A lovely look at Sophia

As an adaptation of the Dickens novel, it's a mixed bag. I think Dickens lends himself more to the style of 1930s and '40s filmmaking (the Ronald Coleman/Elizabeth Allan adaptation of Tale of Two Cities is perfect) than to the style of the present day. And occasionally in this movie, the comedy is simply too broad. Yes, some of Dickens's characters are exaggerated, but when they're depicted on screen they have to be pulled back a little, or they become mere caricatures.

Having said all that, the film is well worth viewing by fans of Sophia Myles. There is no digital grading or colour-filtering (of the kind that you see in other period pieces featuring Sophia), so her peaches-and-cream fair complexion is seen in natural light. The movie offers many dazzling close-ups of her angelic facial features. In fact, an early shot more vividly displays Sophia's heavenly blue eyes than any other film to date.

How nice that Sophia's part wasn't minimal, but was allowed to play out in full, as a plot in itself. The fact that this is an expansive adaptation (200 min.) allows for it. True, her story did sort of get lost in the end, but for much of the film, she is almost as present as Nickleby is.

And of course, the period dresses look gorgeous on her, particularly the lovely lavender gown that she modelled in the dressmaker's shop.

Oh, and her acting (it goes without saying) is brilliant -- but that's a given. She is never anything less that perfect in terms of her actual performances.

I wouldn't quite deem this a must-have DVD either for Sophia admirers or for Dickens fans, but it's well worth a viewing.