Rating: 
Summary: All the right parts do not make up a whole...
Review: "Nicholas Nickleby" is made up of all the right parts which ultimately do not connect with themselves: a classic story, a cast of colorful lead and supporting characters, attractive and talented actors, an atmospheric setting in Dickensian England. It is, however, a second class effort that strains under its own literal mindedness and need to please a bloated holiday audience.Charlie Hunnam, a WB pinup face if ever there were one, leads the cast as the titular hero, an oprhaned country boy sent to London for help from his late father's brother, a nefarious rogue played by Christopher Plummer. The uncle sends Nicholas off to a Yorkshire boys' school, run by an equally nefarious pair played by Jim Broadbent and Juliet Stevenson. Here Nicholas befriends Smike, the novel's equivalent of Tiny Tim, played by an overly emotive Jamie Bell (much better in "Billy Elliott"). The two join forces to steal away from the school, and soon meet up with a traveling theater troupe lead by Nathan Lane and Barry "Dame Edna" Humphries. After a distress call is sent from London, where Nicholas's sister is being mistreated, Nic and Smike take off to save the day. The story is standard Dickens and is fairly predictable as a result. The screenplay seems oblivious to this and resorts to overexplaining obvious points, and over sentimentalizing the plight of the heros. Although the cast is made up of some of the best British actors working today, many of them overdo it, particularly Broadbent and Stevensen, with theatrics that seem designed to ellicit hisses from the audience. Hunnam is uncompelling as the lead, poorly matched with the equally wooden Anne Hathaway (last seen by me in "The Princess Diaries," but wearing a hairstyle that makes her look like she's auditioning for the role of Princess Leia in the next Star Wars installment.)Plummer is the only one to emerge with his dignity intact, making the movie's villain the only character I ended up caring about. The movie wasn't worth my time, and it isn't worth your money.
Rating: 
Summary: An Amazingly Good Period Film.
Review: Upfront, I have never read the Charles Dickens novel, but something made me pick this film adaptation of the story up and buy it. If you're a fan of period films based on mostly classic novels, you should definitely enjoy this movie. This is the story of a young man with great integrity who, after his father's death, has to struggle to keep his family together despite his corrupt uncle's intentions to keep him, his mother and sister apart. First he's got to take employment at a boys' school where the cruel headmaster and his wife abuse the boys constantly, but are particularly cruel to a cripple named Smike. Nicholas befriends Smike and learns to make him an extended part of his family, joins a theater group full of delightfully colorful and humorous people, and he falls in love with a girl who comes from a bad family situation.
One can easily see the moral of the story Dickens had penned portrayed here: Nicholas Nickleby is an admirable and noble character who, despite all the dark and evil people he and his family are surrounded by, perseveres with his integrity fully intact, and accepts people from low society with hearts into his life rather than dwell on the snobbishness he could have leaned toward given his priviledged upbringing before his father died.
Charlie Hunnam delivers a very powerful performance as Nicholas, and you find yourself rooting for him from the very beginning. Jamie Bell, as poor sweet Smike will likely evoke sympathy, hope, and tears, as I ended up crying myself. Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent, and Juliet Stevens are all effectively evil, and Anne Hathaway really surprised me since I didn't think she could carry a role like that of Madeline Bray. I absolutely loved Nathan Lane as the theater owner Vincent Crummles, but Alan Cumming as Mr. Folair made me laugh. This adaptation is not only dark and alternately funny in all the right places, but the photography is clever and beautifully shot, the musical score accommodatingly atmospheric. The stage sets really depict the cruelty of the not so romantic after all Victorian Londontown, and equally capture the beauty and serenity of the English countryside. This movie is absolutely wonderful in every aspect; gorgeous to look at, excellent acting and direction, wonderful screenplay, and emotionally involving. The DVD extras are really informative and entertaining as well. Don't pass this one by; add it to your collection today.
Rating:
Summary: i was surprized
Review: that this was a great movie! During the first part I didnt know if I could continue watching or not because of the abuse that was going on, i just cant imagine... but then it took a turn for the better. As soon as nicholas stood up for a boy being abused I was hooked. The rest of the movie followed suit. He was a man of honor and goodness. He wasnt afraid to stand up for whats right even though he had his share and more of evil people and peril. I felt it was a tad rushed tho. They could have spent more time with the actors they ran into and also getting to know the girl he came to love. seemed it happened awful fast before they even knew eachother. I also havent read the book so i cant compare, but i still think it was a wonderful movie.
Rating:
Summary: Good Against Evil!
Review: In this wonderful tale we meet Nicholas who becomes the head of his household after his father's untimely death. Taken back with no money they go to their Uncle Ralph, a wealthy man, for help. Unfortunately he is a terrible greedy person who is only interested in his own gains in life. We travel with this family as Uncle places each one of them in terrible situations under the guise of helping them.
Nicholas is placed as a school teacher in a terrible establishment run by the Squeers. A horrible, cruel couple that treat the young boys there worse than animals. It is here that Nicholas befriends Smike, a crippled boy whose heart is of gold.
Escaping they travel back and are reunited with Nicholas mother and sister. As fate steps in Nicholas is able to bring his family together and they learn the true evil that their Uncle was doing to them.
This is a wonderful tale, one of good versus evil. A film that shows the blackness in some men's hearts and the purity in others. Although there is some sadness the ending warms your heart as good triumpts through Nicholas crushing the evil chains and lies that thrived for so long.The ending was shocking; I would have never guessed it. Outstanding surprise.
I truly enjoyed this movie, the message of goodness winning over evil was rung loud and clear. I recommend it to all.
Rating: 
Summary: "I Want More" Is the Only Complaint. Great Ensemble Cast
Review: The newly filmed 'Nicholas Nickelby' has one defect -- it is too short. But the original book contains more than 800 pages in paperback, so what can you do? If you are a purist (and I'm not blaming you for that), and if you want the 'complete' film adaptaion of this huge novel of Dickens, see Royal Shakespear's stage producition (which runs more than 8 hours).
Even though you spent only 120 minutes of your life, this 'Nicholas' has one great part in it -- its cating. Charlie Hunnam as Nicholas, Romola Galai as Kate, Anne Hatherway as Madeline, Christopher Plummer as Ralph, Tom Courtenay as Newman Noggs, Jim Broadbent and Juliet Stevenson as Mr.and Mrs. Squeers, Jamie Bell as Smike, and Nethan Lane as Vincent Crummles. You also see Alan Cumming and Timothy Spall, so what do you want for more?
The story is shortened to speed up the whole story, and you don't see some of the most interesting characters in the original novel (no annoying neighbour to Mrs Nickleby or Mr. Mantalini and his 'Dammit'). But the film wisely retains most of the impressive episodes, and the director Douglas McGrath makes it a point that 'Nicholas Nickleby' is a comedy (and it was nonimated for best comedy in Golden Globe Award). His decision is right, for it is a comedy. Even though the poor kids at Mr. Squeers' Dotheboys School are treated so badly with treacle, it still is a comedy, and Dickens wrote that way.
Though Charlie Hunnam and Anne Hathaway are not bad -- actually they are talented actors -- these two characters are too weak to interest the viewers. This is simply because Nicholas and Madeline are weaker creations in Dickens's original.
But the good supports offer precious help, especially from perfectly cast Nathan Lane and Jamie Bell. Jamie Bell's Smike is better than the original (which is drawn, I think, with patronizing tone) and Christopher Plummer's Ralph is also an admirable interpretaion in a sense that after doing so many wicked things, he can be a sympathetic character.
No one can translate Dickens's gigantic story into 2 or 3 hours without cutting. What matters is how to cut, and I for one think this film did it pretty well. And it's good to see Dickens on big screen, for these days, many adaptaions, good as they are, are made for TV. And also good to see this great ensemble cast.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid movie
Review: Besides all the eye candy involving attractive actors and breathtaking landscape, this movie is well acted with highly lovable and easily despised characters. Every actor really outdid themselves. In the final scene during the wedding toast, there is a quote I would like to see widely distributed. I love movies that take you through a wide range of emotions and that draw you into the character's experiences. This movie exceeded all my expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: A pure delight
Review: I was simply enchanted with this movie. It's unlike Merchant Ivory's production, a tad on the heavy sight. Rather, this simple story is told simply with stellar casts from both the States and UK. I'm delighted to say that all stars mastered their accents well & the performances were effortless & captivating to watch. A story about a young man who's forced by circumstances to grow up quickly to fend for his family. Amid those hardships, Nicholas Nickleby refused to undermine his moral codes & rather than thinking of his own good, he's thinking about the common good and happiness of all people. In the end, he's rewarded handsomely by people who's gratified for his integrity by showering him with their loyalty and love. A movie of all times and a movie that shall be shared with family and friends. Whilst the setting and time might be years ago, decent values are still relevant in this contemporary time. Highly recommended. Not much offering in the DVD but it is suffice for a story well told.
Rating:
Summary: Quite good adaptation
Review: A lot of people have written that they prefer the version with James D'Arcy. While I think James D'Arcy makes a better Nicholas and Anne Hathaway sort of overdid her role, I very much prefer the actors/actresses and screenplay of this adaptation. Christopher Plummer is brilliant as the conniving, sinister uncle. Jamie Bell makes a more pathetic, but likable Smike. Nathan Lane is perfect as Mr. Crummles and Timothy Spall and Gerald Horan are delightful as the Cheeryble brothers. I also prefer John Browdie (Kevin McKidd) in this version...
Yes, this version is shorter, but it seems to flow better. One is more drawn in by the characters and their situations and one either DEEPLY likes or dislikes them, depending on the character. The relationships seem more real, than rehearsed. While I find some added scenes in the other version enjoyable, they aren't necessarily needed or helpful to the plot, sometimes the contrary. It even leaves out at least one important or helpful part - how it was before Nicholas' father had died. I suggest watching both (perhaps as rentals first) and making your choice. As for me, I truly prefer this version best.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding screen adaptation
Review: Screenplay adaptations are just that-adaptations! Some are perfectly awful.That is not the case here.After successfully adapting Jane Austen's EMMA, Doug McGrath,once again, shows why he is such a leader at capturing the essence of a labourious novel and distilling it for viewing in the cinema.Again, McGrath signs on the talents of Rachel Portman as his soundtrack composer to capture the varying moods of this most delightful Dickens classic.WHAT A CAST,TOO!!!-Tony award and Academy award actors,theatre and cinema sensibities,comedians and dramatic thespians,veteran personalities and fresh young faces meet together in this positively charming,expertly directed NICKLEBY.You will watch this again and again and again.THE DVD COMMENTARIES ARE EXCEPTIONAL!
Rating:
Summary: Endearing and heartfelt adaption for all ages!
Review: I bought this DVD hoping maybe this adaption could be a nice departure from the cinematic crap(aka Scooby Doo movies and others that center around fart jokes) my kids(8 and 5) usually crave. They were leery with the "old looking" dress of the characters on the cover, but were hooked and engaged from minute one of the story. It begins by asking the viewer about what would you do if you weren't under the protection of your parents basically-that totally hooked my kids. Next came some of very scary adventures at the nasty boys school which totally horrified my children, the deep friendship between Smike and Nicholas that ended up making my 8 year old cry towards the end, and a satisfying ending that made them understand that even when the world is a cruel and heartless place, you can still make your way with dignity and charity, and form relationships and "families" with the good people who inevitably meet up with you along the way. My children were genuinely touched-we actually did some research on the fact that many NOrthern England schools were ghastly in their treatment of the children in the care, and that Squeers was actually modeled after a real man! This movie was a great starting point for my children to think about life in a philosophical context, and to wonder about life for others in different places and times. And heck, it made them a little more aware that they have it pretty good and that whining about not having the newest game system seems pretty lame in comparison to the true trials other children endured before them and even sadly, presently in many areas of the world today. Beautiful and heartfelt adaption that is choice for children who can handle some of the more abusive parts of the story....
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