The Personal History of David Copperfield
A buoyant, vividly cast Dickens adaptation follows David Copperfield from troubled childhood toward self-invention as a writer amid the comic chaos of Victorian England.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- whimsical
- literary adaptation night
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the adaptation as a fresh, funny, charming, and emotionally humane reinvention of Dickens's classic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell reshape Dickens's semi-autobiographical novel with comic timing, lively narration, and an intentionally fresh performance style.
Dev Patel leads a predominantly British period adaptation as David Copperfield, while the ensemble presents Dickens's society through a notably inclusive casting approach.
David moves through childhood hardship, family upheaval, work, friendship, and literary ambition among vividly exaggerated figures such as Micawber, Betsey Trotwood, Uriah Heep, and Mr. Dick.
The film emphasizes color, costume, expressive production design, and buoyant staging even when David's early life is unhappy and precarious.
Films like The Personal History of David Copperfield, and why
Little Women
Whimsical, humane, visually lively literary adaptation with comic period characters and emotional coming-of-age themes
Emma.
Playful, colorful Dickensian period comedy-drama centered on eccentric characters, social observation, and personal identity
The Great
Warm, theatrical nineteenth-century literary adaptation balancing satire, hardship, and an ensemble of vivid personalities
The Death of Stalin
Energetic, eccentric comedy-drama from a comedy filmmaker, combining social satire with broad ensemble performances
Movie Details
- Director
- Armando Iannucci
- Release Date
- 2019-11-07
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (555)
Cast
- Dev Patel
- Peter Capaldi
- Ben Whishaw
- Tilda Swinton
- Gwendoline Christie
- Hugh Laurie
- Anthony Welsh
- Aneurin Barnard
- Divian Ladwa
- Rosalind Eleazar
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Personal History of David Copperfield about?
- A buoyant, vividly cast Dickens adaptation follows David Copperfield from troubled childhood toward self-invention as a writer amid the comic chaos of Victorian England.
- What is The Personal History of David Copperfield like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Personal History of David Copperfield as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Personal History of David Copperfield violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Personal History of David Copperfield.
- What did critics think of The Personal History of David Copperfield?
- Critics broadly praised the adaptation as a fresh, funny, charming, and emotionally humane reinvention of Dickens's classic.
- Which films are like The Personal History of David Copperfield?
- Films with a similar feel include Little Women, Emma., The Great, and The Death of Stalin.
- How long is The Personal History of David Copperfield?
- The Personal History of David Copperfield runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Personal History of David Copperfield?
- In United States, The Personal History of David Copperfield streams on fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow.
