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Art and Alfonso Cuarón's Great ExpectationsFilm Rendition of Charles Dickens' Novel Focuses on Art
In his remake of Charles Dickens' novel, Great Expectations, Alfonso Cuarón's main character Finn is an artist, whose work is present throughout the film
Novels have always been transposed into films. Film takes on the novel’s words and presents it visually. Often such an attempt is successful. Other times, it leaves a bad taste in the viewer’s mouth because it was nothing like they imagined. There is only so much one can do with film. There is limited time and dialogue. This is very often a drawback for directors struggling to accurately translate a novel to film. Some take their chances with extended dialogue. Others rely on another element to add a distinctive layer to the film. It becomes the “writing” of the film. The Art of Great Expectations Art is the focus from the beginning of the film. Across the credits, paintings fade in and out. The first shows several fishhooks lying together. The theme of fish represents Finn, Cuarón’s translation of Dickens’ Pip. With the appearance of Ethan Hawke’s (Finn) name, a painting of a head appears. It is empty, save for five shooting stars squeezed inside. Behind Gwyneth Paltrow’s (Estella) name is a nude picture of her drawn by Finn. When the words Great Expectations appear, a picture of a fish and a bird surfaces. Inside the mouth of a fish jumping out of the water, is a boy. Inside the mouth of the bird hovering just above the water, is a girl. The two are kissing, arms pressed to their sides in the guise of a fin and a resting wing. The Meanings of the PaintingsAll of these images show various emotions, giving the intuitive viewer a glimpse of the characters before they appear. Finn’s head is empty save for thoughts of stars (Estella) and his mind is fixed on higher things. The picture of Estella is more complex. It is a side view of a naked woman, head tilted back towards the viewer, a small smile on her lips. Obviously, Estella is not as happy as the viewer assumes, but in this image she is relaxed. It is easy for Estella to be herself in front of Finn. She cannot do this in public. The picture of the kissing figures is another of Cuarón and Dickens‘ shared themes. As children, Finn and Estella share a passionate kiss. This is the beginning of Finn’s obsession with Estella and her lifestyle. As the fish, he was the victim of an experience he shouldn‘t have had -- loving a bird flying high above him. The Reflection of the Art on the CharactersThe evolution of Finn’s personality is reflected in his art. Before meeting Estella, his sketchbook is filled with fish in the sea. However, after meeting her, a radical change takes place in his drawings: a person bent over its knees in despair; hands in chains, a heart linking the chains together; a fish rising above the water, chains wrapped around its tail, an anchor dragging it downward. Reflected in these pictures are Finn’s sadness and inability to act upon his feelings, skillfully referencing Dickens’ text. It is very hard for a director to successfully take the idea from a novel and transpose it to the screen. Cuarón sees to it that Great Expectations is not lost in translation. Through the art, it is reborn. It becomes an old face in a newer, but familiar setting. The art becomes the unspoken words behind the dialogue. Cuarón, Alfonso, dir. Great Expectations. Perf. Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow. 20th Century Fox, 1998.
The copyright of the article Art and Alfonso Cuarón's Great Expectations in Film Dramas Based on Books is owned by Sarah F. Sorensen. Permission to republish Art and Alfonso Cuarón's Great Expectations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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