Here's the deal with "Great Expectations." Either you're familiar with Charles Dickens' famed story and numerous adaptations or…you're not. If you fall into the former camp, you're likely wondering what compelling reason there is to check out Mike Newell's latest crack at it. If you're in the latter, you might be wondering what the gauze budget was for Helena Bonham Carter. In any event, a new U.K. trailer for the movie hopes to win over both sides.
Indeed, if anything the film is handsomely put together and the cast is nothing to sneeze at mixing up rising stars like Jeremy Irvine and Holliday Grainger along with veterans like Carter and Ralph Fiennes. But alas, it's not enough. Our review out of TIFF liked the film okay, but summed it up by saying that "superficially there's a lot to admire, but few things to actually fall in love with. It falters under the weight of its expectations."
"Great Expectations" will close the BFI London Film Festival before opening in the U.K. on November 30th. No stateside date just yet. Watch below. [Vlicious!]
Also, this just must be a completely cosmetic criticism, but I don't think that Holliday Grainger is appropriate casting for Estella. She is meant to be the most amazingly beautiful woman in the world, and – whilst Grainger is pretty – I have a hard time believing any man would dedicate their entire lives to her. Same goes with Mulligan in 'Gatsby.'
A period drama with Sally Hawkins in a supporting role, eh? I guess it is that time of year again.