MovieChat Forums > Great Expectations (2012) Discussion > I'm sorry, but Gillian Anderson was too ...

I'm sorry, but Gillian Anderson was too YOUNG...

posted 12 years ago by Cali7
22 replies | jump to latest

...to play Miss Havisham! I found her mannerisms and voice to be off-putting and ludicrous. She looked younger than Estella at times! Annoying casting that just doesn't work for me, I'm afraid.

[–] GeorgiaLass 12 years ago

I agree. Although interesting, the character that she created isn't right for the story.

[–] Seymour-Pats 12 years ago

I agree too. I love Gillian Anderson but even with the make up and crazy hair she was obviously very beautiful and not old. In fact, I thought the crazy make up and hair made her kind of ethereal looking, and I found her more beautiful than Estella.

I also thought her voice and fragile persona didn't fit the character. Ms. Havisham was crazy, but she was hardened and mean-spirited and Gillian's portrayal just seemed too broken and fragile for that.

I do respect Anderson for trying to bring something different to the character, but I didn't think it worked.

[–] DorsiaRes 11 years ago

gillian has actually said recently (at the emerald city comic con in seattle, march 2013) that she wasn't wearing any makeup.. that's how they got her look. somebody asked her how they were able to make her look that way :)

[–] LetThemEatCake01 9 years ago

Are you telling me you did not see her mean spiritedness? it was there!

[–] kaskait 12 years ago

I liked Anderson's interpretation of the character.

However, I do agree that she was far too young and too beautiful for the role.

Going by Dicken's description, Havisham was supposed to look like Baba Yaga not Vasilisa. Many times Anderson outshines Kirby and that could not have been the intention.

[–] valkyriex 12 years ago

I won't argue your issue with how she played Miss H, but I do feel it necessary to point out that Gillian was 43 when she performed in this production. I bring this up, because almost all the people that have stated that she was too young, also happen to hold up Martita Hunt (David Lean version) as the epitome of how Miss H must be played. Well, it needs to be stated that Martita Hunt was 46 when she played Miss H in the David Lean version, so she and Gillian were only separated by 3 years at the time of their portrayals.

[–] kaishalouise 12 years ago

Indeed - besides, due to Compeyson's age, it would be very difficult for her to be much older than she was. It does kind of make sense for her to be younger than 60/70 as she is usually portrayed, simply because of the timeline.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] explorer801 12 years ago

In the books, Miss Havisham was around 50. Gillian Anderson is just about that. She NAILED it!
~Mikey

[–] Cassandra_Speaker 12 years ago

Havisham couldn't be more than her 40s, otherwise Compeyson would also be an old man.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bL6IwVKuAoQ

[–] Tomatish 11 years ago

She was my least favourite of this adaptation. I don't think she was wrong for the character with regards to age or appearance. Her acting just never went deeper than the surface. I didn't feel her burning desire for revenge, her anger. She pretty much just delivered the lines, no less, no more. That's my opinion anyway.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] greenbudgie 10 years ago

She wasn't right. In other versions Miss Havisham is a wispy, crumbly old lady. Gillian Anderson is too attractive to have played this role.