Nicholas Nickleby Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A penniless guy punches a headmaster, becomes a terrible actor, and then his awful uncle dies, leaving him free to be boringly virtuous forever.

🍿 Nicholas Nickleby: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Nickleby’s Plight

The film opens with the Nickleby family enjoying a comfortable life in Devon. However, their idyllic existence is shattered when Nicholas’s father dies, leaving them penniless due to poor stock market speculation. Nicholas, his mother, and his sister Kate journey to London seeking assistance from their wealthy, cold-hearted Uncle Ralph.

Dotheboys Hall

Uncle Ralph, instead of offering genuine help, arranges for Nicholas to become a tutor at Dotheboys Hall, a brutal boarding school in Yorkshire run by the sadistic Mr. Wackford Squeers and his equally cruel wife. Nicholas is horrified by the appalling conditions and the abuse inflicted upon the students.

Escape with Smike

Witnessing the relentless cruelty, Nicholas befriends Smike, a crippled and mistreated boy at the school. After an incident where Squeers severely beats Smike, Nicholas rebels and escapes Dotheboys Hall, taking Smike with him. This act sets them on a journey filled with both hardship and unexpected kindness.

The Crummles Theatrical Troupe

On their journey, Nicholas and Smike encounter the Crummles, a traveling theatrical troupe. They join the troupe and find temporary respite and camaraderie. However, Nicholas’s concern for his sister Kate, who is enduring hardship in London, compels him to leave the troupe and continue his journey.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam): A compassionate young man who strives to protect his family from his uncle’s exploitative schemes after his father’s death.
• Ralph Nickleby (Christopher Plummer): The cold-hearted and avaricious uncle of Nicholas who seeks to exploit his family for personal gain.
• Smike (Jamie Bell): A mistreated boy from Dotheboys Hall who becomes Nicholas’s loyal friend and companion.
• Kate Nickleby (Romola Garai): Nicholas’s sister, who faces hardship and unwanted advances while trying to support her family.
• Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent): The cruel and abusive headmaster of Dotheboys Hall, where Nicholas briefly works as a tutor.
• Newman Noggs (Tom Courtenay): Ralph Nickleby’s loyal but conflicted clerk who secretly helps Nicholas and his family.
• Madeline Bray (Anne Hathaway): A kind and talented artist who becomes Nicholas’s love interest.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mr. Crummles: “In every life, no matter how full or empty one’s purse, there is tragedy. It is the one promise life always fulfills. Thus, happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it but to delight in it when it comes.” – Mr. Crummles reflects on the nature of life and happiness, offering a perspective on enduring hardship.
• Mr. Crummles: “Family need not be defined merely as those with whom they share blood, but as those for whom they would give their blood.” – Mr. Crummles defines the nature of family in a heartfelt observation of the Nickleby’s circumstances.
• Nicholas Nickleby: “Weakness is tiring, but strength is exhausting.” – Nicholas reflects on the cost of upholding moral strength in the face of adversity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,587,173
• Worldwide Gross: $3,651,462

💥 Nicholas Nickleby Reviews

Personal Review

I was initially drawn to this film because of the cast – so many familiar faces! It’s a classic Dickens story, so you know there’s going to be hardship and ultimately, hope. The scenes at Dotheboys Hall were particularly impactful; you really feel for those poor kids. Jim Broadbent and Juliet Stevenson were perfectly awful as the Squeers. While Charlie Hunnam wasn’t my favorite Nicholas, the supporting cast more than made up for it. I felt a lump in my throat at the end when all was resolved.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Charles Dickens adaptations”
  • “Viewers who enjoy period dramas with themes of social justice”
  • “Those who appreciate ensemble casts and heartwarming stories”
  • “Audiences interested in Victorian-era settings and costumes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence and some instances of child abuse may be disturbing to sensitive viewers”
  • “Themes of poverty and social inequality may be upsetting”
  • “The death of a child character may be emotionally challenging.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the cast is excellent and the production design superb, Nicholas Nickleby suffers from a rushed plot and a lack of emotional depth. A beautiful but ultimately superficial adaptation of Dickens.
• Metacritic: “Though visually appealing and boasting a talented ensemble, this Nicholas Nickleby adaptation is ultimately too condensed and sanitized to capture the true spirit of Dickens’ sprawling novel, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming experience.
• IMDb: “A wonderful adaptation of Dickens with a stellar cast, particularly Christopher Plummer. It portrays hope when little is visible. Good triumphs over evil, with an easy touch of education. A good choice for family viewing.

Audience Reactions

The ensemble cast, filled with British acting legends, delivered memorable performances that made the story come alive.: Viewers appreciated the film’s faithfulness to the source material and its heartwarming message of hope and resilience.

Jim Broadbent’s portrayal of Mr. Squeers was both horrifying and hilarious, leaving a lasting impression.: Many found the visuals and costumes of Victorian England to be stunning and authentic.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing adaptation of Dickens’ novel, praised for its ensemble cast and heartwarming story, but criticized for feeling rushed and lacking emotional depth.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “At the request of production designer Eve Stewart, writer and director Douglas McGrath advanced the time from the 1830s to the 1850s, so she could incorporate elements of the Industrial Revolution in her design plans.”
• “The filming locations included Gibson Mill, Midgehole Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England, UK, which served as Dotheboys Hall.”

🖥️ How to Watch Nicholas Nickleby?

Nicholas Nickleby (2002) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for potential streaming options as availability may vary. Some services may offer a free trial before purchase or rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Nicholas Nickleby, you might like these similar films:

• Oliver Twist (2005): Another classic Dickens adaptation exploring themes of poverty, cruelty, and the triumph of good over evil.
• The Importance of Being Earnest (2002): A witty and satirical comedy of manners set in Victorian England, offering a lighter, more comedic view of the era.
• Little Dorrit (1987): A faithful adaptation of another complex Dickens novel, delving into themes of social injustice and personal redemption.
• The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019): A modern adaptation of a Dickens classic, with a focus on character and colorful storytelling.

🛒 Nicholas Nickleby Related Products

• Charles Dickens: Four Novels (Leather-bound Classics): A beautifully bound edition featuring Nicholas Nickleby alongside other classic Dickens novels, making it a sophisticated addition to any Dickens fan’s library. Includes Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol.
• Nicholas Nickleby (2002) [Blu-ray]: High-definition version of the film, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast, and director’s commentary for a deeper dive into the making of the movie.
• Dickens Village: Squeers School: A hand-painted porcelain building depicting the Dotheboys Hall. Detailed and beautifully crafted, it’s a must-have for collectors of literary-themed figurines.
• Nicholas Nickleby: A Dickens Graphic Novel: A visual adaptation of the classic novel, with beautifully illustrated panels. Perfect for introducing younger readers to Dickens or for a fresh take on the story.

🎧 Soundtrack

Nicholas Nickleby features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Rachel Portman
• “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at” – performed by Kevin McKidd, Helen Coker, and Jim Broadbent

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

West Wing Posse Comitatus inc. original Nicholas Nickleby featuring Roger Rees

Ever wonder where that beautiful ‘Patriotic Song’ from The West Wing came from? Turns out it’s from Nicholas Nickleby! Plus, Lord John Marbury himself, Roger Rees, is in it. I think it’s super cool to see the connection between different works of art.

Tom Hiddleston in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001)

Did you know Tom Hiddleston was in Nicholas Nickleby? Check out this clip – it’s pretty fun to see him in one of his earlier roles. He was already a fantastic actor!

Nicholas Nickleby

Is Nicholas Nickleby worth watching? This short review says YES! And they point out that Jamie Bell is really good in it, which I agree with! Give it a watch and let me know what you think.

✨ Rate