Through Several Years of Hardship, A Young Man Searches for Success

Dev Patel in "The Personal History of 
 David Copperfield" 
Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com 

Although I love to read, I’m ashamed to say that the only two books by Charles Dickens that I’ve read are “Oliver Twist” and “A Christmas Carol.”  However, that’s not to say that I don’t appreciate his writing, and despite having not read much of Dicken’s work, I still enjoy watching an occasional adaptation of any of his books.  

Well, one of the biggest treats of 2020 cinema happens to be a movie based on his novel, “David Copperfield,” from which director Armando Iannucci brings us his latest movie, “The Personal History of David Copperfield.”  With his approach to the source material, Iannucci brings us a movie that’s funny, emotional, heartwarming, energetic, whimsical, and so enjoyable.

The story follows the titular character (Dev Patel) who goes from being an orphan to a young man who must overcome one burden after another in order to find and live the life for which he’s always wished.

Patel delivers a remarkable performance as David, an ambitious individual who works hard to overcome his difficult past.  It’s a spirited portrayal that immerses you in the character’s arc as he tries to make his way in the world and get through the people who try to hold him back.  Patel provides terrific work in exhibiting his character’s dislike and rage against his stepfather and his stepfather’s sister, while also showing his comedic abilities when interacting with some of the more eccentric characters.  Patel brings to life the charming Dickensian nature of his character, showing the enthusiasm that David displays when exploring England, a vivacity that makes this journey irresistible. 

Patel leads an unforgettable cast that’s hard to beat.  There’s Jairaj Varsani as a younger David; Aneurin Barnard as James Steerforth, David’s charming boarding-school classmate; Nikki Amuka-Bird as James’ strict mother; Peter Capaldi as Wilkins Micawber, David’s cheerful landlord; Morfydd Clark as Dora Spenlow, David’s bubbly love interest; Daisy May Cooper as Peggoty, David’s motherly housekeeper; Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood, David’s goodnatured great-aunt; Hugh Laurie as Mr. Dick, Betsy’s eccentric distant relative; Benedict Wong as Mr. Wakefield, Betsy’s booze-loving lawyer; Rosalind Eleazar as Agnes Wickfield, Mr. Wakefield’s hardworking daughter and David’s warmhearted confidante; Ben Whishaw as Uriah Heep, Mr. Wakefield’s conniving clerk who hides his ill intentions from his employer; Darren Boyd as Edward Murdstone, David’s cruel stepfather; and Gwendoline Christie Edward’s frigid sister, Jane.  This is a world-class cast that shouldn’t be missed, as each of them is given the opportunity to shine on screen.

The screenplay by Iannucci and Simon Blackwell, the latter of whom was one of the writers for Iannucci’s 2009 film, “In the Loop,” provides an exuberant amount of detail in terms of portraying David’s life on screen, so much so that, at times, David seems to rise above being a fictitious person and instead someone who lived.  Between all of the people he meets and all of the places to which he ventures, Iannucci and Blackwell construct a fleshed-out narrative that never lose any of its buoyancy.  In just two hours, you feel as though you’ve seen, and lived, someone’s whole life, and you come away from this movie feeling as if you really know these characters.

I haven’t seen “In the Loop,” but what I can tell from Iannucci’s 2018 film, “The Death of Stalin,” is that he has a talent for handling extensive casts and making sure everyone has at least one memorable scene.  He does superb work in coordinating the humorous pratfalls and poignant moments in which the characters find themselves, masterfully weaving in and out of the various tones that come from dealing with many characters and plot points.  This is an ambitious adaptation, not just in terms of balancing all of the cast members, but also when it comes to the abundance of period detail and making you feel as though you’re striding alongside David as he lives his many eventful years.

“The Personal History of David Copperfield” offers a personal history, indeed.  At the end, you don’t feel as though you’ve merely watched a movie, but also feel like you made a friend.

Grade: A