When is the last time that you saw the 1998 flick Great Expectations with Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke? God, it is just so, so good. Not only is the modern retelling of the Dickens classic brimming with amazing fashion (Donna Karan designed Paltrow's wardrobe for the entire film, while director Alfonso Cuaron has an affinity for making movies infused with the color green) but it explores the expectations that we set for ourselves and for others...and what happens when they aren't met.
In the movie, loosely based on the book, a young boy named Finn (Hawke) meets and becomes instantly enchanted with Estella (Paltrow at her absolute nastiest), who ends up growing into the ravishing and always-unattainable object of his desire. Over the years, knowing Finn is in love with her, Estella taunts him with her aloof attitude. Eventually Finn discovers that her eccentric aunt, Ms. Dinsmoor, once jilted at the altar, has trained Estella to break his heart and the heart of every man that she comes across. The story is full of heart-breaking love and is set against a hauntingly, lush Florida landscape and a glittering 1990's New York. Thanks to Cuaron, the film is a constant style procession of rich emeralds, olives and khaki. Some of my favorite images are below...
And the trailer...just to help remind you of it's 90's brilliance.
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