Charles Dickens: The Man Who Asked for More is a documentary film which premiered in 2006.
The topic is the life and work of the famous British writer Charles Dickens.
Here is some basic information about this film:
** Director: Liam Dale
** Narrator: Liam Dale
** Writer: Sue Hosler
** Language: English
** Subtitles: English
** Available on TUBI TV
** Run time: 59 minutes
In this film, the life and work of Charles Dickens is covered with many details from the beginning in 1812 until the end in 1870.
The members of his family are presented. His father and mother; his wife Catherine; and his numerous children. Charles was a prolific author. All his major works are presented.
Charles was born in a poor family. His father had a job but almost no money. When Charles became a popular writer, his situation changed dramatically. He sold many books and made a lot of money, but he also spent a lot of money. Even though he made a lot of money, he often had financial problems.
49 minutes into the film, a young actress is mentioned. Charles was fascinated with this young woman whose name was Ellen. Charles and Ellen began a secret relationship.
It was a deep secret, because Charles was married when it began. After a while, he divorced his wife Catherine, but his relationship with Ellen was still a deep secret.
52 minutes into the film, a train crash is mentioned. This horrible accident which happened in 1865 is an important moment in his life.
Charles was a passenger on the train. He was travelling with Ellen and her mother. When the train crashed, 10 people lost their lives and 40 were injured.
Charles, Ellen, and her mother survived the accident. But Charles was recognized by someone who suspected that he was travelling with Ellen and her mother. Charles insisted that he was travelling along.
After the train accident, a rumour about Charles and Ellen began to circulate. Whenever this happened, he ignored the rumour or denied it.
The relationship lasted for more than ten years. It continued until his death in 1870. It was not illegal. But it was a violation of the moral standards which dominated Victorian England.
Charles never admitted to his relationship with Ellen. He was afraid it would ruin his reputation and damage his career as a writer.
What do reviewers say about this film? On Amazon there are at the moment17 ratings, 12 with reviews.
The average rating is 3.3 stars, which corresponds to a rating of 66 percent. Here are the details:
5 stars = 28 percent
4 stars = 22 percent
3 stars = 11 percent
2 stars = 24 percent
1 star = 15 percent
As you can see, the reviews are mixed. 50 percent are positive. 50 percent offer four or five stars. But a large group are negative. More than 35 percent offer only one or two stars. A small group is in the middle: 11 percent offer three stars.
I understand the high number of critical and negative reviews. This film has several flaws.
Let me explain:
# 1. Liam Dale is not only the director; he is also the narrator. Sadly, it is not pleasant to listen to his voice. Several reviewers mention that he should have chosen another and a better narrator.
# 2. The script by Sue Hosler is written in a dry and pompous style which feels old-fashioned.
# 3. The music which plays when the narrator takes a break is not well-chosen. It does not go well with the situation and the images which appear on the screen.
# 4. Dickens was a popular writer, not only in the UK but also in the US. In 1842, he travelled across the Atlantic Ocean and toured several cities in the US and Canada. One of the pictures used to illustrate this tour shows the Statue of Liberty.
This statue is a famous landmark of New York, but it did not exist in 1842. Using a picture of this statue to illustrate a journey which took place in 1842 is an anachronism.
# 5. The subtitle of the film is odd:
The Man Who Asked for More
What is the meaning of this subtitle? Why was it chosen? Many people ask for more than they have. This is not something which describes Dickens and only him.
I have a simple solution:
Charles Dickens: His Life and Work
# 6. In this film, the life and work of the famous writer is presented in great detail. What we are told here is, as far as I know, true. Unfortunately, the presentation of the topic is far from successful.
This film is not great. It is not even good. It is average. This is why the rating on Amazon is quite appropriate. This is why it deserves a rating of three stars (60 percent).
REFERENCES
The Invisible Woman
A historical drama which premiered in 2013
Run time = 111 minutes
The Man Who Invented Christmas
A historical drama which premiered in 2017
Run time = 104 minutes
*****
Charles Dickens
(1812-1870)
*****
Charles Dickens:
The Man Who Asked for More
(2006)
*****
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