THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD
UK, 2019, 118 minutes, Colour.
Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Aneurin Barnard, Ben Whishaw, Benedict Wong, Bronagh Gallagher, Daisy May Cooper, Jairaj Visani, Boyd, Gwendolyn Christie, Rosalind Eleazer, Morfydd Clark, Nikki Amuka- Bird.
Directed by Armando Iannucci.
Charles Dickens was a man of the theatre, loved performances. He was also a man of media, not only publishing his books but serializing them, happy to have avid readers looking forward to the next episodes… Which would mean that he probably has enjoyed many of the stage versions, film versions, television versions, miniseries of his popular and classic books. Which also means that, at least in principle, he would enjoy this Personal History of David Copperfield. It actually begins in a theatre, David himself coming to the stage and beginning to tell his story.
I can imagine that Dickens would have had long and vigorous discussions with writer-director, Armando Iannucci whose credits range from early Alan Partridge television to his political satire The Think of it and the film, The Loop, writing the US comic series, Veep, quite a range!). The two would discuss what episodes have been included. What episodes have been omitted. The treatment of particular characters, the different emphases, the highlights of David Copperfield’s personal history, the low lights. (And certainly, there are both.).
One of the interesting discussions he might have had with Iannucci is about the casting. Acting is acting – and, in theory, any actor should be able to take on any role. Sometimes this might seem incongruous. Sometimes this might seem anachronistic. (And lately, appropriately and inappropriately, it might be politically incorrect.) But, it is all acting – a female Hamlet, an African Henry VI… And, this is certainly what happens here in this version. Dev Patel (striking in Slumdog Millionaire, Exotic Marigold Hotel, Lion) has an Indian background as do the two little boys who play David. Throughout the film, as with the students at Mrs Steerforth’s school, with Mr Wickfield and his daughter, Agnes, a variety of British character actors with a variety of ethnic backgrounds take on the roles.
I think Dickens would have been delighted with the recreation of his 19th century, the upturned houseboat on the beach at Yarmouth, the hardships at the bottle factory of Mr Murdstone, the hovels and houses in the streets where Mr Micawber and his family end up, the strange school where David meets Steerforth and is introduced to the cringing Uriah Heep, the mansion where Betsy Trotwood lives, shooing away the donkeys trespassing on the property, dealing with her eccentric cousin, Mr Dick and his head filled with the troubles from Charles I’s head as he ascended the guillotine.
This gives the opportunity to indicate the range of the cast: Peter Capaldi as Micawber, Hugh Laurie as Mr Dick, Tilda Swinton has Betsy Trotwood, Ben Whishaw as Uriah Heep, Aneurin Barnard as Steerforth, Benedict Wong as Mr Wickfield. And there are a whole lot of other wonderful character actors including Daisy Mae Cooper as Peggotty.
For audiences who are fastidious about the pristine quality of the novels, probably any version is anathema. Those who can easily acknowledge that David Copperfield in every other medium is an interpretation, authentically Dickensian or not, may find this interpretation worthy of consideration.
Here is a visual synopsis of Dickens’ novel, often sumptuously presented, most interestingly well acted by an eccentric cast, David Copperfield in 118 minutes.
1. The popularity of the novels of Charles Dickens? His stories? The tradition of films and television programs?
2. Different interpretations, David Copperfield in two hours, the highlights? The title with the personal history? Creating the overall impression of David and his story?
3. Dickens’ fondness for theatre, this theatrical version, the dramatic highlights? A satisfying overview of the novel?
4. The multi-ethnic cast, the range of backgrounds? The universal nature of performance and acting, assuming roles and interpreting them? Britain as multi-ethnic in the 21st-century? The strong cast of character actors?
5. The recreation of the period, Yarmouth and the upturned boat, London, the factory, the streets, accommodation? The school? The mansion in the countryside? The boats and ships? Colourful presentation? The musical score?
6. David Copperfield and his narrative, his coming into the theatre, on stage, announcing the personal history, the range of audience watching? The actors playing the young David? Dev Patel and his appearing with the others? The young actors and their verve?
7. The buildup to David’s birth, the atmosphere, his mother and pain, the difficulties, Peggotty and her assistance, the uncle, Betsy Trotwood arriving and being commanding, expecting a girl, the birth? Her reaction? A boy?
8. Peggotty, benign, the uncle, the adoption of Ham and Emily, their life, work in the market, and David writing down all the sayings, encouraged by Peggotty?
9. David’s mother, the arrival of Murdstone, Jane with him and her taking control, first impressions, the insistence on good manners, correcting David, the marriage, Jane taking over the household, David and his lessons, criticisms, the beating, his being sent away?
10. David in the factory, the hard work, the machinery, the bottles, the young people working, wary of David, becoming friends, the breaking of the bottles, the boss and his assistant, docking the pay? The years passing and David growing up?
11. The Murdstones visiting the factory, the news of David’s mother’s death, her funeral past? David being cast adrift? Boarding with the Micawbers?
12. Micawber, forever in debt, smooth talk, his concertina (and the later getting it from the pawn shop by Mr Dick), the house, poverty, his wife and children, their cheeriness, range of creditors, the pursuit, the tactics to avoid them? His being ousted, going to debtors’ prison? His later reappearance at the school, his contact with David, his attempts to
teach the classes, the comic touches, the boys’ reactions?
13. David, going to the house of Betsy Trotwood, his exhaustion, her manner, shooing away the donkeys, the discovery of Mr Dick, Mr Dick and his room, his brain, Charles I and his worries, in his mind, writing them down, David’s solution of putting pictures on the kite, flying the kite and getting rid of the bad thoughts?
14. Mr Wickfield and Agnes, coming to the mansion, Mr Wickfield and the law, his habit of drinking, the finances, the school and David going to the school?
15. Mrs Steerforth, the accommodation, her fussiness, David meeting the boys, meeting Steerforth, friendships, lessons, Mr Micawber and the reaction?
16. Uriah Heep, his place in the school, forever kowtowing, his dominant mother, pseudo-humility, inviting David to tea, David going, the heavy cake, Heep’s ambitions, getting the job with Mr Wickfield, taking control, the swindle, forging the documents, his downfall?
17. Aunt Betsy losing the mansion, coming to London, with Mr Dick, poor in the room? Meeting Mr Micawber and family?
18. David, the friendship with Agnes, her wise advice? David and his job, as a proctor, work in the office, the squeaking floors, listening to Dora and her singing, falling in love, attempting to propose?
19. Dora, her character, youth, the dog as a puppet? Her visit to Aunt Betsy and Aunt Betsy trying to persuade her to give up the match? The eventual proposal, everybody happy? Her gradually realising that she was out of place? Her leaving?
20. David and Steerforth, his friendship, taking him to Yarborough, meeting Peggotty, Ham and Emily, the uncle, his being at home, working in the market, the boat, sailing away with Emma? The search, in France, the search in London? The news of Steerforth and his return by boat, the storm, Ham diving into the water, Steerforth’s death?
21. David and the exposure of Uriah Heep, Betsy Trotwood getting the manor back, Mr Dick returning, everybody reunited? David and his appreciation for Agnes? Their marriage, the baby?
22. David, his talent for writing, his room and desk, his success in writing, the responses?
23. The captions throughout the film, and David finally discovering his true self?
