Review #30 | "Great Expectations" (2012)

"Great Expectations" lives up to the ranks of simply stunning films. Stunning. Costumes, lighting, cinematography, editing, and performances (for the most part) are simply flawless. The 2+ hour film flies by in a whirlwind of action and revelations. Always on your toes, even fans of the novel by Charles Dickens will be swept away with anticipation.

Holiday Granger and Helena Bonham Carter stun as the strong female leads of Estella and Miss Havershim. Where Jeremy Irvine sometimes falls flat onscreen as Pip, the chemistry between him and Granger is palpable. Ralph Fiennes is a chameleon as Magwitch and reminds the audience of key themes of the narrative.

The costumes, especially for Estella, are simply breathtaking and are reminiscent of other films such as "Anna Karenina." If more of the cast required elaborate costumes, the designer, Beatrix Aruna Pasztor, may have been nominated for her efforts, perhaps with an Oscar nomination.

Everything about film plunges the audience into a suspension of belief. The world director Mike Newell created is so elaborate and refined that one cannot take their eyes away. Every department of the creative process made that world possible.

You will not regret giving 2 hours of your time to watch this film, and perhaps another two hours the next week to try and catch more details. This creation is worth a rewatch. Perhaps with a few tweaks here and there "Great Expectations" may have gotten more recognition. On the surface it has all the right qualities, but correcting some infrastructure issues could raise the bar. Although, it must be hard to make this film live up to its name.

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Rated PG-13. Rune 2 hours 8 minutes.

Directed by Mike Newell. Starring Toby Irvine, Holiday Granger, Ralph Fiennes, and Helena Bonham Carter.