Unfortunately, FX’s GreatExpectations (streaming on Hulu) is a dreary and hollow adaptation of a Dickens classic. Review:
With Dickens adaptations always comes great expectations. Those expectations are not unfounded—one of the most popular writers of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens is responsible for a number of culture-defining stories, each with their own attempts at being brought to both the big and small screens.
The heartlessness of FX’s attempt at this story not only affects the characters, but the general storytelling of the series as well. In every single way, it’s entirely too edgy for its own good. Bolstered by frequent drug montages, brothel and bar visits, and a dreary tone that sucks any sense of levity from each scene, even Mrs. Joe dodges her fate as an invalid to instead become a sort of BDSM mistress to Matt Berry’s Mr. Pumblechook.
With that being said, there are some interesting and welcome changes made for this series, and most of them have to do with Brune-Franklin’s Estella. Her presence is much more consistent within this, and her altered storyline gives her much more agency and depth than was offered at times within the original novel.
Anna Govert is an entertainment writer based in middle-of-nowhere Indiana. For any and all thoughts about TV, film, and the wonderful insanity of Riverdale, you can follow her
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