The Personal History Of David Copperfield

Story: Set in the 1840s, the film follows the life and relationships of David Copperfield (Dev Patel).

Review: David Copperfield (Dev Patel) is born into a chaotic world but even as a young boy shows some charming traits. Things change significantly for him when his mother, a widow, marries the cruel Mr Murdstone, who gives young David a tough time. David is packed off to work at Mr Murdstone’s bottling factory and to live with Mr Micawber (Peter Capaldi). As David grows up, circumstances force him to move in with his aunt Betsey Trotwood (Tilda Swinton), where he meets the eccentric Mr Dick (Hugh Laurie). These characters inadvertently shape David as he tries to find his calling as a writer.

At first, it may be slightly jarring to see Dev Patel, a British born actor of Indian descent, as the distinctive British character David Copperfield. The cast is filled with coloured actors of mixed ethnicities which make it apparent that director Armando Iannucci and his co-writer Simon Blackwell are looking to tell their version of the famous Charles Dickens novel. Their treatment gives it a very quirky air with a lot of energy and giddiness.

Dev Patel is endlessly charming in the titular role, jumping from one scene to the next handling physical comedy, cheeky impersonations and sly witticisms with equal ease. He’s in great company with the always surprising Tilda Swinton as his aunt Betsey Trotwood, who faces regality and poverty in equal measure. Still, she never loses her poise thanks to the chameleon-esque Swinton. Hugh Laurie plays Mr Dick, who has dementia but is always endearing. Peter Capaldi plays Mr Micawber who is constantly down on his luck but is otherwise well-meaning. Ben Wishaw plays Uriah Heep, who initially appears to a humble, subservient clerk, but has other intentions.

A strong cast with a lighter, effervescent take on a Victorian-era novel is promising, but the film tries too hard to be quirky while leaving out the emotional core of the story. The tonality focuses more on having fun at the cost of its heavier themes. It becomes an issue when most scenes are played for laughs above all else, and the film’s third act faces the brunt of it. Despite all its excellent performances, the film doesn’t quite deliver as a lightheaded yet heartwarming take on a classic tale.