I really wanted to like this but it just doesn't make it easy. Let's start with the good bits. 1. It has some excellent actors in it.

Now on to the bad bits. 1. It's just so far removed from the novel , it's hard to see the logic of the rewrite. 2. You may be surprised as I was that the 1850's was just so multi cultural that it just ruins anything that is historic and removes the credibility. 3. It's just not as funny as it wants to be, it tries to be quirky and funny but is completely unsuccessful at both. There are at least 16 million better things to watch or if you really want to experience Dickens , pick one of the classic Dickens productions Like Great Expectations.

Some profoundly eccentric characters but the performances seemed a little forced and the connection you need to carry them over the line was missing for the most part.

Love everything Armando iannucci has done so far but this doesn't work and isn't funny. Turning Dickens's comedy drama into a slapstick farce didn't work for me.