The Personal History of David Copperfield

The Personal History of David Copperfield
Starring Dev Patel, Tilda Swinten, Hugh Laurie, Aneurin Barnard
Directed by Armando Iannucci

There's been several films accused of "whitewashing" - casting white actors to play minority characters.  Films like "Gods of Egypt," "Exodus," and "The Great Wall" have been accused of casting white actors for non-white roles, and suffered at the box office because of that.  Very few films have been accused of "colorblind casting" - where they cast without considering the actor's skin color, ethnicity, body shape, sex or gender.  Recent films like "Artemis Fowl," "Birds of Prey," and the upcoming "The Batman" have used colorblind casting in their roles, and it's the same with director Armando Iannucci's "The Personal History of David Copperfield," giving his own spin on the classic Charles Dickens novel while still maintaining its heart and core center.

Charles Dickens (Dev Patel) tells his story to a theater filled with patrons who are dying to hear his tale.  He talks about his childhood, when he was brought up with a cruel stepfather who forced him away to work and toil, until he grows up and attends a private school in the hopes of becoming a true gentleman.  He lands a prestigious job that allows him to afford his own place and gains a group of friends, before it's all ripped away and he's left with nothing again, and has to find a way to come back from the bottom once again.  Throughout his roller coaster life he was shaped by those around him - from his loving, caring maid Peggotty (Daisy May Cooper) to his eccentric Aunt Betsey (Tilda Swinton), to the even more eccentric Mr. Dick (Hugh Laurie) and the accordion playing Mr. Micawber (Peter Capaldi), showing that it's not about the destination of life, but who you spend your life with that's the most rewarding.

I've never read "David Copperfield," and this is actually the first film version I've seen of the book, and many say it's not exactly like the book, but relatively close - the striking difference is in the multi-ethnic casting.  The story itself seems like something Dickens would craft, producing full, rich, developed characters that are more than the sum of their parts, and who offer unique insights into the world around them that differ from person to person, providing a unique look at life during that time.  We see the world through the eyes of Copperfield, but also thanks to those around him, see how the world can be shaped and molded despite its stagnant nature.

Dev Patel shines as Copperfield, a young man who's wise and intelligent, but also a bit whimsical and offbeat, and we see this due to his terrible upbringing, being forced to work at a young age for hardly anything, loosing his mother, and having no one to depend on.  Yet he's not alone, as we see those around him during his see-saw journey of life and how each one shaped his life.  It's not difficult to understand the underlying theme of the film - rags or riches, all that matters is who you're with.

The film shines with an eclectic mix of performances alongside Patel's mostly-even character.  Peter Capaldi's Mr. Micawber has his own rough go at life, but maintains a smile and laugh even as he's avoiding creditors and debtors.  Daisy May Cooper's Peggotty has the biggest early influence on Copperfield's life, a larger-than-life woman who gives Copperfield his intelligence and his whimsical nature.  Yet its Tilda Swinton's Aunt Betsey and Hugh Laurie's Mr. Dick that truly steal the show as the most kooky pairing, but it works so well.  Swinton's Aunt Betsey is hilarious as she's often kicking donkeys out of her yard, while Laurie's Mr. Dick is pure Laurie acting in his truly offbeat manner. 

The set designs are purely Dickens and purely exquisite, and really transports you to the time period, and director Armando Iannucci takes intricate care in bringing the story to life on the big screen due to his pesonal love of Dickens (he even hosted a 2012 BBC television special called "Armando's Tales of Charles Dickens").  The dialogue is purely Dickens, and even though the only Dickens work I've ever read was "A Christmas Carol," I can still sense Dickens in the essence of this film.

Nowadays we're looking for that feel-good film, a movie that'll take us out of our current dire situation and transport us to somewhere more magical, and "David Copperfield" manages to accomplish this even though Copperfield's life isn't as different as many of ours, but the delivery of the concept of friendship and love overpowers any negativity that Copperfield faced in his life.  His friendships formed and shaped the character, and seeing the unique mix of supporting characters is heightened by the colorblind casting that makes it more modern-day relatable for a larger community than just the Caucasian persuasion, and makes us appreciate those around us a bit more.

Bringing a beloved Charles Dickens novel to life, "The Personal History of David Copperfield" highlights the importance of friendship and the impact of people around us in how we see the world, and proves that no matter how rich or poor we find ourselves, it's those around us who are the best gifts.

The Score: A+