roadjunkies Outstanding work, Mr. Fiennes! Everyone loves to happen upon a film and be delightfully surprised to find it's a treasure! Your work is a startlingly underrated film directed by a gifted hand. with no weak links. All elements of the film are strong: Acting, directing, editing, script, costume, lighting and set design harmonize to do justice to the subject matter. Creative license was with a light touch; casting was spot-on. A good director has an ear for dialogue; a great director an ear for silence. Mr. Fiennes, heartfelt thanks for your refreshing use of silence in the movie. Also, thank you for allowing your supporting actors to shine. All actors forgot themselves in their roles, no one chewed the scenery This was due to expert casting and direction.Do I believe a familiarity with the life of Charles Dickens and his work contribute to an enjoyment of this film? Yes. Am I sympathetic towards those who do not know the work of Dickens or his contemporaries? No.

VaneWimsey The best thing about this movie is that it convincingly recreated Dickens's world. The sets and the costumes are meticulously reproduced. Real-life personages such as Mark Lemon and Wilkie Collins are convincingly portrayed. It gives the viewer a window into the Victorian era. It's true to all the known and provable facts.Now having said that, it's not entirely successful as drama -- mostly because Nelly is made out to be way too saintly and long-suffering. The movie gives you the impression that she had strong moral reservations about Dickens's courtship, had sex with him only once, enjoyed an idyllic nine months with him until their child was still-born, and then totally regretted the whole thing. The truth is that they were a couple for at least ten years, and were probably still a couple at his his death. The actress who plays Nelly is extraordinarily beautiful, but she does nothing except look pained throughout the whole movie.

brchthethird For his sophomore directing feature, Ralph Fiennes turns to history yet again as he brings the story of Charles Dickens' affair with Ellen Ternan to the screen. Ralph Fiennes himself plays Dickens, while Felicity Jones plays Ellen Ternan and Kristin Scott Thomas plays Elllen's mother, Frances. For me, this film works on just about every level. You have an emotionally involving story and elegantly composed images that, when put together, produce a sumptuous period drama. Fiennes gives a terrific, nuanced performance as Dickens and, while not completely likable in some respects, is still quite sympathetic despite his contemptuous treatment of his wife. However, the film belongs to Felicity Jones who gives a deeply emotional and conflicted performance as a woman caught between her own personal dignity, and the feelings she has for a married man. Kristin Scott Thomas also does a fine job portraying the mother, who somewhat reluctantly allows Dickens to "help" her daughter along. I also greatly enjoyed the way this film was photographed. Whether it was captured on digital or film, I don't know, but whatever they did works. There was a very naturalistic look to the film, and a lot of the scenes with natural lighting reminded me of BARRY LYNDON. I also thought the score did a very good job of conveying a sense of unease, chaos and raw emotion that really complemented the film. Overall, while not a purely pleasant experience, I thought this film was very effective and told a story which should resonate with viewers. The only minor complaint I have is that, at first, the movie drifts between two different time periods without really announcing itself. However, I got used to it after a while. So, I can heartily recommend this to anyone, particularly fans of period drama.

Raven-1969 To love and be loved, and enjoy good company, are two crucial things in life. Such things are more difficult for a starry eyed 17 year old, Nelly, who is drawn towards the ineffable, attached and much older Charles Dickens. She was compelled both to love and to hide. Felicity Jones and Ralph Fiennes aptly bring the true story of Nelly to light. Special effects mar films as often as they help, yet here they are used to good effect. The noise and dirty streets of 19th century London are brought to life in all their glory, or lack thereof. When Nelly and Charles attend a horse race, I felt trampled beneath the hooves, but in a good way (as if I was in the shoes of the characters). The costumes are exquisite and lavish. Jones and Fiennes are amply assisted by the likes of Kristen Scott Thomas and other capable actors. Nelly's story is deeply intriguing and unpredictable, tension is palpable, there is a seamless flow between realistic scenes, an admirable balance is maintained between silence and sound, and I loved learning about Nelly and the author I greatly admire. Felicity Jones is the pulse of this film and my heart rends with hers. Seen at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.