The man from here, here and here
I am in love with the english language. The way the words tumble and fumble, how they dance on the tips of tongues, sharing tales, feelings, wit and insults. The english language offers such a great variety and choices of phrasing sentences in the way God had intended. Be it long-winded and poetic to a fault, or short, concise and to-the-point, the music the English language plays on the tongues of men is inspiring and it has been a while since this poor soul has witnessed such a triumph of beauty of its song.
The reason why I am in thrall of English and speaking in this absurd, abnormal way, is the fault of the theatric portrayal of Charles Dickens' "Nicholas Nickleby". It is a book by the famous and dead, genius of a writer, Charles Dickens of "A Christmas Carol", "Great Expectations", "Oliver Twist" fame and many more.
This current film that is now showing in Singapore is an adaptation of the book, "Nicholas Nickleby", hence the name. It is a tale of how people conquer over tragedy and gain happiness by doing good. It is essential a lesson on how good triumphs over evil. It stresses on being a gentleman at all times, doing good, and protecting loved ones. Though it seems like a public announcent message from the government, let me assure you that there is a dark side to the film, just as in each of Dickens' books.
The acting is solid and strong. With the supporting cast displaying great versatility in the characters they play. The characters appeal strongly too. A highland Romeo, a crippled boy, cold-hearted speculator and more add such flavour to the story, providing the setting for an adventure. Sad to say, the main character, Charlie Hunnam, is not such a favourable main actor in my opinion. Yes, he is a good looking blonde with dashing blue eyes. No, he cannot act for his dear life. The way he mutilates Dickens' masterpieces with every word from his mouth, it simply brings down the movie star by star.
Happily, that is the only bad part, other than the common woe of films to not put in every aspect of the book, giving the show a chopped up, half-finished look. But that aside too, the show tantillizes the audiences' desire to spout poetry and lines of worth and meanings. It appeals to the gentlemen side of every, well, gentleman and finally offers a light-hearted look at good's triumph over evil, which I find has been rather dark, omninous and depressing of late. (LOTR comes to mind) That's what it did for me and I thank Mr Dickens for it. 4 stars I offer to this grand and brilliant performance.
Til then, I bid you adieu.
And I bought a digicam too.
'Lie on!' cried the usurer, 'with your iron tongue! Ring merrily
for births that make expectants writhe, and marriages that are made
in hell, and toll ruefully for the dead whose shoes are worn
already! Call men to prayers who are godly because not found out,
and ring chimes for the coming in of every year that brings this
cursed world nearer to its end. No bell or book for me! Throw me
on a dunghill, and let me rot there, to infect the air!'
