Review: David Copperfield and The King of Staten Island

A Double Feature Review!

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The Personal History of David Copperfield

The Personal History of David Copperfield is a colorful and wildly ambitious adaptation of a Charles Dickens classic. Dev Patel stars as David Copperfield in this stylized and eccentric version by director Armando Iannucci (creator of Veep and 2017's The Death of Stalin). Iannucci's maddening ideas of imagination blend well with a contemporary view of Dickens' beloved work. To the purist, this bold step forward may seem a bit radical, but for Iannucci and his stellar cast, it plays right into their hands. Patel is a marvel as Mr. David Copperfield — charismatic and funny, Patel shines brightly in the role. Iannucci's camera work moves fast —  likewise —  so does his dialogue throughout the film. To some, this type of style may be a little off-putting, but for others, it will be totally engrossing. Alongside Patel are actors Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Ben Whishaw, Rosalind Eleazar, Aneurin Barnard, and Benedict Wong; each one gives their own entity on their respected character. Iannucci's keen style allows each actor to grow and develop into their roles throughout the film. Enriched with beautiful cinematography and gorgeous costumes, The Personal History of David Copperfield is a funny and bold revision to the beloved tale.

The Personal History of David Copperfield is rated PG (Parental Guidance) Thematic Material | Brief Violence.

Directed by Armando Iannucci

Starring Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Ben Whishaw, Rosalind Eleazar, Aneurin Barnard, and Benedict Wong.

The King of Staten Island

The King of Staten Island is another funny Judd Apatow (Knocked Up and Trainwreck) picture; it's also his most heartfelt film to-date. Led by a strong Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island loosely plays as a semi-biography of Davidson's life. In Apatow's film, Davidson is a slacker who dreams of becoming a tattoo artist while living with his mother and hanging out with his friends in Staten Island, N.Y. In the film, Davidson's dad was a firefighter and has passed away when he was young. In real-life, Davidson's dad was also a real firefighter; who passed away during the September 11 attacks. Like a slice of life, Davidson plays Scott, a 24-year-old high school dropout who loves to smoke pot, cannot keep a steady job, and won't fully commit to his girlfriend Kelsey (Bel Powley). Scott seems pretty content with the way he's living his life, but one can tell that loneliness and other anxieties are eating him up inside. Scott's world blows up when his mother (Marisa Tomei) begins dating Ray (Bill Burr), who's also a firefighter. Scott's mom insists that he spend time with Ray and his two young children. The dynamics between Scott and Ray are hilarious and, at times, cringe-worthy. The King of Staten Island blends dark comedy and emotional conflict well together, giving us a deeply moving dramedy. Together, Davidson and Apatow tackle mental health and personal acceptance — gifting us, the audience, with a richly rewarding picture. In the age of anxiety, The King of Staten Island is an honest film that will help one tackle those personal struggles, one laugh at a time.

The King of Staten Island is rated R (Restricted) Language | Drug Use Throughout | Sexual Content | Some Violence/Bloody Images.

Directed by Judd Apatow

Starring Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, Maude Apatow, and Steve Buscemi.