Nicholas Nickleby

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Nicholas Nickleby

PG

Released Dec 27, 2002

2h 18m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

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127 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

After the death of the family patriarch, young Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) and his family are left with no means to survive. The family is forced to split up, and Nicholas lands in a school run by brutish principal Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent). Eventually, Nicholas makes a friend named Smike (Jamie Bell), and the two boys break free. Nicholas reunites with his family, but learns he must now defend his sister from the advances of menacing suitor Sir Mulberry Hawk (Edward Fox).

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Critics Consensus

Thanks to a strong cast of experienced actors and director Douglas McGrath's steady hand, Nicholas Nickleby is a worthy and respectful adaptation of the Dickens novel.

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Steven Oxman

Variety

Pic separates itself out by hitting the humor as hard as the pathos, finding a nice contrast between the caricatures of the supporting roles and the dimensionality of the leads.

Feb 2, 2018

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John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

... makes for bravura storytelling...

Feb 2, 2018

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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

Above all other pleasures it offers, it provides a classic of literature and social criticism with a straight run-through from start to finish.

Jan 9, 2018

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This Reader’s Digest approach is remarkably fluid and full-bodied, if lacking the full emotional wallop.

Rated: 3/4

May 8, 2023

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Directed at a sprightly yet smooth pace, [Douglas McGrath's] adaptation packs an astounding amount of complications into just over two hours with deft efficiency.

Jan 27, 2017

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

a pleasurable ride

Rated: B

Jan 28, 2012

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 18 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 23rd anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

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Nadia W

If you havent seen this, do it now. An absolute knockout of a script, unbelievable stacked cast, gripping, heartwarming and romantic story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

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Eye C

A nice movie about doing the right thing always, no matter what, in principle is what we should always do. Good cast by the way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

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Fleur H

Great story, stunning cast, but a TERRIBLE actor in the leading role. It's like Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone all over again!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/24

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Garry G

The scenes were obviously superimposed and looked so unreal. Comparing this film to Martin Chuzzlewit BBC series, there is no comparison. I stopped watching it after an hour as I was totally bored senseless.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this is everything you want in a fun, early 2000's adventure film. Based on a novel by Charles Dickens and filled with stellar performances by Christopher Plummer and Co. This is the kind of movie with the kind of sincere m, convincing acting that is all too rare these days.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/22

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Douglas McGrath

Director

Jamie Bell

Smike

Jim Broadbent

Wackford Squeers

Tom Courtenay

Newman Noggs

Alan Cumming

Mr. Folair

Edward Fox

Sir Mulberry Hawk

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - Debut Performance

1:48

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - Challenging Squeers

2:11

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - Fainting is Romantic

1:33

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - A New Salary

1:52

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - Rescuing Smike

2:02

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - Save Ourselves Together

2:02

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - A Brother's Dying Wish

1:14

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - The Theatrical Profession

2:08

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - One Great Crash

2:13

Nicholas Nickleby: Official Clip - Humble Mrs. Squeers

0:51

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Synopsis

After the death of the family patriarch, young Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) and his family are left with no means to survive. The family is forced to split up, and Nicholas lands in a school run by brutish principal Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent). Eventually, Nicholas makes a friend named Smike (Jamie Bell), and the two boys break free. Nicholas reunites with his family, but learns he must now defend his sister from the advances of menacing suitor Sir Mulberry Hawk (Edward Fox).

Director: Douglas McGrath
Producer: Simon Channing Williams, John Hart, Jeff Sharp
Screenwriter: Charles Dickens, Douglas McGrath
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: PG (Some Violent Action|Childbirth Scene|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 27, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 2h 18m

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