Great Expectations Review

Over Christmas, I watched the 2012 adaptation of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens starring Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Jeremy Irvine and Holliday Granger amongst other British actors. The film was Directed by Mike Newell. 

I really love period drama adaptations and I especially loved and enjoyed this film alot, I found the darkness of the plot and unusualness of the characters different and intriguing; separating it from other typical period dramas and standing out particularly for me. Apart from the film and story as a whole, I also particularly enjoyed the Makeup, Hair and Costume Designs created by Zoe Brown, Sally Davidson and Beatrix Aruna Pasztor amongst others. I feel that the Characters appearance and overall sense gave the film an extra authentic quality to it. 

Each character was styled in a way that suited and reflected their personality, For Instance; Miss Havisham is a bitter, old, hateful woman who got jilted on her wedding day and as a result takes out her revenge on other men. She is styled in a wedding dress and veil that is very ragged and grey. Her hair is very messy; still styled the same as her wedding day; she has never taken it out, so it is very frizzy, and her makeup is done to make her face appear pale, older and more withered. 

Estella is Miss Havisham's adopted daughter/ Apprentice in a way, she is used to break the hearts of men. So her appearance is supposed to be of natural beauty and sophistication. She wears beautiful, expensive gowns that are worn to attract men. Her Makeup is simple to portray typical english rose appearance. Her hair is styled  in Beautiful up- do's, throughout most of the film, each time a different design incorporating curls, waves, buns, plaits, and Hair pieces and accessories.

Pip is the main character, and is the target of miss Havisham and Estellas revenge plot. He is born into a poor family and then gets the opportunity to become a gentleman. His Style regarding his hair and makeup and clothes, becomes alot smarter sophisticated and more clean- cut.

My favourite of the 3 main charcaters and their character developements would have to be Estella, I feel that she represents and incorporates the Victorian 'English Rose' extremely well. The Hairstyles and the Costumes engaged me and I found them extremely beautiful, and i cant wait to be able to recreate some of her hairstyles. 

 http://becuo.com/great-expectations-2012-movie

 http://www.nouse.co.uk/2012/12/04/review-great-expectations/

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