Hollywood and the movie industry have made many bold moves over the past decade in bringing to life old classics. None however have been done more boldly than the remoulding of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and Charles Dicken's Great Expectations. Both are daring attempts to rebirth a storyline from the distant past, as a tale told in our modern times. I say attempt because in both cases, as good a job the cast and crew did, there was something lacking in these new renditions. Great Expectations, the movie, lacks many qualities that make the novel a success. It cannot be said to be a total loss, the basic elements are intact, it is only the embellishments Charles Dickens developed in the novel to make the story more realistic that are missing.

One success, I must admit that I observed while watching the film was the rich visual setting. Although not taking presented in the same place, or era Great Expectations, the movie, is a feast for the eyes. It captivates the mind with beautiful shots of the rural Florida coast life, and yet still retains the jumbled, rundown atmosphere that is described of Pip's small birthplace in a small English town. These qualities of squalor are evident in the impoverished coastal fishing village of the movie. The best achievement in cinematography, is the in-depth views of Pardiso Perduto, a sister mansion to the decaying Satis house of the novel. Even the scenes of New York, the city of "expectations" for our youthful protagonist, Finn, has contrasting aspects of rich beauty and unsightly slums that the London of the nineteen century demonstrated. This is the most major achievement for the film; to capture on film a most ingenious modern equivalent of Charles Dicken's astute descriptions.

Unlike some attempts to revamp literary successes the movie at least retains some of the dignity of Dicken's work. The core of his novel is intact within the screenplay. Also many ingenious ideas were used in some plot changes, and cinematography. Overall it is not a bad representation of the novel.

I went into Great Expectations with high hopes. The story has always been one of my favorites and I couldn't wait too see what they had done with it. The film is beautiful. It is very rich in color and scope. The cinematography was outstanding and the direction was solid. The acting was brillant all around. Robert De Niro is in the movie only briefly, but brings respect to a role that could be just a flash in the pan for anyone else. Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow are great and Chris Cooper turns in a very subtle but powerful performance as Finn's guardian. The film left me feeling good, what more could you ask for in a movie?

On the Florida coast, Finn Bell encounters escaped convict Arthur Lustig (Robert De Niro) who threatens him and he is forced to bring back supplies. Lustig is later recaptured and set to be executed. Finn lives with his sister Maggie and uncle Joe Coleman (Chris Cooper). Uncle Joe is looking for work from wealthy Mrs. Nora Dinsmoor (Anne Bancroft) who has been a recluse since her fiancé left her at the alter. Dinsmoor asks for Finn to come and play with her niece Estella. He gets paid to visit every Saturday. As a young man (Ethan Hawke), Estella (Gwyneth Paltrow) leaves to study abroad. Maggie has left Joe and Finn. Finn is fishing with uncle Joe and then a lawyer comes with an offer to show his art work in NYC. Finn wonders what other plans Dinsmoor has for him and then he runs into Estella in New York. Walter Plane (Hank Azaria) is her boyfriend.

Trying to modernize Great Expectations comes with many hurdles. Director Alfonso Cuarón fills this with a certain style but he's restricted by the story. I feel he was successful with 'A Little Princess' but this one has more difficulties. Dinsmoor has the manipulativeness but she doesn't have the madness in this version. Ethan Hawke's blond hair is distracting. He may not be a good fit for the role. Maybe it's all in the hair. On the other hand, Gwyneth is perfect for the role. This version is filled with an airiness which is different from the novel. The romance kinda works but the novel throws a giant shadow on the proceedings.