Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

at first sigh - an inspired adaptation. in fact, admirable gem. for the high acting. for atmosphere. for the splendid manner to use great actors who explores each nuance of the novel. a film who impress for the grace and for the profound science of spirit of period. a film who reminds the spirit of realism and the heart of Dickens' work. themes and characters. emotion as seed of magnificent show. and the force to do more than a beautiful film but for rediscover the universe of Nicholas Nickleby in special manner. a film about virtues. who has the art to explore not only a novel but to use the lines of each novel by Dickens. and that virtue is the most important thing in this case.

Nicholas Nickleby (Hunnam) hatches a scheme to rescue a crippled young boy from virtual slavery and asks his friend Noggs (Courtenay) what he thinks of it. "May I say, it is foolhardy, redolent of danger, and doomed to fail. Aside from that I can think of no objection." I know, I know. It's an antique fiddling with rhetoric. It was probably old when Dickens deployed it.But there are several other comic moments that lift this dark story out of the gloom that threatens to envelop it. A terrified boy named Smike (Bell) is about to appear on stage for the first time, playing the apothecary in "Romeo and Juliet" before a formal audience. Hunnam as Romeo is alone on the stage. Then he shouts, "What, ho! Apothecary!" and waits for Bell to appear A moment passes. Several moments pass. The audience sits politely -- waiting. Finally Bell comes crashing out onto the stage as if thrown from the wings, which he probably was. Unable to speak, he gawks into the silent theater. More moment pass. Dynasties rise and fall, until he tentatively croaks, "Who calls so loud?" And the audience bursts into applause for him, having finally gotten the line out! I said the story was dark and except for a few brief moments, most of them involving Hunnam's involvement with the actors, it is dark. As is usual with Dickens, there are several deaths, the threat of an unwise marriage, poverty and violence, the gain or loss of fortunes. I won't get into all the sub plots.The production values are extremely good. Scenes of drear and misery alternate with idyllic shots of green meadows and Mattise ponds laced with lily pads. Make up and wardrobe are unimpeachable.The performances are all professional but two stand out. Christopher Plummer is the rich, mean uncle who exploits everyone and is possessed by spite. His conversion to humanity is a little abrupt but it's not Plummer's fault. He's hugely enjoyable. The other is Tom Courtenay, almost unrecognizable as Plummer's bibulous butler.It joins David Lean's "Oliver Twist" and the 1951 version of "Christmas Carol" as the best adaptations of any Dickens novel.

Having just finished the epic picaresque adventure that is Nicholas Nickleby, I was anticipating several of the filmed versions; this one does not disappoint, if for nothing else the career-capping fiendish performance by Christopher Plummer as the dark Uncle Ralph, whose living space is filled with birds pinned to the wall and stuffed cranes and skulls.Plummer's Uncle Ralph has been arrested in his emotional development and takes his frustration out on angelic Nicolas, his nephew. Nicholas, played with absolutely charm and believability by Charlie Hunnam, grows up as his adventures take him from Wackford Squeer's prison-like school for abandoned children to the dazzlingly colorful theatrical troupe run my Mr. And Mrs. Crummles--Nathan Lane, perfectly mated with Barry Humphreys in Victorian drag; Director McGrath and crew accurately reflect Dicken's contrasts of the dark sooty city of London and the halcyon greenery of the country, and while dozens of the novel's characters have been sacrificed to time, the true tenor and spirit of the novel, which includes Nicolas, the girl he loves and the faithful sadly twisted Smike, remains intact.This is a lovely adaptation of a long and complex book and the commitment of the cast and crew is wholly evident, producing a Dickens gem that captures the essence of the great novel in just over two hours.

Stunning photography, outrageous characters and a powerful, emotional story: that's Nicholas Nickleby, the 2002 adaptation from the famous book by Charles Dickens. I have not read that book, so this story was new to me and I couldn't help but be impressed.Hopefully, most people are still satisfied to see good people triumph in the end. With a Dickens story, you know there will be a lot to overcome, too, and lots of suffering and heartache along the way to a happy ending.Douglas McGrathdid a fine job directing this film. Dick Pope, director of photography (cinematographer) made England look as beautiful as any Merchant-Ivory film I've seen. Start-to-finish the landscape of England never looked prettier. Pope performed the same kind of magic two years later in "The Illusionist," a gorgeous-looking movie. Kudos to Rachel Portman for a magnificent score, too, with a beautiful, sweeping theme song. This movie is a treat for the ears, as well.Charlie Hunnam as Nicholas Nickleby was adequate; Christopher Plummer as his Uncle Ralph was very good and Jamie Bell as the unforgettable "Smike" was excellent. It's hard to believe he's the same kid who played "Billy Elliott" just a couple of years ago.Jim Broadbent and Juliet Stevens as the wicked, evil husband-and-wife-team who run DotheBoys Hall, a boys boarding school, were also memorable. Dickens also had cruel people mistreating little boys and these two personify cruelty. Two beautiful women: Anne Hathaway's as Nicholas' love "Madeline Bray" and Romola Garai as his sister "Kate" were both pleasant and easy on the eyes. As for supporting actors, I enjoyed them all as well, getting an extra smile from Timothy Spall and Gerald Horan and "Charles and Ned Cherryble" The same can be said for Nathan Lane and Alan Cumming, who provide much-needed comic relief and whimsy.I did not recognize Tom Courtenay as "Newman Noggs." I guess I still picture him from his younger and much thinner years. It's been almost 25 years since I last saw him in "The Dresser" and he's changed quite a bit.One other thing that was fun to observe in this film: everyone's vocabulary! , I loved how they expressed themselves, the good and the bad peopleOf the many well-put sentences delivered in this well-intentioned and high-minded film, I remember Nickleby saying near the end,"Weakness is tiring, but strength is exhausting."