It's kind of a long title. But nowhere near as long as the novel's full title: The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account).
David Copperfield (Dev Patel) tells the audience, both in-story and the real world, about his life. Born to a widowed mother, young David (Jairaj Varsani) is abused by his stepfather, Mr. Murdstone (Darren Boyd), who sends him away to a workhouse. His family there is the eccentric debt-ridden Micaawbers. When David's mother dies, he tells the Murdstones off and he goes to his also eccentric Aunt Betsey (Tilda Swinton). David soon finds employment with Mr. Spenlow (Matthew Cottle), falls for his daughter, Dora (Morfydd Clark), then rises to become a famous storyteller.
Iannucci and co-writer Simon Blackwell re-arrange or edits out bits of the novel for a nicely paced two hours. The storytelling devices make it a fun and unique take. David's introduction, addressing a Victorian audience, calls to mind Dickens' live-readings of A Christmas Carol. He literally walks through the first years of his life. Flashbacks are projected on the walls like movies. There's even a bit of silent movie undercranked wackiness. Mr. Micawber's (Peter Capaldi) introduction sees him deftly evade creditors like Chaplin or Keaton. Still, Murdstone abusing David wasn't fun at all.
Dev Patel as David is very much the hero of his own story, and an engaging one at that. But the eccentric characters along the way are quite memorable. Swinton as Betsey is hysterical, as is Hugh Laurie as her friend, Mr. Dick. Clark is great as Dora, as well as David's mother, Clara. Boyd as Murdstone is a cruel and contemptible villain. Ben Whishaw stands out as the sniveling, scheming Mama's boy, Uriah Heep. Capaldi as Mr. Micawber, though, is the best of the ensemble. Bennett Wong and Rosalind Eleazar are also good as Mr. Wickfield and his daughter, Agnes. There's just so many highlights in this great ensemble.
It's also a great looking and sounding film. The costume designs by Suzie Harman and Robert Worley are striking, but the best is Mr. Micawber's stylish wardrobe. The cinematography and production design is just as vibrant as the costumes. The boat house is a wonderfully unique locale. Christopher Willis's grand score adds to the film's larger-than-life story.
This is certainly Iannucci's most optimistic film. The Personal History of David Copperfield is a crowd-pleasing (even if that crowd is just a household now) film with a wonderful cast of characters. Its lighthearted tone hasn't forgotten how serious Dickens can get, though. But it turns out all right in the end. Although it came out in August, this film is sure to make a great holiday movie.
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