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Great Expectations 98
 
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Great Expectations 98

Ethan Hawke (Actor), Gwyneth Paltrow (Actor), Alfonso Cuarón (Director) | Rated: R (Restricted) | Format: VHS Tape
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)

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The key ingredient in this modern-day version of Charles Dickens's classic is director Alfonso Cuarón, who made the glowing, estimable A Little Princess. If you saw that (and you should), understand that Expectations has those ingredients (great sense of time, place, and timing) but adds modern music and sex appeal; the latter personified by the long-legged Gwyneth Paltrow.

Finnegan Bell (Ethan Hawke as an adult, Jeremy James Kissner at age 10) is the new version of Dickens's Pip. He's a child wise beyond his years, befriending an escaped convict (Robert De Niro) in the warm waters of Florida's Gulf Coast. Finn is also the plaything for Estella (Paltrow as an adult, Raquel Beaudene at age 10), the niece of the coast's richest and most eccentric lady, Ms. Dinsmoor (a fun and flamboyant Anne Bancroft). The prudish Estella likes Finn (catch the best first kiss scene in many a moon) but has been brought up to disdain men; she'll break hearts. As the object of Finn's desires, Estella unfortunately is a one-dimensional character, yet what a dimension! Clad in Donna Karan dresses and her long, sun-kissed hair, Paltrow is luminous. She and Hawke make a very sexy couple.

Mitch Glazer's script does better by Finn. He's a blue-collar worker with a gift for drawing (artwork by Francesco Clemente). Following his Uncle Joe's (Chris Cooper) honest ways, Finn grows up as a fisherman, thoughts of Estella and art drifting away in the hard work. When a mysterious benefactor allows him to follow his dream, Finn finds himself in New York, preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime art exhibit--and in the arms of the engaged Estella.

Filled with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's golden-drenched light, the film has an irresistible, wildly romantic look. Dinsmoor's place is certainly gothic, Estella and Finn's longing encounters glamorous. Cuarón uses an MTV-friendly soundtrack with a confident touch. Songs by Tori Amos and the band Pulp--along with Patrick Doyle's silky score--create passionate scenes. It all ends far too swiftly with a seemingly tacked-on ending (reflecting the book, as it happens) but the film is splendid storytelling. It's a stylish, sweet valentine. --Doug Thomas

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Customer Reviews

142 Reviews
5 star:
 (78)
4 star:
 (32)
3 star:
 (11)
2 star:
 (7)
1 star:
 (14)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (142 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie, Mar 1 2012
This review is from: Great Expectations (DVD)
The movie is simply brilliant. It always keeps you on your feet from the beginning till the end. It is a spectacular movie and it deserves a lot more credit for the message that it is trying to convey towards the audience.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie, but NOT the book, May 22 2010
This review is from: Great Expectations 98 (VHS Tape)
If you want to go see a competant modernized version of one of the best books of an era, then go see it, but do so with an open mind. If, however you want to read one of the best books ever written, then read the Dickens. I actually enjoyed the movie.(All of you wanna be negative professional critics can save it for something much more juicey to skewer. The book is what it is...a book. It will never be the ultimate motion picture, it just doesn't translate that well to the screen. Read the book a few times and you will become aware of it's absolute genius. If you don't (become aware) try Stephen King for reading ... For movies maybe Animated Disney Films might interest you more!
Brian F. Burke Jr.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Where's the beef!, Nov 7 2011
By 
Ronald Townsend (Wainwright, Alberta) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Great Expectations (DVD)
A young boy meets an escaped convict who threatens him with death so the boy helps the convict escape. The boy then meets an eccentric middle aged women with a pretty but bland daughter. The story now jumps to the boy as an unsuccessful man but successful artist. The movie ends with a recap of the boys life accompanied with all the plots and insights we weren't privy too during the previous hour of viewing.
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