Rating: 
Summary: Dickens dominated by bad sound
Review: I love Dickens and have read most of his works, including "The Mudfog Papers (which are really gems). I have also seen most of the movie productions of his work over the past 50 years.This production, though beautifully cast and photographed, is saddled (and ridden into the ground) by the two worst attributes or American and English productions. With any period production, you want to be drawn into the story and feel as though you're participating along with the characters. This particular production drives you away. First: with the typical musical "stings", which are the bane of most American dramas -- and telegraph how your emotions should react to a particular scene. In this production, you feel assaulted by them. Secondly: The English sound problem. Why is it that they cannot get the sound levels right on their productions? The voice levels are always low, and you must strain to listen -- even if you have normal hearing. This is compounded by the loud musical "stings" which always conflict with the voices -- and in this particular production -- it completely overpowers the dialogue. Whoever was in charge of the sound mixing/editing should be hung by the ears. It spoiled what could have been a beautiful viewing experience. Tired of being assaulted by overly loud musical "stings" and inaudible dialogue, my wife and I stopped viewing this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly enjoyable
Review: A funny, fast paced comedy/drama set in Dickens' vision of a miserable England, full of rich characters. Christopher Plummer, Juliet Stevenson and Jim Broadbent stood out in particular, but I found all the characters to be well acted. A particular surprise for me was "Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everidge as Mrs Crimmles", which I found to be a really inventive piece of casting.
Highly enjoyable...
Rating: 
Summary: Well-done!
Review: Having seen both the Channel 4 version and this one, I must say this is the better. The British Channel 4 produced a longer (by one hour) rendition of the novel a year or two before this one, but that version suffers from several weaknesses: Nicholas looks too weak, the whole atmosphere is too dark and gloomy, Kate looks bitchy, Smike seems a tad too old, the set is unattractively realistic, etc. This American production has none of these faults. In fact, the biggest problem with the British version is that it is way too heavy on the dark side, when Dickens's book is intended to be balanced between tragedy and comedy. This movie strikes this balance very well without losing the pathos. The quality of the DVD is also good. For time's sake the director omits the Mantalinis altogether (the British version has that all right), perhaps thinking that this is marginal to the main story itself. It would have been great if the film had dealt with the question of why exactly Ralph Nickleby never gave a moment's thought that Smike might have been his own son. This is not explicitly answered in the book either, even though the reason may seem obvious to some.
Rating:
Summary: A great heart felt movie!!!! Best in years
Review: I am a true Dickens fan and always will be, however I normally disike books that are made into movies.I was totally shocked to find what a great movie this was and I would recommand this to anyone who likes English movies or Dickens. I loved Jaime Bell as Smike he really stole the lead from Charles Hunnam. Every scene he was in was the soo good. I felt like reaching out to put my arms around the poor boy and comfort him. I almost never cry in a movie but I did with this one. Christoper Plummer was wonderful in this movie too, he played the evil uncle very well. It wasn't over done but no where near too soft,it's interesting how just at the end you feel a little sorry for him because of the horrible life he's lead. I loved Nicholas's sister she was the very perfect picture of the woman Dickens loved and respected, her sweet face and diginty were beautiful. I also loved the acting of the Squeers even though their were sooo evil,they played their parts so well. When Nicholas was beating Mr.Squeers my 21 year old brother was like "yeah go go go". I was so afraid he was just going to stand here doing nothing to save Smike. Thankfully I was wrong. Anne Hathaway was good but only good because her acent was almost none exist sometimes. I loved all of Noggs lines and his hand rubbing was right in line with the book. Alan Cummings was great with his Highland Fling as was Nathan Lane. I will watch this movie many times amd always love it. If you like or love Dickens, English or just plain good acting this movie is one of the best. Right up there with the Winslow Boy.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Wait Another Minute to See This Movie
Review: Some will tell you that this version is too rushed or that the characterizations are not given enough time to develop or seem forced. I say this is one of the most perfect adaptations of a Dicken's novel. The essential story elements are there and are fully fleshed out to give you the story without wasting your time. The cast has been perfectly selected from the strongly emoting Charly Hunnam to the brief and spirited performances of Alan Cummings and Barry Humphreys. This movie will transport you back to the time of Dickens and will do it delightfully. You will be glad you bought it for yourself, you will share it with your friends and best of all... you will be warmed in heart on a cold afternoon when you sit down and watch it over a cup of tea. Enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Triumph
Review: Everyone needs a lift every now and then: something to remind them that there is still some goodness, purity, and nobility in this fallen world. Last night I got just that, and I received it in the form of Nicholas Nickleby. That gift came wrapped in splendid acting, a brilliant cast, glowing lines, and an unparalleled plot. I cannot lavish any more honors on Nicholas Nickleby than my fellow reviewers have not already lauded, so I will simply say this: it is a triumph. This summer a lecturer asked his audience, "Is it ever wrong for [someone] to NOT watch a movie?" He recounted going to watch The Winslow Boy (another film of this genre, and just as brilliant) and found himself and his wife two of perhaps five people in the entire theater. Meanwhile, other theatergoers flocked to the shallow glitz of The Matrix. He realized he was watching one of the finest films of the late 20th century fall by the wayside. The same happened to Nicholas Nickleby. I regret to inform you that I only learned of it this summer. It should not be so. Well-informed, high-moraled movie watchers must realize that they vote with their dollars. If we want to see Hollywood turn out anything good, we've got to show our taste for it when we see it. We've missed our best chance with Nicholas Nickleby, but don't let that continue. If you are looking for a wholesome home/family/couple/group/teen/everybody movie, you will hit home with Nicholas Nickleby.
Rating:
Summary: Hey!
Review: Who cares about the rest of the movie, though the movie is very good. Charlie Hunnam is shageable, and so is Christopher Plummer, who is delightfully evil and base but I wouldn't throw him out of bed for eating crackers, doncha know?
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly good!
Review: Being an English lit major, I don't know how I missed this movie in the theaters, but thankfully just saw the DVD -- again, and again, and again. I rarely recommend a film to my parents in no uncertain terms, but this DVD got my recommendation to them twice in the same day. This story is amazing, and the film adaptation superb. I won't bother going into the detail on the plot, since others have already done a remarkable job of that. I have an antique version of this book, which is so lengthy, it spills into a second volume.....800 pages worth! This is one long book. Anytime you adapt a novel for film, a different medium, a more concise version for the film is needed, to prevent filmgoers from a 10-hour running time. The triumph of this film is that the spirit of the book and the author Dickens are kept even while some scenes and characters must be edited out of the film. A bit of narrative at the beginning and end of the film are beautifully done and tie it up with a figurative ribbon. The central theme in the film, while by no means the only one, is the friendship between Nicholas and Smike. How a character who has known true familial love is able to transmit that love to one who has only known despair, is probably the most heartwarming aspect of this film. The entire film is extremely well cast. I must correct what I believe is an unfortunate slight some reviewers have given to Charlie Hunnam and Anne Hathaway. I don't know what these reviewers were looking for in these two roles. I think Charlie has given an admirable and powerful performance in the lead role: a fatherless, 19-year old who grows up to be a man. He learns to step up for himself, defend the defenseless Smike and his sister's honor, and cause Ralph Nickleby to accept responsibility for his actions. Anne Hathaway is radiant and expressive in her role, which to be honest, does not get much ink in Dickens' novel. There are so many excellent individual contributions in this film: cinematography, set design (notice how the decisions regarding color scheme help develop the tone), costumes, music by Rachel Portman. The "making of" feature and the running commentary by Douglas McGrath on the DVD give some very valuable insight into the story, character development, and the editorial/directorial decisions he made on the film. I also loved the on-film commentary by Nathan Lane's character at the movie's conclusion, which contains some terse nuggets about life. A superb film! I rarely purchase DVDs, however this is one I will watch for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: A treat
Review: The filmmakers do a great job turning the sprawling, obscure Dickens novel into a taut, compelling film. While it is not perfect, NICKLEBY contains some delightful Dickensian character-work, especially by Nathan Lane, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson and Christopher Plummer (a deliciously arch arch-villain). The greatest work here is the work of adapter/director Douglas McGrath in tandem with Dickens. McGrath stays true to the story without being a slave to it, letting the actors bring the characters to vibrant life, creating a world of good good and evil evil without it ever becoming a cartoon. A fun movie, and one that is entertaining for all ages -- a true rarity in the now demographically-segmented world of film.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Actors, Stereotypical Plot.....
Review: I haven't read the book. But I loved the LOOK of this movie, and the costuming was excellent. Charlie Hunnam, plays the good-looking Nicholas Nickleby an 'everyman' (in the vein of Horatio Hornblower) who, after his father's untimely death must look after his mother, sister, and a crippled boy. While I enjoyed Nicholas Nickleby, I found the characterization really exaggerated. The "I'm so eeevill...." Child-beating schoolmaster, the miserly uncle, and the fairy-tale happy ending, well, were just was too predictable. The villain's endless cruelty seemed motivationless and spiteful. Overall, about half way through I was quite bored. While no doubt, Dickens was the first to write these sort of rags-to-riches story, I just couldn't muster the interest to finish it. Rating: C, with some great costuming, and wonderful settings. Poor plot & screenplay, cost this a star.
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