Martin Chuzzlewit
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Movie Reviews of Martin Chuzzlewit
Movie Review: CHARLES DICKENS AT HIS CONSIDERABLE BEST
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to obtaining this DVD, I was not familiar with Dickens' "Martin Chuzzlewit". Therefore, I will not attempt to compare the film to the book. The comparison thing along with a plot synopsis has been done previously, on this board, and it has been done very well. After viewing this BBC presentation I concur with the previous glowing reviews. This production of "Martin Chuzzlewit" is outstanding in every way. Most of all the acting, by all involved, is stupendous.
Tom Wilkinson (of "Full Monty", "Wilde" and many more films), as the extremely pompadoured and very hypocritical Seth Pecksniff is unbelievably good. I've seen Wilkinson in many films each time his performances are wonderful. His Seth Pecksniff is no exception-he is fantastic, as an outwardly solicitous man, but in reality, a very greasy opportunist-fantastic! Keith Allen, as the extremely dastardly Jonas Chuzzlewit is also great playing one of Dickens' "darkest" villains with relish. Paul Scofield, as the elder Martin Chuzzlewit is magnificent as a seemingly dotty old man; however in reality, he is a "see all and know all" wise old man. I've named just a very few of the great actors in this presentation. There are many many more.
As in many of Dickens' books there are many characters involved in many" plot twists" , unsavory happenings, reversal of fortunes, etc. This BBC presentation has done a superb job of dramatizing and of bring this story to the screen. The era being depicted is presented very well with the costumes, carriages, props, hairstyles, etc., seeming, to me, to be "spot on".
If you love a good Dickens' story and love good acting buy this DVD.
Movie Review: The Fascinating Chuzzlewits
Summary: 5 Stars
Dickens novels are replete with dialogue whereby, with pronunciation-spelling, linguistic quirks, and the expression of authentic feelings, the master is able to dilineate character and raise in the reader feelings of pity, sympathy, hatred, or any number of the more subtle emotions. Adaptations of Dickens' novels have, therefore, most, if not all, of their dialogue ready-made for them. The task for the script-writer and director is simply to select passages and to cast appropriately. The BBC series of Dickens' novels is miraculously expert at preserving the spirit of the dialogue and casting people who are uncannily right for the characters.
The BBC adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit, with Paul Scofied and Tom Wilkinson, among many many other capable actors, is no exception to the above. Scofield plays the two Chuzzlewit brothers with seeming ease, separating one distinct personality from the other. Wilkinson embodies the grasping, lecherous, hypocritically religious Pecksniff with commendable subtlety and restraint, making the character all the more despicable. One could go on and on, citing one actor after another. Suffice it to say that no one is miscast or fails to gives us what we might have heard and pictured when reading the novel.
By all means, read the novel first, for no dramatization, however expert, can capture Dickens' magnificent descriptive powers, which often reach Shakespearean heights. However, after the long reads that Martin Chuzzlewit, or Barnaby Rudge, or Dombey and Son represent, you should not fail to enjoy the remarkable translations of these novels to the screen by the incomparable BBC.
Movie Review: Beautiful Adaptation Of A Lesser Known Dickens' Work
Summary: 5 Stars
This version of MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT is a virtually perfect adaptation of one of Charles Dickens least known piquaresque novels. The production is perfectly cast and beautifully executed with authentic looking sets, costumes and locations. The story is told in six well paced episodes each of around an hour. And what a story it is with love, mystery, foreign adventure, betrayal, financial schemes, mysterious benefactors and both attempted and actual murder. The whole miniseries is very well acted but special praise to Philip Franks as Tom Pinch the real hero of the tale, Tom Wilkinson playing the horrid hypocrite Pecksniff and Keith Allen acting the part of the vile villain Jonas Chuzzlewit. Elizabeth Spriggs certainly looks and acts the part of drunken, opportunistic "nurse" Mrs. Gamp who was one of Dickens most beloved characters in his day. However she plays the part with such a heavy accent much of what she says was not understood by me. Minor characters are brilliantly portrayed with legendary John Mills playing the senile seeming Chuffey, Pete Postlewick the transformed Tigg and Peter Hugo Daley the black sheep Chuzzlewit relative turned policeman, Slyme. If you have enjoyed any of the Masterpiece theatre adaptations of Victorian classic novels you will love this production of MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT.Movie Review: An adaptation the way it should be done!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my Mother, but I hadn't realized how much I would also enjoy it. I saw this adaptation when it first came out and I was still a child, but seeing it again as an adult, I really can appreciate more of its humor and subtlety. Beyond this, since I read the original fairly recently, I can also say that it is very faithful to the book- in fact, the only problem that I had with any of it was that very little of the American scenes were included, and despite being an American myself, I thought that these were really one of the best parts of the book. However, the excellent performances (such as of Pecksniff, Jonas Chuzzlewit and Mr. Pinch) somewhat made up for this deficiency.
On the whole, I would say that this is an excellent adaptation and I highly recommend it.
Movie Review: Pleasantly Surprised
Summary: 5 Stars
I was not formerly acquainted with Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit until I read the reviews of it on Amazon. The previous ratings of 4-5 starts is certainly accurate. This Dickens' story is somewhat different from his other stories in that it ends on a happy note with none of your favorite characters dying or ending up in sad circumstances--which is prone to happen in most Dickens' stories. The characters are colorfull and well played by the actors. Paul Scofield does an excellent job playing Mr. Chuzzlewit. He actually plays a dual role, however, I will not disclose who it is. The story is very engaging and keeps you interested all the way through. Those who appreciate the true art of period BBC dramas will truly enjoy Martin Chuzzlewit.