Anne Hathaway, Charlie Hunnam, Christopher Plummer

A tale based on the classic novel, "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" by Charles Dickens. Set in 19th Century England, the story revolves around the resourceful Nicholas Nickleby and his b...( read more  read more... )eloved family, as their world changes dramatically when tragedy strikes. The Nicklebys have always enjoyed a comfortable life; however when Nicholas' father dies, they are left penniless and are forced to leave their lives behind. Subsequently, Nicholas, his sister and mother journey to London to live with their Uncle Ralph, whom they soon discover is wicked. Uncle Ralph plots demonic machinations to scatter them apart from each other. Nicholas is sent away to work as a teacher at a school run by a cruel headmaster named Wackford Squeers; however, he eventually runs away with one of his students, Smike, on a mission to protect his family. Nicholas makes every attempt to reunite the Nickleby family--against all odds.

Flixster Users

75% liked it

2,054 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

121 critics

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Doug McGrath, Douglas McGrath

Release Date: December 27, 2002

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 22, 2003

Get It:

Stats: 531 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (531)


  • November 19, 2007
    Neat to look at. Pretty classic stuff I suppose.
  • October 29, 2006
    Cute and very sweet.
  • March 26, 2006
    Nickleby is a good redition of Dickens novel. But the portrayl of Nickleby is too bitter perfect for my taste.
  • February 22, 2009
    Charlie Hunman is annoying at times, but this is a loyal adaptation of Dickens. Jamie Bell is absolutely stunning, Hathaway is too beautiful but is heartbreaking and yet unconvincing at the same time. A great story given a faithful representation.
  • October 10, 2008
    A good adaptation of a book that drags quite a bit in parts.
  • September 1, 2009
    Sumptuous production, and a great performance by Anne Hathaway make this a quite decent film. A bit long and drawn out for my taste, but a lot of nice things to look at along the way. I'll admit I was bored at times, but overall a fine job.
  • August 30, 2009
    Drámatica y tierna... cuenta con muy buenas actuaciones. Me sorprendió especialmente Jamie Bell.
  • July 7, 2009
    DiS FLiKK WAS GENiUS!!!!
    *****LOVE iT*****
  • June 19, 2009
    Interesting brithish film
    I love all the acting cast
    The story isnt quite carry as the book does but it survives
  • March 25, 2009
    This is a film adaptation, if you follow what others said, an altered plot even *based* on the book. If you wanted to see the book dramatized, then I guess you'll be disappointed. But I, however, wanted to see Alan Cumming, so I rented it. I don't care that it's supposed to be Di...( read more)ckens. I had to convince my husband to watch it because he hated the book. In fact, ours would not be described as Dickens house. We are not fans. We don't attend literary societies and haven't gone to university for literature. Neither are we fans. The closest we can come to liking Dickens is Blackadder's Christmas Carol.

Critic Reviews


January 9, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Plummer steals the show without resorting to camp as Nicholas' wounded and wounding Uncle Ralph. It's a great performance and a reminder of Dickens' grandeur. full review

January 8, 2003
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

To paraphrase a line from another Dickens' novel, Nicholas Nickleby is too much like a fragment of an underdone potato. full review

January 3, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

It's no easy trick to resist the charms of Douglas McGrath's Nicholas Nickleby, and anyone starved for a nice hats-and-corsets literary adaptation certainly isn't up to the task. full review

January 3, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is jolly and exciting and brimming with life, and wonderfully well-acted. full review

January 3, 2003
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

If not every scene bears the Masterpiece Theatre seal of authenticity, the parade of vividly drawn characters is always good fun. full review

December 26, 2002
Claudia Puig, USA Today

This mid-19th century tale of survival after the death of a parent is still compelling today, and its message of strength and the importance of family continues to resonate. full review

December 26, 2002
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

The director has produced a colorful, affecting collage of Dickensian moods and motifs, a movie that elicits an overwhelming desire to plunge into 900 pages of 19th-century prose. full review

View more Nicholas Nickleby reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • mrdarcysjune
    April 11, 2007
    Love, love, love!!! I watched it over and over. Charlie Hunnam and Anne Hathaway were GREAT!!! Every one of the characters is interesting. WATCH IT!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Emma
    Emma (67%)
  • Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
    Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Even... (41%)
  • La Guerre du Feu (Quest for Fire) (The War of Fire)
    La Guerre du Feu (Quest for Fire) (The War of... (57%)
  • Oliver Twist
    Oliver Twist (78%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Nicholas Nickleby Trivia


  • In what movie does a young mang who just lost his father helps a crippled youth called Smike?  Answer »
  • Which actor played Smike in Nicholas Nickleby (2002)?  Answer »
  • which actor appears in billy elliot, dear wendy and Nicholas Nickleby?  Answer »
  • What is the name of Nicholas' cousin in the movie "Nicholas Nickleby"?  Answer »

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?