Location: New Jersey
"David Copperfield: I Am Dead"
Screenplay by Kenneth Lonergan
Directed by Ang Lee
Main Cast
Uriah Heep- Steve Buscemi
David Copperfield, the younger-
David Copperfield, the older-Matthew Goode
Mr. Murdstone-Daniel Day Lewis
Jane Murdstone-Helena Bonham Carter
Aunt Betsy Trotwood-Julie Christie
Clara Copperfield (David's Mother)- Samantha Morton
Peggoty-Imelda Staunton
Steerforth-Jude Law
Tommy Tradles-Rupert Everett
Agnes Wickfield-Kate Winslet
Mr. Wickfield-Michael Caine
Older Emily-Emily Mortimer
Dora Spenlow-Rachel Weisz
Mr. Peggoty-Alfred Molina
Ham-Sean Bean
Mr. Micawber-Jim Broadbent
Mrs. Micawber-Helen Mirren
Tagline: "We gain life, we lose life, but memories are forever!"
Synopsis: Charles Dickens beloved classic, "David Copperfield," is revived on the big screen in frightening fashion as a tale of horror and intrigue. The film begins with a bright-eyed David opening his eyes in his own grave, declaring, "I am dead!" Whereas the novel is chronological, and starts with a chapter titled, "I am born," this film tells a non-linear story deeply reliant on memory.
Charles Dickens was obsessed with memories and their power. He questioned whether we should trust them and to what extent. This film ponders that very question. It is narrated by David from his grave, and it's broken up into three chapters. The first half up to the climax focus on David's adult life from his marriage to Agnes, and previous marriage to Dora before her death, to his old age. The second chapter of the film focuses on David's education and his friendships with Steerforth, Tommy Tradles, Emily and his life as the nephew of Betsy Trotwood, and before that, his conflicts with the Murdstones upon his mother's death. The last part of the film is that which is most heartfelt, his early relationships with his mother and Peggoty. The penultimate scene features David's birth, while the last scene takes him back into his mother's womb. Therefore, the end of David's story is narrated by Clara (his mother) who possesses David in her womb, and who is the vessel that allows David to feel anything at all. In a way, David is his mother and she is him, and the feelings he recalls in her womb mark the end of his story.
Relying on the argument that the older you are the more access to information you have and thus the more you know the film demonstrates how little David feels and understands as a child compared with his later years. Who David loves is also an important theme in the film, as David's memories do not allow him to value one moment or romance more than another. The deeper into the story we get, the more difficult it is to discern who is a villain and who is a hero. David's blurry perception of his life is the main source of our knowledge of the story. Like George Cukor's 1935 Best Picture nominated film version, this film boasts with a predominately British cast that encompasses some of Hollywood's most familiar British actors including Jim Broadbent reprising the role of Mr. Micawber which earned raves for vaudeville performer W.C., Fields in the 30's.
What the Press would say:
"A haunting performance by Daniel Day Lewis as the ruthless Mr. Murstone!" Richard Roeper
Awards Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director, Ang Lee
Best Screenplay, Kenneth Lonergan
Best Editing
Best Ensemble Acting
Most Creative Plot/Synopsis
Best Actor: Matthew Goode
Best Supporting Actresses: Julie Christie, Emily Mortimer, Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz, Helen Mirren, Imedla Staunton, Helena Bonham Carter and Samantha Morton
Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Day Lewis, Jim Broadbent, Jude Law, Sean Bean, Steve Buscemi, Michael Caine, Rupert Everett
Best Set Design
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
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