The trailer has such a fun tempo - it certainly beckons one to go see it and have an enjoyable time. That was what I did. To my surprising delight, Douglas McGrath did an admirable adaptation and with a stellar cast of 'heavies': Christopher Plummer, Tom Courtenay, Jim Broadbent, Edward Fox, Nathan Lane, and Timothy Spall, with Juliet Stevenson, Alan Cumming, Dame Edna, along with Charlie Hunnam in the lead role, Jaime Bell as Smike, Anne Hathaway as Madeline - it was fabulous, indeed. Of course, it's the usual Charles Dickens tale of the good will triumph over the evil, not without much struggle and hard work to earn the happy ending - but McGrath made it much bearable, even with amusement, than the 1946 black and white version (1 hr. 47 mins.) with Cedricke Harwicke.
I was glad the prolific Rachel Portman collaborated once again (last won Oscar 1996 for McGrath's "Emma") on the music score - it beautifully carried the story along. The whole experience was more cheerful than any PBS masterpiece theatre series in spite of the dark betrayals and atrocious deeds. It's quite breezy for all the details covering The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby - all in 2 hrs. 10 mins. I enjoy the interlude moments here and there, as with Nathan Lane sitting in front of his stately parlour, treating Nicholas and Smike to tea. Such relieving touches are simply refreshing.
There are so many good films all at once: 25th Hour, About Schmidt, Adaptation, Antwone Fisher, Chicago, Far From Heaven, Frida, Gangs of New York, The Hours, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Movern Callar, Narc, The Pianist, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Talk To Her, and yet to catch: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Quiet American, Love Lisa, Max, Spider. Nicholas Nickleby is just as worthwhile and quite entertaining. What can I say, go enjoy also this wholesome Dickens film!
I was glad the prolific Rachel Portman collaborated once again (last won Oscar 1996 for McGrath's "Emma") on the music score - it beautifully carried the story along. The whole experience was more cheerful than any PBS masterpiece theatre series in spite of the dark betrayals and atrocious deeds. It's quite breezy for all the details covering The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby - all in 2 hrs. 10 mins. I enjoy the interlude moments here and there, as with Nathan Lane sitting in front of his stately parlour, treating Nicholas and Smike to tea. Such relieving touches are simply refreshing.
There are so many good films all at once: 25th Hour, About Schmidt, Adaptation, Antwone Fisher, Chicago, Far From Heaven, Frida, Gangs of New York, The Hours, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Movern Callar, Narc, The Pianist, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Talk To Her, and yet to catch: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Quiet American, Love Lisa, Max, Spider. Nicholas Nickleby is just as worthwhile and quite entertaining. What can I say, go enjoy also this wholesome Dickens film!