IMDb > Great Expectations (1998)
Great Expectations
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Great Expectations (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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Great Expectations (1998) -- Modernization of Charles Dickens classic story finds the hapless Finn as a painter in New York pursuing his unrequited and haughty childhood love.
Great Expectations (1998) -- Modernization of Charles Dickens classic story finds the hapless Finn as a painter in New York pursuing his unrequited and haughty childhood love.
Great Expectations (1998) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   19,961 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 12% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Charles Dickens (novel)
Mitch Glazer (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Great Expectations on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 January 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Let desire be your destiny.
Plot:
Modernization of Charles Dickens classic story finds the hapless Finn as a painter in New York pursuing his unrequited and haughty childhood love. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
Michael Fassbender Goes From One Bronte To the Next
 (From Cinematical. 20 November 2009, 12:48 PM, PST)

Review: Modern Family - Great Expectations
 (From AOL - TVSquad. 19 November 2009, 8:31 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A modernization of the classic tale done in great style! more (179 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ethan Hawke ... Finnegan Bell

Gwyneth Paltrow ... Estella

Hank Azaria ... Walter Plane

Chris Cooper ... Joe

Anne Bancroft ... Ms. Dinsmoor

Robert De Niro ... Prisoner / Lustig
Josh Mostel ... Jerry Ragno

Kim Dickens ... Maggie
Nell Campbell ... Erica Thrall

Gabriel Mann ... Owen (as Gabriel Mick)
Jeremy James Kissner ... Finnegan at Age 10
Raquel Beaudene ... Estella at Age 10
Stephen Spinella ... Carter Macleish

Marla Sucharetza ... Ruth Shepard
Isabelle Anderson ... Lois Pope
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language and some sexuality.
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In addition to co-writing, performing and producing the song "Siren" especially for this film, Tori Amos provided the vocalizations (wistling, breaths, etc.) that can be heard in the film's score. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Finn is yelling up at Estella's apartment after his show, his bottle of wine switches hands from the left to the right and then back to the left. more
Quotes:
Finn: It's my heart, and its broken. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Sunshower more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
34 out of 41 people found the following comment useful.
A modernization of the classic tale done in great style!, 10 August 2004
8/10
Author: Gillian Wixley from South Africa

It is always going to be a challenge to take a classic novel and turn it into be a movie that will satisfy everyone, especially when the story is being changed and adapted to fit a modern setting. If what you want to find from this movie is an exact translation of the book you will be unimpressed.

I personally loved this movie, it is completely stylish thanks to a brilliant soundtrack and the gorgeous leads Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow (who is cast perfectly as the beautiful ice queen). They are helped along by a strong supporting cast of Anne Bancroft (wonderfully eccentric as Ms. Nora Dinsmoor), Chris Cooper and Robert DiNero.

The problem, however, is that in trying to fit a story as long and complicated as ‘Great expectations' into a 90 minute movie you loose a lot of the development of the characters necessary to identify and have an emotional reaction to them.

Rather than linger on these issues Alfonso Cuaron concentrated on the visual aspect of the movie and the result is a movie that is great to watch!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (179 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Great Expectations (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
no need for long review .. just what do you think of this movie? kshawish
Green theme dianapurkiss
song on ending credit? nivlem88
Ethan Hawk terrible in this wilski1
Song Question...? gay_geisha
Where can I find this film online? deppandburtonfan
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