Great Expectations was a film that I didn't have great expectations for. It just seemed like another of the ten films that Gwyneth Paltrow does each year. However, this film has a good story, above-average performances and some of the most artistic visuals I have seen in any recent films.
The main storyline of this film was adapted from the famous Dickens novel of the same name. Only the names of the characters and the time that the story takes place are changed. The central theme of the film is based on the forbidden love between Finn (Ethan Hawke) and Estella (Paltrow) and how they can never achieve it. At the cause of this is Estella's aunt who was left at the alter many years ago by her rich fiance, making her vow to get back at all men. She decided to use the enchanting Estella as bait for the unsuspecting victim. That person being Finn is captivated by Estella for many years, never really reaching her along the way. Eventually Estella leaves and breaks Finn's heart accomplishing her aunt's goal.
Both Hawke and Paltrow give good performances to this film, but are both overshined by the shorter performances by Anne Bancroft (Estella's aunt) and Robert DeNiro (a convict who supports Finn's art career). I believe that if DeNiro's performance had more to do with this film, it would have been one of my favourites of 1998. The direction of this film is nearly flawless and the cinemtography is award-worthy. The way the atmosphere of Florida and New York are captured simply haven't been done in most other films.
Perhaps the only thing lacking in this film was a true ending and you might understand what I mean if you have seen this film. A full recommnedation.
7/10 stars.
The main storyline of this film was adapted from the famous Dickens novel of the same name. Only the names of the characters and the time that the story takes place are changed. The central theme of the film is based on the forbidden love between Finn (Ethan Hawke) and Estella (Paltrow) and how they can never achieve it. At the cause of this is Estella's aunt who was left at the alter many years ago by her rich fiance, making her vow to get back at all men. She decided to use the enchanting Estella as bait for the unsuspecting victim. That person being Finn is captivated by Estella for many years, never really reaching her along the way. Eventually Estella leaves and breaks Finn's heart accomplishing her aunt's goal.
Both Hawke and Paltrow give good performances to this film, but are both overshined by the shorter performances by Anne Bancroft (Estella's aunt) and Robert DeNiro (a convict who supports Finn's art career). I believe that if DeNiro's performance had more to do with this film, it would have been one of my favourites of 1998. The direction of this film is nearly flawless and the cinemtography is award-worthy. The way the atmosphere of Florida and New York are captured simply haven't been done in most other films.
Perhaps the only thing lacking in this film was a true ending and you might understand what I mean if you have seen this film. A full recommnedation.
7/10 stars.