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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)
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Popularity
3,845 ( 1,069)
1 win & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Isabelle Anderson ... Lois Pope
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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. Written by Steve Richer <sricher@sympatico.ca>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Let desire be your destiny.

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The main character is named "Pip" in Charles Dickens' novel. But it was felt that the name would sound strange in modern times. The character was named "Finn" after Ethan Hawke's dog. See more »

Goofs

When Arthur Lustig visits Finn, Finn gives him his address as 111 Greenwhich St., which is south of the World Trade Center. The nearest subway stop is the Rector St. 1/9 train. Yet when Finn takes Arthur to the subway, they end up at the J/M/Z Chambers St. stop. When a subway train does come, miraculously it is the G train, which is the only train in the system that does not enter Manhattan at all. In addition, none of the above mentioned trains would take Arthur to JFK, his stated destination, without at least one transfer. See more »

Quotes

Finn: The night all of my dreams came true, and like all happy endings,It was a tragedy, Of my device, for I succeeded. I had cut myself loose from Joe, from the past, from the gulf, from poverty I had invented myself. I'd done it cruelly, but I had done it. I was free!
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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. See more »

Connections

Version of Great Expectations (1989) See more »

Soundtracks

Wishful Thinking
Written and Performed by Duncan Sheik
Produced by Peter Nashel
Duncan Sheik appears courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation
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User Reviews

 
Just what I expected.
29 March 1999 | by Peach-2See all my reviews

I went into Great Expectations with high hopes. The story has always been one of my favorites and I couldn't wait too see what they had done with it. The film is beautiful. It is very rich in color and scope. The cinematography was outstanding and the direction was solid. The acting was brillant all around. Robert De Niro is in the movie only briefly, but brings respect to a role that could be just a flash in the pan for anyone else. Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow are great and Chris Cooper turns in a very subtle but powerful performance as Finn's guardian. The film left me feeling good, what more could you ask for in a movie?


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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Portuguese

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Great Expectations See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,593,290, 1 February 1998

Gross USA:

$26,420,672

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$55,494,066
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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