The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

Directed by: Armando Iannucci | 119 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Dev Patel, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw,

Leave it to director Armando Iannucci to turn a Dickens film adaptation completely to his own (nice) hand. ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ is a playful, daring and highly original translation. Ianucci knows how to entertain both in image and word. With of course his buddy Peter Capaldi from ‘In the Loop’ (as Mr. Micawber) in the more than excellent cast: Dev Patel (David Copperfield), Tilda Swinton (Betsey Trotwood), Hugh Laurie (Mr. Dick) and Ben Whishaw ( like creepy Uriah Heep), just to name a few.

A colorful company of actors who put a colorful spectacle on the ‘mat’. There are nice finds in the film, such as the movie-in-movie pieces and the text repetitions with the protagonists. For lovers of language and frivolity, the film is a feast for the eyes and ears. But remember, it takes a while. The first fifteen minutes you think this is a movie for preschoolers, it takes a while to appreciate the distinct approach. Once recovered from this ‘fear’, the story picks up again and it turns out to be a unique, adult film.

‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ is about the personal development of David Copperfield. From poor to rich and back to square one to finally find his true calling. Orphaned, but with a cheerful disposition and a happy heart, he manages to overcome all the obstacles he encounters in his life. Along the way, he meets many special characters: the eternally black seed Mr. Micawber, his fiery Aunt Betsey Trotwood, the mentally tangled Mr. Dick, the sneaky Uriah Heep, and the staunch Steerforth (Aneurin Barnard).

The film is bursting with characters, good and bad, as well as a few love interests (Rosalind Eleazar/Agnes and Morfydd Clark/Dora), who take him through trial and error and help him find his true identity.

The endearing David, always on the go with his box full of characteristic sayings of people he has met, like an accomplished psychologist, devises a separate therapy for Mr. Dick. From orphanage to worker in a bottle factory and from boarding school to writer. From nobody to somebody, the Iannuci way. That kite may not be for everyone, but if you really give this film a chance, your senses will be well rewarded…