On DVD (released 1998). Rated R - 111 minutes.
Director Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men) is one of the few modern directors with an identifiable style. In Great Expectations he applies it to a modern take on the Charles Dickens novel, infusing it with impressive visuals and perspectives typical of his work.
Ethan Hawke stars as Finn, an orphan in love with local rich girl, Stella (Gwyneth Paltrow). He is a talented artist and is flown to New York for a show, only to have his heart broken by the ever distant Stella.
This is a good romance with interesting visuals, music and performances. I am a big fan of Hawke, and in this one Paltrow is attractive, its before she went British. Worth seeing in its own right, especially with the Cuaron factor. I saw it when it came out in 1998 and liked it, and it stood up well with a repeat viewing.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Great Expectations - B+
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2 comments:
i watched this at the time and liked it. i remember being particularly drawn to the visuals, especially the old, dilapidated house and the paintings themselves. paltrow is luminous. truly beautiful in a way that is all too easy to forget she ever was. the film lead me to read the book, which is truly great. the best dickens i've read (though, admittedly, i've only read a few).
Luminous is right. She's never looked better than in this one. Chris Cooper is also very good as the rough-around-the-edges surrogate father figure for Finn.
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