The Old Curiosity Shop (2007) (TV)

Director:

Brian Percival

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
Martyn Hesford (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 December 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A kindly shop owner whose overwhelming gambling debts allow a greedy landlord to seize his shop of dusty treasures. Evicted and with no way to pay his debts, he and his granddaughter flee. |

Plot Keywords:

Debt | Landlord | Gambling | Shopkeeper | Survivor

Cast

Derek Jacobi	...	Grandfather
Toby Jones	...	Daniel Quilp
Sophie Vavasseur	...	Nell Trent
Gina McKee	...	Sally Brass
Adam Godley	...	Samson Brass
Anna Madeley	...	Betsy Quilp
Adrian Rawlins	...	Jacob
Geoff Breton	...	Dick Swiveller
Bryan Dick	...	Freddie Trent
Zoë Wanamaker	...	Mrs. Jarley
Martin Freeman	...	Mr. Codlin
Steve Pemberton	...	Mr. Short
George MacKay	...	Kit Nubbles
Josie Lawrence	...	Mrs. Jiniwin
Bradley Walsh	...	Mr. Liggers

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Carnival Films

Movie Connections:

Version of "The Old Curiosity Shop" (1979)

Not at all bad, as a matter of fact surprisingly good

I do have a confession to make- I haven't read the book, so I can't judge how much this surprisingly good adaptation deviates from the source. The adaptation itself looks lovely, with wonderful period detail, stunning photography and costumes throughout. The plot is quite complicated, and once the adaptation gets going, after a fairly slow start, is fairly easy to follow. My other couple of complaints, are some weak scripting in places, and Sophie Vassaveur did look too old for Nell Trent. However, like I've already said, it looks beautiful, and the acting wasn't too bad either. Derek Jacobi rarely disappoints in anything he's in, and acquits himself well here as the grandfather, and Zoe Wannamaker is fine as Mrs Jarley. Quilp is played with magnificent seediness by Toby Jones, in easily one of his better performances. The other actors are good, but the ones I've mentioned were the ones that impressed me most. And I do have to mention the ending of this adaptation. When Nell dies, I do remember crying when I saw that, seeing such a likable character die on screen is enough to make anyone cry. All in all, it is flawed, but not at all bad. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox