Great Expectations (1998)

Modernization of Charles Dickens classic story finds the hapless Finn as a painter in New York pursuing his unrequited and haughty childhood love.

Director:

Alfonso Cuarón

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), Mitch Glazer (screenplay)

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hank Azaria

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ethan Hawke	...	Finnegan Bell
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Estella
Hank Azaria	...	Walter Plane
Chris Cooper	...	Joe
Anne Bancroft	...	Ms. Dinsmoor
Robert De Niro	...	Prisoner / Lustig
Josh Mostel	...	Jerry Ragno
Kim Dickens	...	Maggie
Nell Campbell	...	Erica Thrall
Gabriel Mann	...	Owen (as Gabriel Mick)
Jeremy James Kissner	...	Finnegan at Age 10
Raquel Beaudene	...	Estella at Age 10
Stephen Spinella	...	Carter Macleish
Marla Sucharetza	...	Ruth Shepard
Isabelle Anderson	...	Lois Pope

Storyline

Based on Charles Dickens' timeless tale, this is a story of the love of a man for an unreachable woman. Updated to modern day New York City, the story concerns a man of modest background who falls in love with a rich girl. But when a mysterious benefactor greenlights the man to make his dreams come true, everything done has the ultimate goal of making Estella fall in love with him...

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Plot Keywords:

love | painter | gulf coast | charles dickens | florida | 

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Taglines:

Let desire be your destiny.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grandes Esperanças

Filming Locations:

Astor Place, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£672,376 (UK) (17 April 1998)

Gross:

£1,816,677 (UK) (8 May 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Art Linson Productions, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alfonso Cuarón always use the green (he even auditioned green eyed girls for A Little Princess) as the main color of its movies. He uses red and orange (complimentary and opposite colors) to make some remarks.

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Goofs

When Estella comes to Finn's hotel room to have him paint her, the soles of his feet are black. When Finn chases after her and gets into the taxi, his feet are clean.

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Quotes

Finn: Everything I have ever done, I've done for you.

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Crazy Credits

The credits are accompanied by images of all the artwork drawn by Finnegan Bell (Ethan Hawke). They run the entire duration of credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Little Britain: Bath of Beans (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Bésame Mucho"
Written by Consuelo Velázquez
Performed by Steve Lawrence (as Steve) and Eydie Gormé (as Eydie)
Courtesy of MCA Records
by arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

a visual masterpiece

Great Expectations is one of the few films that can incorporate stunning visuals, one of the best soundtracks to ever grace a film and simply characters that you truly care about by the end of the film.

It's true that the character development on the character of Finn is a little weak, but the characters of Estella and the over flamboyant and heartbroken Miss Dinnsmore certainly make up for Finn's minor flaws. Personally i found the film very enjoyable and immersive, and the incredibly imaginative cinematography will certainly keep anyone's attention as well.

This film is a stylish and brilliant remake of a classic and could almost be considered timeless compared to other recent attempts at "updating" the classics which fail in comparison(such as the recent failed attempt at romeo and juliet). Great Expectations is certainly worth a rental (or even purchase) for anyone that enjoys simply a good, immersive movie with some absolutely beautiful imagery.