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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Brand: PALTROW,GWYNETH EAN: 0024543000051 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Number Of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Publisher: 20th Century Fox Region Code: 1 Release Date: May 21, 2002 Running Time: 111 minutes Studio: 20th Century Fox Theatrical Release Date: January 30, 1998 Sales Rank: 6110 MPN: 024543000051
Description: The moment young Finn sets eyes on Estella, she becomes his inspiration and his obsession. Despite being warned, "she'll only break your heart," he vowed to win her love. Years later, thanks to a mysterious benefactor, aspiring artist Finn is off to New York, where he is reunited with the icy and beautiful Estella. When she agrees to model for him, Finn's dearest hopes may at last be realized-along with his darkest fears!
Amazon.com: 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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Aan Unexpectedly Great Makover of the 1946 Movie
This is a great makeover (not a remake) of the English 1946 black and white film which was much closer to the Dickens original both in time and setting when it begins: South East England just after the ... Read More
Rating: - Pretty but dull
I remember enjoying this film as a teenager, before I had read the book. I found Miss Havisham glamorous and eerie and Estella and Pip's watery kiss's enticing. Now that I have not only read the book, but ... Read More
Rating: - Sensual but confusing.
Great Expectations starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow is a sexy film but the fault doesn't lie with the actors but rather with story. The two stars have never been better, their chemistry is intoxicating ... Read More
Rating: - A work of art
What a great adaptation of the brilliant Dickens novel. Alfonso Cuaron has directed a gorgeous and utterly romantic movie. There's beauty and poetry in every shot, and the scene where Finn declares his love to ... Read More
Rating: - Has its moments
Every time I think of this movie, for some reason, the beautiful score comes to mind. I can't get it out of my head, it really is addictive. As for the movie, it is certainly watchable, but lacking. The performances ... Read More
- Aan Unexpectedly Great Makover of the 1946 Movie
- Pretty but dull
- Sensual but confusing.