The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020)

Delightful is the best way to describe director Armando Iannucci's adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield. The story, windy and twisty and I imagine challenging to adapt, is captured by Iannucci by telling it in a fanciful, whimsical way. As the novel itself is modeled after "personal histories" which naturally are remembered differently than probably what really happened, the license is there for Iannucci to have his protagonist tell the story in a way that doesn't need to necessarily adhere to reality. This allows the film to be joyous, fantastic, and find lovely ways through the messy life history of the famous Copperfield.

Iannucci is bold in his reimagining of this world. His film is colourful and jumps through time and space quickly. But it is all grounded in a very compelling and rich characterization of Copperfield played with exuberance and mirth by Patel who owns the role. Patel is supported by a wonderful cast who completely embrace the esthetic and lean into its madness.

If there are any faults with the film it is in how it simply isn't quite successful in containing its entire story. Especially near the end, the film rushes through to get to where it needs to get. Sometimes Iannucci finds marvelous ways to skip ahead such as in having Dora ask David to writer her out of the story as she "doesn't fit." It is melancholy and sweet while avoiding the need to work through that plot complication. Other times the film feels rushed such as David finally realizing what we've all seen all along, that Agnes is the perfect fit for him. However it is easy to forgive the film as it just remains such a pleasure to watch.

The film is damn funny. I laughed out loud throughout. This is a talented cast of comedians and they pull it off. But it is also just the richness of this story of personal triumph. Dickens often focuses on the injustices of the British caste system and Copperfield is no exception as our main character careens from through wealth, poverty, powerlessness, and riches. The film's whimsical approach softens this but still holds true to the mission.

Far less cynical than Iannucci's last film The Death of Stalin, in many ways The Personal History of David Copperfield is an about face. It is a celebration of life and it's lovely.

The Personal History of David Copperfield
Starring: Dev Patel, Aneurin Barnard, Peter Capaldi, Morfydd Clark, Daisy May Cooper, Rosalind Eleazer, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Wishaw, Benedict Wong, Gwendoline Christie
Director: Armando Iannucci
Writers: Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci