the storytelling so fast-paced in a contrast to traditional adaptations of the Victorian era.
Seeing Copperfield witnesses his own birth at the start of the film immediately makes the audience aware of the surreal cinematic journey they are about to undertake.
However, the most memorable part of the film is by far its characters. With this the director captures the heart and soul of what has made Charles Dickens and his work so iconic.
Dickens is regarded as the greatest creator of characters in English fiction (after Shakespeare, of course) but it is this aspect that often fails to come to life in film adaptations.
And as Copperfield writes down his observations of the colourful individuals around him, the small phrases remain with the audience – truly imbuing the skill of Dickens’ writing in the film.
Each character is flawlessly executed by the cast, especially Ben Whishaw who perfectly captures Uriah Heep’s unsettling social interactions and subservience.
Ultimately, the charming adaptation motivates you to pick up Charles Dickens’ classic which is really the best thing any book adaptation can do.
The Personal History of David Copperfield is screening in cinemas now.
