B


I thought this was rather well-done, even though it was obvious that large chuncks of the source material were missing here. The acting is solid by the whole cast, no outstanding turns, though. All in all a decent Dickens adaptation and in whole a more satisfying film that Polanski's Oliver Twist.

{My original review from January 2003: }


I was quite disappointed with this new version of the classic Dickens novel, but then I fell in love with the 1947 Ealing Studios version when I was but a wee lad. Particularily poor was the title character actor (Jamie Bell, who was in almost every scene), and even the rest of the interesting cast (e.g.: Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent, Dame Edna (!), Nathan Lane) seems to be left hanging by this necessarily abbreviated screenplay. Only for the Dickens' movie completist.

2 out of 5.

Jamie Bell does not play the title character, Bradley! (Correction, five years later.)

This is a delightful adaptation. Christopher Plummer is particularly magnificent (and malevolent) and deserved an Oscar nomination.

Oops! At least he's in the movie as Smike.

Nicholas Nickleby is actually played by Charlie Hunnam, who went on to roles in Children Of Men and Pacific Rim.



Thanks for the correction - - nice catch!