Great Expectations

Great Expectations

Year: 2013

Runtime: 128 min

Language: English

Director: Mike Newell

DramaRomance

A woman with expansive plans seeks the ideal accomplice to realize her ambitious project. She meticulously interviews numerous potential assistants, but each candidate proves to be increasingly eccentric and unpredictable. As the selection process continues, her patience is tested and the line between brilliance and madness becomes increasingly blurred, forcing her to confront the challenges of her grand design.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Great Expectations (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Great Expectations (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 19th century

The story unfolds in the early 1800s, a time marked by social change and the complexities of class distinctions in Victorian England. This period was characterized by the Industrial Revolution, which greatly influenced the lives and expectations of individuals, shaping Pip's journey from humble beginnings to the aspirations of becoming a gentleman.

Location

Kent, London, Satis House

The movie takes place in the coastal marshes of Kent, a rugged and remote landscape that reflects Pip's early struggles. Satis House, the home of Miss Havisham, is an imposing and dilapidated mansion filled with memories of lost love and despair. London represents the bustling urban environment that transforms Pip's expectations and aspirations as he seeks to become a gentleman.

🌳 Landscape 🏙️ City 🏰 Historic

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:47

Main Characters – Great Expectations (2013)

Meet the key characters of Great Expectations (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Philip 'Pip' Pirrip (Jeremy Irvine)

Pip is the protagonist of the story, whose journey from an orphaned child to a gentleman is marked by ambition, love, and regret. His character embodies the struggle between social aspirations and the realities of his origins. Pip's relationships, particularly with Estella and Magwitch, profoundly influence his development throughout the film.

🧑‍🎓 Protagonist 💔 Ambition 🎩 Gentleman

Estella (Holliday Grainger)

Estella is the beautiful but cold-hearted adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. She is the object of Pip's affection but proves to be emotionally unattainable, representing both his dreams and disillusionment. Estella's upbringing under Miss Havisham's influence shapes her character, ultimately leading to her own struggles with love and vulnerability.

💔 Desire 👸 Femme Fatale ❄️ Coldness

Miss Havisham (Helena Bonham Carter)

Miss Havisham is a wealthy, eccentric woman who lives in her decaying mansion, forever dressed in her old wedding gown. She embodies bitterness and revenge after being jilted at the altar. Her manipulation of Pip and Estella represents the destructive power of unhealed wounds and the consequences of her tragic past.

🕰️ Time 💔 Betrayal 🔥 Tragedy

Joe Gargery (Jason Flemyng)

Joe is Pip's kind and patient brother-in-law, a blacksmith by trade. He serves as a moral compass and represents loyalty and unconditional love. Despite Pip's aspirations to become a gentleman, Joe remains grounded and is an enduring symbol of Pip's true roots.

🛠️ Blacksmith ❤️ Loyalty 👨‍👦‍👦 Family

Abel Magwitch (Ralph Fiennes)

Magwitch is an escaped convict who plays a crucial role in Pip's life as his secret benefactor. Initially seen as a threat, he becomes a symbol of redemption and the complexities of social class. His relationship with Pip reveals themes of gratitude, guilt, and the impact of one's past on their future.

🚨 Criminal ❤️ Redemption 💰 Wealth

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:47

Major Themes – Great Expectations (2013)

Explore the central themes of Great Expectations (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Unrequited Love

The theme of unrequited love is central to Pip's journey as he yearns for Estella's affection, only to be met with coldness and rejection. Miss Havisham's manipulation leads Pip to chase a love that is ultimately unattainable, reflecting the pain and often irrational nature of love. This longing drives many of Pip's decisions throughout the story, shaping his character and fate.

🏰 Social Class

Class distinction plays a pivotal role in 'Great Expectations,' influencing Pip’s identity and aspirations. His desire to rise above his humble beginnings leads to both opportunities and personal conflict. The stark contrast between the lives of the wealthy and the working class emphasizes the social barriers of the time and Pip's internal struggle with his origins.

⚖️ Redemption

Redemption is a recurring theme in the narrative as characters like Pip, Magwitch, and Miss Havisham seek forgiveness and change. Pip's journey towards recognizing his faults and reconciling with those he wronged illustrates the transformative power of redemption. This theme culminates in Pip's eventual acceptance of his past and the relationships he forged along his path.

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:47

Unlock the Full Story of Great Expectations

Don't stop at just watching — explore Great Expectations in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Great Expectations is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Great Expectations Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Great Expectations, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Great Expectations Summary

Great Expectations Timeline

Track the full timeline of Great Expectations with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Great Expectations Timeline

More About Great Expectations

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Great Expectations: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Great Expectations

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