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Great Expectations Reviews

1997

60
from 4962 members

Alfonso Cuaron (The Little Princess) directed this Mitch Glazer screenplay, a modernization of the 1860-61 classic by Charles Dickens. Some situations in the film are presented as memories -- the way the central figure, Finnegan Bell (Ethan Hawke) recalls events many years later. At a Florida fishing village, eight-year-old .. Read more

Starring	Robert De Niro, Chris Cooper, Hank Azaria, Nell Campbell
Director	Alfonso Cuaron
Genres	Drama, Romance

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Critic's review of Great Expectations
View all critics' reviews (6)
- A modern version of Charles Dickens's novel, with its hero turned into a brooding artist; despite the care lavished upon it, the picture is devoid of life.
- 31407
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
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Most helpful member's review of Great Expectations
View all members' reviews (32)
- - 16
  - 2
  Medium Expectations
  
  This movie feels a bit flat and patchy and the characterisations are somewhat one dimensional. Paltrow is her usual pretty self, Ethan Hawke plays his usual ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 4493
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Daniel Carl
  - Kilmarnock, Scotland
  - 12 Apr 2004 at 11:30
Most recent members' reviews of Great Expectations
View all members' reviews (32)
- - 0
  - 0
  Great expectations not rewarded
  
  I was very disappointed in this very American adaptation of 'Great Expectations'. It lost the brooding quality of the earlier black and white version ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1040596
- - a customer
  - 14 Sep 2011 at 10:23
- - 2
  - 0
  Read the book instead
  
  I had expected this to be an updated version of the book, but it was simply an American love story. The film didn't grip like the book and I couldn't ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 920225
- - a customer
  - Abingdon
  - 02 Sep 2010 at 21:52
- - 3
  - 0
  If you love the novel, don't watch!
  
  What irritated me the most about this adaptation was the fact that the producers/script writers etc must have looked at the novel and decided that the only or ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 896663
- - CPcarlita
  - 1 review
  - Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
  - 06 Jun 2010 at 23:10
- - 1
  - 0
  Ideal as a mid-week film
  
  Enjoyed the film but i wouldn't want it to be a Friday/Saturday night staying in film.
  
  Report this review
- 853033
- - Laughingbear
  - 4 reviews
  - Wigan
  - 24 Jan 2010 at 18:22
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Expectations
  
  I didn't get any sense of love between Hawke and Paltrow. The angst between them just made me want to switch off, so I did. Perhaps my expectations were ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 735439
- - a customer
  - London
  - 31 Mar 2009 at 12:10
- - 0
  - 1
  green links
  
  Enjoyable. A sort of love story loosly based on the novel by Dickens. Visually beautiful. I don't know why the protagonists wore green.
  
  Report this review
- 735138
- - Lesley
  - 37 reviews
  - London
  - 30 Mar 2009 at 20:04
- - 0
  - 0
  Dickensian adaptation
  
  I think this adaptation of Dickens novel is watchable but not outstanding and a little long drawn out in parts whilst lacking in action.
  
  Report this review
- 735060
- - Mal
  - 98 reviews
  - Gloucester
  - 30 Mar 2009 at 17:06
- - 0
  - 0
  Let down after the book
  
  I decided I should have read some of the classics and picked Great Expectations as my first. It wasn't all that brilliant, but at least I know what people ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 666580
- - Jamie Cameron
  - Camberley
  - 30 Nov 2008 at 13:01
- - 1
  - 0
  Disapppointed
  
  The tv serialisation was much better than this film which in places seemed dull, boring and slugish. Better off reading the book and imagining the characters ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 665077
- - a customer
  - Bristol
  - 26 Nov 2008 at 22:37
- - 0
  - 0
  great expectations
  
  I suppose because I had no great expectations I was somewhat surprised and delighted to rate this with 5 stars....I found it to be beautifully acted,the music ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 637086
- - popsea
  - 3 reviews
  - Clevedon
  - 30 Sep 2008 at 16:35
View all members' reviews (32)

- - 16
  - 2
  Medium Expectations
  
  This movie feels a bit flat and patchy and the characterisations are somewhat one dimensional. Paltrow is her usual pretty self, Ethan Hawke plays his usual ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 4493
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Daniel Carl
  - Kilmarnock, Scotland
  - 12 Apr 2004 at 11:30
- - 6
  - 0
  Green Keys
  
  A wonderful spin on the Dickens classic which offers the viewer a fresh look at a the timeless subject of 'small town have-not pursuing the big city dream&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 314953
- - AndreasI
  - West Yorkshire
  - 24 Nov 2004 at 14:03
- - 5
  - 0
  WELL WORTH WATCHING - not just an afternoon film!!!
  
  This film would appeal to a more sensitive soul, someone interested in character dramas or independent films (rather than mainstream action films). I didn'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 183551
- - a customer
  - Manchester
  - 10 Dec 2005 at 15:58
- - 3
  - 0
  A really good film, ...
  
  A really good film, not what I was expecting. Excellent story line and great characters. A nice afternoon film!!
  
  Report this review
- 33190
- - a customer
  - LICHFIELD
  - 15 Apr 2004 at 19:04
- - 3
  - 0
  Read on....
  
  A thoroughly enjoyable film!
  
  Slow, somewhat laboured start while it sets the scene, then picks up pace and is punctuated by a superb cameo ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 65724
- - a customer
  - Herts
  - 20 Jan 2005 at 17:29
- - 3
  - 0
  Real good movie
  
  This is one good movie, and absolutely worth watching. It is subtle and at the same time intense. The emotions are real and beautifully picturised. Havent seen ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 253016
- - a customer
  - surrey, uk
  - 09 Jun 2006 at 13:12
- - 3
  - 0
  If you love the novel, don't watch!
  
  What irritated me the most about this adaptation was the fact that the producers/script writers etc must have looked at the novel and decided that the only or ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 896663
- - CPcarlita
  - 1 review
  - Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
  - 06 Jun 2010 at 23:10
- - 2
  - 0
  Rubbish!
  
  It's really quite a feat to take a great story and make a thoroughly rubbish film, but they've succeeded.
  
  Report this review
- 483852
- - a customer
  - London
  - 10 Oct 2007 at 16:17
- - 2
  - 0
  Awful, or just terrible...?
  
  Having partaken in various discussions around the meaning and underlying concepts of this BOOK (yes, it was a book first), I find it difficult to transpose ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 538239
- - Drane
  - 1 review
  - Norwich
  - 11 Mar 2008 at 22:24
- - 2
  - 0
  Read the book instead
  
  I had expected this to be an updated version of the book, but it was simply an American love story. The film didn't grip like the book and I couldn't ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 920225
- - a customer
  - Abingdon
  - 02 Sep 2010 at 21:52

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Critics' reviews
- A modern version of Charles Dickens's novel, with its hero turned into a brooding artist; despite the care lavished upon it, the picture is devoid of life.
- 31407
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- "...Exciting....It's the films very lightness which confirms Cuaron as probably the most graceful director to emerge in Hollywood this decade..."
- 9956
- - Sight and Sound
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...Paltrow and Hawke are dazzling....Cuaron imbues their journey with something rare in movies: a genuine romantic spirit..."
- 9955
- - Rolling Stone
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- While remaining largely faithful to the narrative thrust of Dickens' novel, CuarÃn's version is hugely different from... read more on Time Out
- 44649
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:14
- "...Mr. Cuaron is such a voluptuous visual stylist, this GREAT EXPECTATIONS is capable of wonder..."
- 9953
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...Spellbinding camerawork and sexy leads keep this romance lushly entertaining..."
- 9954
- - Premiere
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59

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- Great Expectations
  
  Alfonso Cuaron (The Little Princess) directed this Mitch Glazer screenplay, a modernization of the 1860-61 classic by Charles Dickens. Some situations in the film are presented as memories -- the way the central figure, Finnegan Bell (Ethan Hawke) recalls events many years later. At a Florida ...