The Personal History Of David Copperfield is nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Dev Patel at the 78th Golden Globe Awards.
To even attempt to breathe new life into a classic tale such as Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield requires an innovative creator who will push beyond what others have chosen to do with the oft-adapted novel. To have the mind behind The Death of Stalin and TV’s critically-adored Veep at the helm is an important first step. The Personal History Of David Copperfield finds director and co-writer Armando Iannucci expanding beyond his darkly cutting comedies of the past to a new level of directorial achievement that is reminiscent of Wes Anderson or a young Terry Gilliam. The trick to this particular version is taking the dense source material and honoring it, all the while shaping it to fit the gentle, whimsical sensibilities of the auteur. For a story that is over 170 years old, the film crackles with a modern energy that propels the narrative from place to place with a comforting hand.
From the opening moments of the film, Iannucci eases you into the notion that this is not going to be the same-ole stuffy period piece. Our dapper adult protagonist, David (Dev Patel), stands in front of an assembled audience to spin the tale of his life story. He guides us into the past where he offers commentary on his entry into the world, and the film sets off like a bullet from there. Young David has a really warm, loving relationship with his single-parent mother (Morfydd Clark, playing double-duty in another role later in the film) and his likewise maternal housekeeper Peggotty (Daisy May Cooper). It is upon the introduction of his cruel stepfather (Darren Boyd, Killing Eve) that David experiences the beginning of a cavalcade of hardships that will define his life. Boyd along with Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) play the loathsome Murdstone siblings, who eagerly send David off to work as an indentured servant in their bottle factory. David does find kindness with the perpetually impoverished, outlandish Mr. Micawber (Peter Capaldi, Dr. Who) and family, a bittersweet situation that will be all too familiar to David by the end of his journey.
One of the most innovative aspects of the film is the inspired decision to implement color-blind and ethnically diverse casting. We have been subjected to years and years of snow white period pieces, but this inclusive approach brings a vitality to the feature that allows it to feel more fresh and relevant than ever. The film does not even make the slightest of hints that something atypical may be at play, an approach that works beautifully as all of the best performers are cast in their roles. You cannot imagine anyone else bringing the earnestness and charm to the role of David in the way Patel does here. The delicate balance between the outlandish and the heartfelt is navigated brilliantly by Patel at every step, and the supporting cast of characters rise to his level. A highlight of the narrative is the detour to David’s eccentric aunt Betsey Trotwood (Tilda Swinton) and her delusional cousin Mr. Dick (Hugh Laurie). Not only does David recapture a sense of family with these two, but he uses his innate goodness to help them better their lives.
This episodic journey finds David criss-crossing across the lands and building upon his relationships to numerous ends. He builds an early sense of wonder in a house constructed into an overturned barge with Peggotty, her brother and other youthful foundlings. A school for gentlemen pushes him right in the middle of various characters that will vex him in one way or another, including the snooty Steerforth (Aneurin Barnard) and the conniving Uriah Heep (Ben Whishaw). David even finds the time for romance, although he cannot always see what is right in front of his face. His easy rapport with Agnes (Rosalind Eleazar) never fails to conjure the warm feelings. With all of these strong figures in his life, one of the main struggles David faces is learning who he wants to be in the world. A recurring event is characters saddling David with different nicknames which he bares with good spirit, but claiming his identity is essential to this burgeoning storyteller. He must become “the hero of his own story.”
The Personal History Of David Copperfield is a film that gracefully walks the line between satire and sentimentality. It might come off as slightly cloying to have a character who is so fascinated by people and open-hearted in his core, but the film makes this a very comforting quality. There are admittedly times when Iannucci plays things a bit more straightforward than you might wish, but the execution is so enjoyable that you cannot fault him for not being more whimsical. David Copperfield is a tale well-known by audiences around the globe, but the way in which the narrative has been crafted and performed in this iteration makes it feel brand new. Highly Recommended
The Personal History Of David Copperfield is currently available to purchase on all Digital platforms.
Disclaimer: Searchlight Pictures has supplied a digital copy of the film free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.