Great Expectations (2023) User Reviews (107)

It's a disappointing adaptation.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 5/10 · 31 March 2023]

I have to be honest, I groaned when I heard that this was being remade, with the array of possibilities, this seemed like a very uninspired choice.

I am curious as to some of the one and ten star ratings, neither made any sense to me at all, I simply don't see how it can evoke such strong feelings either way.

The word that came to my mind, was predictable, from the casting, to the visuals, right down to the presence of Olivia Colman, it's almost as if The BBC has tried to go right back to basics, but they've just missed the mark.

As you'd expect from The BBC it's very well made, it's also very well acted, no issue with either quality, but it just lacked something, I can't say I feel enthralled by further episodes. It's guilty of being dull.

It feels so unnecessary , and it is by far the weakest made for television adaptation to date, I grew up as a kid with the terrific adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins and Jean Simmons, it never left me, I find it hard to picture this leaving such a mark on anyone.

It looks great, some of the language used feels out of place, but it lacks any real sparkle.

5/10.

A reimagining if what's not in the book

[sperkinz · 4/10 · 9 April 2023]

It got worse and worse. It started out ok. There were a few instances of context that are not in Dickens, references to opium and the slave trade, and there was some clunky dialogue where women explained they were not ok with second class citizenship. That was ok. I felt it was unnecessary personally but I can see the temptation to make obvious to a modern audience what is implied or inferred.

By episode three it went off into scenes that are not in the book in any way and dialogue that has nothing to do with the novel. It is also slow paced. So much plodding music and a brooding boy. Makes you wonder why it was made.

what the dickens were they thinking of

[howboutthisone_huh · 5/10 · 2 April 2023]

Despite the casting I think you could produce this story with donkeys if it was told and presented well. I'not one to say what dicken's intended or meant but I've been watching this story since I was a kid and so far I don't see any of that in this series. Great cast. How can you say anything bad about oliva colman. It's not her fault they made her look like a fool. She doesn't look like a woman jilted and aged unwell hanging on to the past. She looks more like the female ghost of xmas but made up for holloween. As I recall the story was mostly about envy, especially the envy for something out of your reach which ultimately creates the drama which makes the story timeless. Most of us can identify but it's rarely in productions these days because so much of the culture is narcissistic. So far I'm not getting any of that but a bunch of characters riffing on each other with their own silly purpose. I can't give the film a 0 because there's so much professional effort they got right but they forgot to tell a story, or whatever they're selling, not interested.

Disappointing

[jodyscott31 · 6/10 · 24 April 2023]

Several of my favorite actors are in this adaptation, and I really wanted to love it. With every episode, I hated this version more and more. The entire thing strayed so far from the book and other adaptations. I get the creative license and interpreting it in a unique way, but my great expectations for this adaptation did not come to fruition. I think my disappointment was in the Pip storyline most of all. There were a few things I did like about this interpretation but it was from other characters mostly. I know Great Expectations is generally depressing, but this version was so extremely depressing and full of heartache and negative scenes (even gross scenes), that it really turned me off. I will not be watching this version again (I have previous versions on DVD).

Beyond Appalling

[martimusross · 1/10 · 31 March 2023]

Great Expectations

My main criticism of this is it is not Dicken's, it is not an adaptation it is not a reworking it just has no connection to the novel so needs a different title. Great works of art exist as the artist intended it is not for anyone to effect great change over the words, the plot or the characters, even if Dicken's novel is the source material.

It is difficult to now address this series as Dickens in any way, the dialogue was reworked losing the beautiful words, we had expletives that grated, the plot was rearranged for no apparent purpose, the casting was bizarre and the idea that these changes made this great work accessible is absurd. Dickens novel is so totally accessible in the first place.

Lastly the idea that this introduced Dicken's to a new generation of viewers is laughable, they are not watching this they are glued to Netflix, the BBC just keep insulting their core audience.

I forced myself to watch this, to give it justice and hated it with a vengeance. Who was this made for, who watched it, all counts no one!

1 outta 10, this was rubbish avoid it.

Shame on you

[rjjqqgnb · 1 April 2023]

I was anticipating this show with great expectations. I circled the day on my calendar. I was looking forward to the deep, colorful characters and masterful story telling and beauty of Charles Dickens. Instead, I found the outline of Dickens' story clothed in a gaudy and perverse costume. I was shocked by the steep incline into evil and darkness. I suggest that rather than having your soul assaulted, tuck a copy of the book Great Expectations under your arm and head for a quiet place to read. Even better, find a friend to go with you and take turns reading out loud. Enjoy the gift of Charles Dickens in all its glory.

Left me thinking

[dbrowne99 · 7/10 · 1 May 2023]

So it seems that many are hindered by the excellent adaptations in the past being their "expectation". Y s they were great and yes this one did stray from the genius that is Dickens more than I'd like. However, the book is much darker than any adaptation, including this one and I query how many have actually read it. I was lucky enough that my first experience with the story was the book and no adaptation has come even close to it. This.one does not differ there but it was dark, subversive and had the unusual element of keeping me guessing. The cast were very good although I didnt find Estella cold enough or Pip snobby enough, the filming excellent and the pace spot on . Did I like the ending? Not as much as I hoped but like I say nothing has or will come.close to the cold raining November night in the late eighties when I turned to the last page and that is not the fault of any adaptation. That would be because Dickens and his incredible story telling.

Dreadful, simply dreadful

[thedivinewoman · 1/10 · 3 April 2023]

I actually don't know where to begin. I have given up on it now and I think I only stuck with it so long to see if it could get worse and it managed it.

This is the result of modern laptop jockeys who think they are better than Charles Dickens and that he needs to be rewritten and his stories need extra added inclusivity, foul language and sex and drugs references. Hint - THEY DON'T!! Dickens is regarded as one of the greatest British authors for a good reason, because he was. His novels and serial stories in magazines highlighted social injustice of the time,something millennials, Gen X and Gen Z have no understanding of.

Just do yourself a favour and watch David Lean's sublime production instead of this modernised pile of steaming horse manure.

Loosely based

[philosophybug1 · 8/10 · 24 April 2023]

This story was loosely based on the Dickens novel which I always loved. I enjoyed seeing the characters come to life in a different rendition of a familiar tale. I thought the casting was good, the acting was good, and I like the diversity of the cast. My only con is it got to the ending a little to fast. Would have liked a little more development in the end concerning Pip's decision and how it ultimately affected Estella. I though the actor playing Mr. Jaggers did very well and Ms. Havisham was also very good. Both Magwich and Compeyson were convincing as well.

Overall, I enjoyed and looked forward to each episode. I always like seeing renditions of good books. I didn't mind that this one took a lot of liberties.

Really not that bad

[bazzer-57663 · 7/10 · 27 March 2023]

Well that's the first episode and it was rather better than I'd been led to expect.

As something of an expert on the novel (I studied it for four long years at school and can still recite most of it from memory) I actually don't mind a bit of licence being taken. I might've preferred the retention of somewhat more of Dickens' marvellous and often highly comic dialogue but, in general, so far I find the production quite respectful of, and in keeping with, the original.

My main beef is simply, why? We already have so many screen adaptations of Great Expectations and there are plenty of other classic novels deserving of attention.

I do feel that anyone giving a one-star review should declare whether they have actually read the novel or whether, instead, they are basing their ire on some idealised notion of the tale from some previous screen adaptation.

Perhaps they could also let us know whether they were also furious about black elves in Amazon's Rings of Power.

This is not Dickens

[whistlestop · 2/10 · 9 April 2023]

I would hate anyone who hasn't read the story to watch this and think that this is what Dickens wrote. Charles Dickens would not recognise this dark relentless chunk of misery as his warm, witty and engaging coming-of-age story Great Expectations. The only redeeming feature is the acting of Olivia Colman, superb as always, although why make her such a nasty opium addict? The script bears hardly any reference to the book, and the language used is disgraceful. Where are the many light hearted moments, the amusing conversations, the wry observations? I have endured three episodes and have no engagement or sympathy with any of the characters. I do not intend to subject myself to any more of this dross.

The Early 19th c. meets the Early 21stc.

[jromanbaker · 9/10 · 26 March 2023]

I cannot say I ' like ' this version of Charles Dickens' novel, but I admire its audacity and the brutality it shows, juxtaposing as I see it the beginning of the 19thc with this early part of the 21stc. Everything I saw on the screen tonight is appropriate to the world we live in now, and the violent society we all live in. Perhaps not all as some have safely sheltered themselves from it. The acting so far is good, and in its way the confrontation on the Kent Marshes between young Pip and the escaped convict is in some ways less shocking than in the David Lean version. As for Pip's age, yes he does look older than in previous versions but so what ? Children grew up fast then as they do now, and many lead equally hopeless lives now as he does. He wants to escape from constant physical assault, and his acceptance of going to Miss Haversham's house I thought was quickly and beautifully done. Olivia Colman is perfect as the reclusive woman who wants company for her ward Estella, and she just has to utter the first few sentences to show that a perverse nature exists within her, justified or not. I would like to repeat that this version is utterly appropriate for our times, and is not covered in the mothballs of the usual ' classic ' novel format, and I am relieved to see the BBC move away from that. So why do I not take to it ? Perhaps because it is so utterly filled with the darkness that many people practically anywhere are enduring. It is depressing, but then the original book is almost equally black. The writer of this version has pushed that world screaming into our age, and to dislike that is a compliment.

Not your grandmother's Great Expectations

[thejdrage · 6/10 · 16 April 2023]

Not your grandmother's Great Expectations. Certainly not Dickens' Great Expectations. The "F" bombs alone set it apart. Far far apart. Other reviewers mention the lack of Dickens' use of language. Ain't that the truth!!

I thought there were only 3 episodes so decided to watch it all. It certainly has excellent costumes and sets. Miss Haversham's bedroom alone is worth it. My question is: How on earth can anyone dust it all?

Once Jagger appeared, it took a turn for the better. He is so brilliantly evil!! The first shot of him is beautiful - enjoy it! It only gets better, as does he.

In fact, he's the only reason I'll watch this non-Dickens Great Expectations. That and to get another glimpse of Miss H's bedroom.

If you want to watch a true masterpiece - watch the 1942 movie, "Great Expectations". THAT's Dickens and cinema's best.

A classic case of "the book was better"

[jjjj · 2/10 · 3 April 2023]

It's okay for a movie or show to depart from the book it's based on, but if it does then don't we want it to at least do something interesting with the differences? If this series chooses to show Pip as a moody romantic teenager rather than as a child, then couldn't he at least be given some personality? The screenwriters do keep some bits of Dickens' writing -- which stand out from the rest of the wooden dialog -- but otherwise there's no individuality in the characters: they all speak more or less the same way, even those (such as Joe and Pumblechook) from completely different backgrounds. The show is all atmosphere and scenery at the expense of acting and story.

Olivia Colman has become a parody of herself

[Makkers1 · 21 April 2023]

I knew this was going to be a crass modern pandering to a public sector committee adaptation.

It is poor and to be honest it's the way British drama has been for the past 20 years. They just haven't got any originality or thought in how they will achieve a good drama.

This new, sigh, reworking has all the hallmarks of la-dee-da acting and production. Nothing works. The backstory of the each character is pitiful.

Nothing works like the original. We don't want 2023 values thrust upon an adaptation that's set in the early 19th century. Lord of the rings, or power rings or whatever it's called did the same and it ended up as a pile of rot.

Avoid this drama.

Wow a Woke Great Expectations

[stefanchikm-2018 · 7/10 · 10 April 2023]

Be warned this is a woke version of the classic Dickens novel and surprisingly not in a bad way. As my second favorite Dickens work after A Christmas Carol and one that I have read multiple times you might expect me to take issue with the many updates and embellishments in this production.

But that is not at all the case. The addition of frank and open discussion of Britains role in the 19th century slavery and opium trades in the context of Pips character development as he comes of age only improves and enhances the original work.

I am shocked at the negative rankings and reviews. Maybe these reviewers don't have the same deep knowledge and appreciation of this novel and its historical context as I do. In any case I highly recommend this mini series.

Flatter than the landscape of the marshes.

[aufo-91281 · 2/10 · 27 March 2023]

Dickens was a wonderfully descriptive writer- but there's no richness of story in the first episode.

It is like watching a plodding unimaginative story recounted in a flat voice by someone who can't be bothered.

It isn't the cast's fault- indeed the casting is probably the best part of this version.

I found the relationship between Pip and Joe curiously cold.

I simply found I couldn't care about what happened next.

Perhaps some previous versions have just been too good.

My all time favourite was years ago-with a wonderful Stratford Johns playing Magwitch. I was hoping for something like that this time.

I don't think I'll watch the rest.

It has made me want to re-read the book again.

Modern Filmmaking on a Classic Story

[SeanGThomson · 6/10 · 5 April 2023]

This production is much better than many of the reviews posted here, and is of a high quality I think a lot of reviewers ignored to complain about what they think they should have seen.

I took from this production a way of showing the Dickens story in a way that showcases many modern film techniques, which is refreshing. The director and team stayed consistent with their tone and approach, holding a dim and moody tone very well.

Worth mentioning is the near flawless filming, audio lighting and sets. This show looks incredible start to finish.

Now I recognize this is a dry show (which again, likely the director's vision) and its pacing is slow. It's better watched as a moody film student might rather than someone looking for a good time.

Try to watch this with an artistic eye, without comparing it to previous Great Expectations productions.

One of the dumbest series of all times

[tranat71 · 1/10 · 16 April 2023]

They need to never hire the writers and directors of this series for making one of the worst TV series of all times .

How can anyone screw up a masterpiece novel that most of the world love so much? How on earth?

I know how - hire the dumbest writers and directors to do it. That's how.

Let's add stupid crap into the series.

Let's change all the characters around. Let's make Estella and Havisham ugly as hell. Let's make Pip dumb as hell and get him doing drugs and drinking alcohol. Let's add a bunch of F-bombs to the dialogue. OMG.

Let's just screw up everything as much as possible.

Hard to believe how anyone can possibly royally screw up a masterpiece novel.

first reaction. Oh dear god

[nnmbrookes · 9/10 · 3 April 2023]

First reaction. Oh dear god.....Steve knight wrote the screenplay of our most quintessential wordsmith using the 'F' word !! And I so wanted to hate it. But then I started to analyse what was going on. Dickens is most recognised for his amazing characters so how do you get a modern audience to understand the nuances of why they were as they were. We are meant to loathe Pips sister sara but simple meaness would have done it for a Victorian reader but not now. So knight depicts her as a sleazy dominatrix. Well NOW I hate her. Jaggers has been shown as a pure evil Machiavellian. His arrogance and strutting gait is a perfection of acting (Bravo Mr. Ashley Thomas) The modern audience can revel in the mental illness of Olivia Colemans Miss Haversham as Knight explains her prison of the mind created by the use and misuse of a Victorian woman as chattel. Financially buoyed on a background of slave ownership. Tom sweets expressions of fright, fear, apprehension and dread are so much more entertaining than the simplistic terror of other performances.

The cinematography is delicious, the acting is stunning and the new layers in between the plot and characters are a joy to watch. Ok Mr. Knight ........you are forgiven.

Re telling

[ropelawshiel · 6/10 · 12 April 2023]

The important word here is adaptation or re-telling. As many reviewers have pointed out, this is not Dickens, or maybe Dickens in a parallel universe. I have read the book, and it is a wonderful and very funny story. This version is not that, nor does it take away anything from the book; it is seen through a different lens, warped, yes unpredictable, yes the same landscape twisted; as I said, I loved the book, and I have enjoyed this. I did not watch this with any expectation, only the knowledge that it was a drama (I found the book to be a comic drama). The casting is a little woke, but this is the BBC, and it is to be expected. Go into this with no great expectations, and you may find, as I did, an unusual tale oddly interpreted.

"Copy and paste Hollywood" embraced by the Beeb

[El-Kapitoshka · 2/10 · 30 March 2023]

I love Dickens. And while his stories often explore dark themes, it seems the BBC have taken it to a new level here with this depressing rendition of Great Expectations.

Of course Guardian readers will love it and anyone that loves postmodernism (which is clearly the target audience). The bizarre language is way off and full of swearing which seems totally out of place considering the writer.

The casting is...well what we expect - full of not so great acting other than Coleman who is (to be fair) great in anything she does.

One to avoid sadly. I was looking forward to it - but have been reminded why its important to be cynical rather than cringingly positive about new adaptions.

This will be forgotten very quickly along with the likes of many new films and series.

Another Stephen Knight masterpiece

[webjunk-62635 · 8/10 · 1 May 2023]

One of the great mysteries of today is why pedantic masochists who have read the book then watch a series decry a series whine pitifully because "it is not in the book", it's not like the book" it's not...not...not...not....

My how they must have REALLY hated Stephen Knights's Christmas Carol.

I loved this version and applaud the great performances. Like "A Christmas Carol" a very dark retelling of the story which is well crafted; from the apparent crooked business of some characters to the delightful twist of their good hearts. The despair of the unrequited love and the slow revelation of self.

Fools who decry it whilst not even bothering to watch a whole episode do not deserve such quality programming and should retreat to their beloved book versions to avoid such disappointment at their own attention span.

Great series. Watch it.

Brings Something Different

[JoshuaMercott · 7/10 · 1 September 2023]

Taking several pages out of the classic novel written by Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations" captured a slice of literary history in ways that were equally emotive and evocative.

It brought a multi-layered approach to retelling the original "Great Expectations" story while adding a touch of modern dramatism to give it a signature 'oomph'.

Great acting and superb costumes further entrenched the credibility of the show. A distinct sense of subtext prevailed through the plot. One could, if time permits, draw numerous parallels to modern day from the 2023 "Great Expectations" mini-series.

London 1839, and thereabouts, came to life. They went to 'great' lengths to recreate every detail from this era. I loved how lush and intricate everything looked.

The story stayed true to its original form by tracking the troubles and travails of an orphan boy named Pip Gargery. As a kid, he served as a blacksmith's apprentice.

His future took a turn for the fortuitous when a mysterious benefactor took him under her wing and brought him to London where he was taught the ways of high society to fulfill a tricky social agenda.

There were other character arcs as well, rife with revenge, murder, corruption, crime, deceit, and more. Watching this show made me appreciate the book even more. It still surprises me how Dickens created a tale so fictious yet so rooted in reality.

Abuse of privilege, class differences, and the sheer hypocrisy of human beings all captured a relatable and relevant picture, as seen through the eyes of Dickens back in the day and these show-creators in recent months.

Exceptional performances from Olivia Colman (as Miss Havisham), Johnny Harris (as Abel Magwitch), Trystan Gravelle (as Compeyson), Hayley Squires (as Sara), Rudi Dharmalingam (as Wemmick), Ashley Thomas (as Carmichael J. Jaggers), Matthew Needham (as Mr. Drummle), Shalom Brune-Franklin and Chloe Lea (as Estella; older and younger versions), and Fionn Whitehead and Tom Sweet (as Pip Gargery; older and younger versions) defined "Great Expectations" in all the right ways.

Bear in mind that every character and event in this story was based on a bygone era where the social norms were almost alien compared to modern times. Beliefs and so-called 'great expectations' were markedly different back in the day. When seen through that lens, this adaptation certainly took on a life of its own.

The mini-series succeeded in capturing the manifold vices and shortcomings of humankind in intriguing and, at times, bone-chilling ways. I enjoyed everything they did with this show, though its finale was slightly rushed.

All said and done, "Great Expectations" season 1 seems to have become another under-rated gem from the world of literary adaptations.

Not for me!

[Cheshire55 · 1/10 · 29 March 2023]

I was looking forward, immensely this new adaption of the Charles Dickens classic. However, after one episode, I will not be watching anymore.

I find it, frankly, depressing that to bring great expectations up to date, we have to litter the dialogue with bad language. Probably says more about the current climate and society than it does about the production team.

I'm not sure what else to write, if you enjoy, classic stories, retold, with unrealistic, casting, unrealistic, dialogue, and characters, given rather bizarre tastes, then this is probably right up your street.

If you enjoy classic literature and like to see it on the screen reasonably faithful to the original, then this really isn't for you.