Directed by:
Douglas McGrathScreenplay:
Douglas McGrathCinematography:
Dick PopeComposer:
Rachel PortmanCast:
Charlie Hunnam, Stella Gonet, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson, Edward Fox, Anne Hathaway, Romola Garai, Tom Courtenay (more)VOD (2)
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Set in 19th Century England, the story revolves around the resourceful Nicholas Nickleby and his beloved family, as their world changes dramatically when tragedy strikes. The Nicklebys have always enjoyed a comfortable life; however when Nicholas' father dies, they are left penniless and are forced to leave their lives behind. Subsequently, Nicholas, his sister and mother journey to London to live with their Uncle Ralph, whom they soon discover is wicked. Uncle Ralph plots demonic machinations to scatter them apart from each other. Nicholas is sent away to work as a teacher at a school run by a cruel headmaster named Wackford Squeers; however, he eventually runs away with one of his students, Smike, on a mission to protect his family. Nicholas makes every attempt to reunite the Nickleby family--against all odds. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (1)
From previous encounters with adaptations of Charles Dickens's novels, I know that the British approach his literary legacy with the respect that is owed to a national classic. They usually spare no expense and engage famous names in the leading roles at the very least. Those are exactly the strengths of Nicholas Nickleby. However, there are some difficulties with the other aspects. Dickens wrote his novel in the 1830s. Although it falls into the better part of the contemporary production, it was not an innovative work, even within the author's oeuvre it is at best average. The simple moralistic story with traditional social themes has significantly black-and-white characters and is woefully predictable. The first third has a certain insight, provided mainly by the well-crafted family of the owner of the rural school. The second third is saved by the theatrical ensemble, but with the increasing minutes, the insight disappears and the film is dominated by naivety and sentiment. In the last third, I was cringing during some of the dialogues. Today we have higher education and culture has undergone a long development, so we are accustomed to more complex characters and more credible motivations. Perhaps this film needed to be less slavishly faithful to the spirit of the original work, as even a small shift would have been to its benefit. Overall impression: 45%.
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Gallery (31)
Photo © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM)
![Nicholas Nickleby - Photos - Tom Courtenay, Anne Hathaway, Charlie Hunnam, Barry Humphries](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/158/471/158471285_a97f67.jpg)