Ciarin McMenamin as older David comes across as a little blank (especially in comparison with his expressive younger self). In a way it's understandable -- David in the novel is so occupied with holding together all the threads of the book and being impacted by so many colorful characters that he often seems to act as a background figure in his own story. Still, it would have been nice to see him engaging a little more actively in things. Joanna Page's Dora, by contrast, is so enjoyable that I found the character much more appealing than I ever have before. Another highlight in this section is Dawn French as Mrs. Crupp -- except I missed "I'm a mother myself," a classic line and the crowning touch to her character.
With the story condensed like this, Dickens's beloved coincidences are brought out in sharp relief, with Steerforth and Micawber popping up out of the woodwork almost simultaneously. (Agnes's "Sometimes it is wiser to leave the past alone" at this juncture makes me wonder if she would have been one of those "Facebook is evil!" people who are becoming so trendy just now.) I miss David's drunk scene; "Steerforth, you'retheguidingstarofmyexistence" is unfailingly one of the comic highlights of the book for me. Steerforth himself is very good, though he moons over Rosa too much instead of being playful with her, making their scenes work not quite as well as they should. I'm glad they kept his line about wishing he had had a judicious father. It's a profound and revealing insight.
Interesting choice to tell Ham that it was Steerforth he was going to save. It's a very rare thing for an adapter to make a character nobler than he or she is in the original work. Normally it's the other way around.
I love the ending (except I'd like to take both David and Agnes on What Not to Wear and get those frightful hairdos fixed). It was a lovely idea to finish up with Betsey Trotwood at last holding her longed-for goddaughter.
All in all, a thoroughly pleasant adaptation with some truly great acting. If there was a little falling off in quality in the second half, at least it wasn't nearly as sharp a decline as in the second half of Oliver Twist. Highly recommended.
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