Great Expectations (1998)

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

Director:

Alfonso Cuarón

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), Mitch Glazer (screenplay)

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hank Azaria

1 win & 3 nominations.

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 | gulf coast | florida | lawyer | girl | 

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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 Portuguese

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grandes esperanzas

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,593,290, 1 February 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$26,333,044, 29 March 1998

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$55,494,066

Company Credits

Production Co:

Art Linson Productions,Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert De Niro and Chris Cooper also appeared in Guilty by Suspicion (1991) and This Boy's Life (1993).

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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: That's a big cat! That's the biggest cat I've ever seen! What do you feed it?
Ms. Nora Digger Dinsmoor: Other cats.

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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

Version of Great Expectations (1989)

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Soundtracks

Bésame Mucho
Written by Consuelo Velázquez
Performed by Pedro Vargas
Courtesy of BMG U.S. Latin

User Reviews

The Green World

This movie, an absolute winner in many ways, lacked the recognition it deserved heavily, the wonderful green theme that runs throughout the movie makes it very pleasant for the viewing eye. Great Cinematography, Great Cast, Great music, add up to deliver a Great Movie which fulfils the viewers Great Expectations.