Starring Charlie Hunnam,  Anne Hathaway,  Jamie Bell, Christopher Plummer,  Nathan Lane and Timothy Spall.  2002  MGM

It is only on an extremely rare occasion, that after watching a movie, one is left completely stunned and moved by it’s incredible impact and emotive force.  Nicholas Nickleby is one of those movies.  Whether it is the realism of the actors or the literary genius of the novelist Charles Dickens, it is not certain.  Perhaps it is a combination of both.

Unfortunately I have never had the honor of reading Dickens’ classic novel “Nicholas Nickleby”.  The only recollection I have of this story, is that it was a very successful stage play in the early part of the twentieth century.  It also involved a great number of characters - so many that often one person was able to play more than one  role.

The main feature of the film which left me flabbergasted, was to see this handsome young man, motivated by righteous anger,  carried by his inner strength & exuding a total absence of fear,  stand up to the diabolical oppressors of his world,  triumphing to the very end.   This was epitomized by the scene where Nicholas, throws a torrent of rage and physical force against Mr Wackford Squeers who is about to torture a young lad Smike with a whipping, in front of all the other school boys.   Perhaps having never  heard or witnessed such a sight in real life, to see it depicted on the screen, and with such realism, was a rather foreign but staggering sight to behold.

Naturally movies and great novels are fiction not reality.  So one has to wonder if such a character as Nicholas  Nickleby truly exists.  Also it is interesting that within the arts, many characters are often portrayed as totally wicked or totally righteous to the extreme.  In reality sometimes the lines are not drawn so clearly since there can be a hybrid of good and evil in each person. However, these literary characters,  still serve a purpose, and that is to depict an ideal that viewers can choose to emulate.  For instance, in drawing the lines of good and evil in such a confronting and obvious way, it will hopefully influence the viewer to err on the side of good, and thus strive to achieve these qualities in their own lives. 

To balance the seriousness of the sometimes depressing circumstances,there is a great deal of comic relief from other characters which later enter the scene. There is Mr Vincent Crummles and Mrs Crummles who head up their own theatre. ( Played by Nathan Lane & Barry Humphries). They offer humorous delight when they kindly offer Nicholas and his companion Smike, paid roles in their present feature play.  These two thespians epitomize the crazy and comic nature of the bizarre and bohemian life of the artist. .Mr Pluck and Mr Pyke who also at some stage offer Nicholas generous employment, also provide light relief.  They are sly but able businessmen who appear so like each other they almost seem like twins.  It is truly amusing to see these two in action.

However, one of the most moving elements in the film, is the mercy and compassion that Nicholas offers to his younger companion Smike.  Smike enjoys his new friends’ kindness like fresh spring water to a dying man in the dessert.  Smike sees no hope or escape from the dark prison in which he has lived most of his life, until Nicholas helps to give him freedom. Nicholas offers to be his protection and defender ‘till the end of his days.  One cannot help but be touched deeply by the utter love and devotion that Nicholas shows for his friend who had formerly been forgotten and forlorn. 

Smikes’ last desperate feeling, is felt by his loyal but unrequited love he conceals for Nicholas’ lovely sister Kate.  This is only relieved by the confession of the object of his passion  to Nicholas, when Smike lives out his last days.   This romantic predicament is a reminder of the consequences of his  maltreatment which  he received by society in his early years.

This movie is also a true winner, since it opens with Nicholas Nickleby as a wee and adorable bald headed young baby which successfully endears one to the film instantly.  A highly strategic way to draw the viewer’s attention.

There are so many biblical principals and parallels that can be explored within the plot and characters of this story as well.  For instance, the noble and righteous character of Nicholas Nickleby  in parts,  is almost like that of  Jesus who enters people’s lives to rescue and save them from the sins and treachery of their squalid  world.  The life of Ralph Nickleby the merciless uncle, also reveals how a man reaps what he sows.  If a man sows evil attitudes and deeds then he must reap the consequences of this in later life. Galatians 4: 7-8.  It also shows how wealth can be very fleeting – it can be here today and gone tomorrow.  The film could be a wonderful tool to help motivate and inspire others to take greater action to further the causes of social justice in our modern society.

In conclusion Nicholas Nickleby is truly a work of genius emanating from the pen of Charles Dickens, since it brings to life the predicaments, plots and people that still exist in our world today.   

Highly recommended viewing!

© Adelle Arwen 2007