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Part autobiography, part social satire, Charles Dickens’s eighth novel, David Copperfield, was also his favorite—a lovable character’s journey through youth into adulthood. And the eccentric figures and random adventures all come to life in the most whimsical way imaginable in the latest adaptation, The Personal History of David Copperfield.
The Personal History of David Copperfield follows the adventures of a young boy (Jairaj Varsani) whose carefree childhood quickly falls apart. After his father’s death, his mother soon marries a harsh, unsmiling man, who sends his stepson away to work in a bottling factory in London. As he grows into a young man, David (Dev Patel) finds himself going through an endless series of highs and lows: wealth and poverty, love and loss. But, through it all, he keeps fighting, caring for the motley group of family and friends who make their way in and out of his life.
If your main exposure to Charles Dickens has involved Scrooge and Tiny Tim—and maybe some stuffy English literature class—you might be surprised by the playfulness of this film. Throughout David’s life, he has some pretty spectacular adventures—and he meets some decidedly quirky companions, making the film often delightfully over the top. Peter Capaldi’s Mr. Micawber is a boisterous, upbeat character who’s constantly on the run from creditors. Tilda Swinton was perfectly cast as David’s wealthy aunt, who’s cold and harsh, with an irrational hatred of donkeys. And Hugh Laurie is hilarious as her cousin, wild-eyed Mr. Dick, who’s about as crazy as they come.
Of course, that’s not to say that the story isn’t without its tragedies. David suffers loss and hardship time and time again, but his determination—and the quirky characters around him—keep the story from becoming too heavy. And despite the title character’s flaws and weaknesses, Patel makes him incredibly charming.
Admittedly, the comedy here may sometimes feel a bit extreme and off-putting. At times, it feels like a Victorian Seinfeld, with eccentric characters in a series of amusingly unusual experiences. It’s certainly a strange film, but that’s what makes it so oddly entertaining.
This adaptation of David Copperfield does take plenty of liberties with a very lengthy original story—and, between the colorblind casting and the over-the-top comedy, it’s probably not what most viewers might be expecting. But it’s an intriguing story of struggle, heartbreak, and redemption, presented with a healthy dose of whimsy.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
