The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

Having just read the rich, lengthy novel, and then watched the more recent Charlie Hunnam version of Nicholas (which, for reasons of time cut many of the more curious characters), I thought this 200 minute version might be worth a look, and it certainly is, capturing the feel of a busy, dirty London contrasting with the purity and leisure of country living, a frequent Dickens theme.

The lead character, featured almost constantly, must be appealing, and James D'Arcy is certainly that, capturing the 19 year old inexperience of Nicholas as he challenges the cunning money-grubber that is his uncle, coldly played by the excellent English actor Charles Dance; this is a long film, but I enjoyed it all in a leisurely afternoon--even knowing the shocking outcome in advance, I was never bored, all the characters from poor, sad Smike to the sleazy schoolmaster Squeers played with convincing richness by a large cast--Pam Ferris is a particular joy as the childishly smitten Fanny Squeers. Not a great classic in the mold of the David Lean Great Expectations, but very much worthwhile.