Great Expectations

Author: Phil
Location: Upstate New York

"Great Expectations"

Director: Sophia Coppola
Written by: Alan Ball
Original Score by: Gustavo Santaolalla

Principal Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio: Pip
Scarlet Johansson: Estella
Judi Dench: Miss Havisham
John C. Reily: Joe Gargery
Annette Benning: Mrs. Gargery
Jean Reno: The Convict
Jude Law: Herbert Pocket
Morgan Freeman: Mr. Jaggers

Tagline: "Experience the Expectations"

Synopsis: At an early point in young Philip's life, he comes in contact with people who will change the course of his life forever. He's attacked by a convict, who threatens to kill him if he doesn't help further his escape. He meets an eccentric old woman and her beautiful daughter, Estella, who soon becomes the centerpiece of all Pip's dreams. He receives a large sum of money from an anonymous benefactor. It's not dull for Pip, but it may be too much too soon. Moving from his blacksmith home and into the refined city of London, he learns to be a gentleman, using the Beautiful Estella as his number one motive. But, as the story unravels, and Pip pieces together shards of his scattered life, he realizes that his great expectations may have been illusions. Finding himself closer to danger and farther from his dreams, "Great Expectations" shows Pip's journey as one of tragedy and desperation, with melancholy promise and hope. Expectations are often just illusions: something Pip realizes as he learns more about himself and the complex characters around him.

What the press would say:

Sophia Coppola, widely acclaimed director of Lost in Translation and Marie-Antoinette, is back with an entirely new project. In this adaptation of Charles Dickens moving, heartbreaking, and exciting classic novel, Coppola preserves story and ups style. Staying true to the text, Alan Ball delivers an unforgettable screenplay, while Coppola uses her unique direction to add dimension and humanism to the intimate characters. Set in the authentic time period in old London, the picture doesn't hold back as Coppola creates a beautiful, yet realistic world for a cast of outstanding actors. Among the marvelous performances include Leonardo DiCaprio as the boyish and coming of age Pip, Scarlet Johannson as the beautiful and mysterious Estella, Judi Dench as the eccentric and short tempered Miss Havisham, and Morgan Freeman as the hard, cruel Mr. Jaggers. Like Coppola's other films, "Great Expectations" includes a young character, namely Pip, who becomes lost to himself and to others, in a different culture and a different world. This smooth, stylish, true-to-form, heartbreaking, and moving film is what Hollywood has been looking for. Enter Sophia Coppola's lush, beautiful world of romance and suspense, with dialogue and scenes that you will never forget. Get your hopes up, and be sure to keep them up. You should have great expectations for "Great Expectations!"

Award Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Sophia Coppola
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson
Best Supporting Actress: Judi Dench
Best Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman
Best Original Score
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography