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'Great Expectations' Review: Olivia Colman-starrer Hulu series fails Charles Dickens' classic tale

The limited series premieres with a pair of 2 episodes that swiftly directs the viewers through Pip’s early years

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In today's date everyone is up and about for making a remake of classic tales or movies. However, Hulu has a new period drama piece added to its variable catalog and let's just say many avid readers had 'Great Expectations' for it. After 2019's 'Christmas Carol' Steven Knight has come out with a new perspective on Charles Dicken's classic tale 'Great Expectation'. It’s 162 years old, but Charles Dickens’ masterpiece 'Great Expectations' “has never been more relevant,” according to 'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight.

Apart from the main character played by Fionn Whitehead and Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham, the period drama also stars Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella, Miss Havisham's adopted daughter who seriously thinks that emotions put people at a disadvantage; Ashley Thomas as Jaggers, a powerful figure who becomes Pip's guide to London's upper class; Johnny Harris as Magwitch, an escaped convict; Hayley Squires as Sara, Pip's stern sister; Owen McDonnell as Joe, the village blacksmith. Now, let's get down to the more interesting part.

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Steven Knight fails to elaborate Dickens' grimy alleyways

Knight and co-director Samira Radsi certainly give the production an edge, from brutal fight scenes to four-letter words. The story, however, grinds along sluggishly, and while a six-hour format provides the creative team the ability to give Dickens’ weighty book its due, the detours down grimy alleyways tend to work against the project more than for it. Furthermore, that being said Knight’s fascination with Dickens again establishes that such revisions don’t always enhance familiar material.

Olivia Colman steals the show as Miss Havisham

The single star which we have awarded FX’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 'Great Expectations' belongs to only one person: Olivia Colman, who is seen as reliably excellent as Miss Havisham. Most of the cast provide interesting performances, and each of their takes on their characters belongs to a different genre and different social stature. However, Colman’s take on Havisham is riveting, suffusing each word not with moping and sorrow but with contaminated rage and a hellbent desire for vengeance on any man she can find. Charles Dickens wasn’t exactly known for writing lighthearted stories, and Knight's 'Great Expectations' is far from his best work. 

You can watch 'Great Expectations' on Hulu.