GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1998)

Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron

Based on the novel by: Charles Dickens

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert De Niro, Anne Bancroft, Chris Cooper, Hank Azaria, Josh Mostel, Kim Dickens, Nell Campbell, Gabriel Mann, Stephen Spinella, Jeremy James Kissner, Raquel Beaudene

111 minutes

(R - strong language, adult themes, adult situations, some violence)

PLOT:

Twenty-something Finnegan Bell, a commercial fisher on his "Uncle" Joe's boat on the Florida Gulf coast, has always had an affinity for and talent as an artist, although he has not created any art in many years. He was largely raised by Joe, his older sister Maggie's boyfriend, after his parents died, and subsequently Maggie ran off without a word. As a child, Finn was "hired" by the wealthiest woman in the region, older Ms. Dinsmoor, who was seen as a bit of an eccentric, to be the weekly playmate to her niece, Estella, largely as her dance partner. This task was despite Estella not showing Finn any interest initially. Regardless, Finn has always loved Estella, that love which exists to this day, despite he not having seen her since she left without a word to attend school when she was in her late teens. Despite never having sold any art or pursued it as a career, Finn is approached by lawyer Jerry Ragno, telling him that an unnamed benefactor would like him to go to New York to paint for a one-man show at a prestigious gallery. Finn assumes it is Ms. Dinsmoor, who has set up this commission so that he can once again pursue Estella, who is now living there. In accepting the commission, Finn will learn after all these years if things have changed since childhood, including if both Ms. Dinsmoor and Estella can and will manipulate the situation for their own purposes. An incident from Finn's past will catch up with him in New York and will provide him with a clearer perspective of how he got to where he is.

CLIP: