Gillian Anderson

This image is from the BBC 1 three-part series adaptation of Great Expectations that aired in 2011. Miss Havisham is portrayed by American actress, Gillian Anderson. The many interpretations of Miss Havisham, in film and television, have varied in accordance to the actress. I find Anderson’s performance to the most diverse considering Miss Havisham is such an iconic role.   

When I read the book, my initial impression of Miss Havisham was a woman virtually immobile, who is cold and harsh and confident in speech. Anderson, however, presents different characteristics. Anderson’s version seemed to flit about quite actively and looked healthy and clean considering she has spent so long away from daylight.

In fact, I feel the film, as a whole, is wrong to include so much daylight in Satis House. A very crucial detail in the story of Great Expectations is Miss Havisham’s sun deprivation. Make up wise, Anderson has been realistically withered to present a character not only deprived of sunlight but deprived of love and emotion. However, from the offset, we first see Miss Havisham emerging from a staircase with sunlight cast over her from a break in the curtains. Sure this gives us an eerie silhouette but it entirely negates her physical appearance. 

I think there are particularly poor aging techniques used on Anderson in this series. Her curls look far too intact considering they would have been styled many years ago. They hang so tight and neat, they look almost childish. Also, her wedding gown looks more like a night dress, no veil or train, and is considerably white considering it has been worn for such a lengthy period.

Anderson hasn’t any bridal flowers in her hair or jewels around her neck. She walks around barefoot as opposed to the traditional detail of Miss Havisham having only one shoe on. She also speaks with a soft, high-pitched voice, which doesn’t come across as authoritative as the book describes Miss Havisham to be.

Finally, the contemporary trait of self-harm suggests a very insecure character which negates the bold, eccentric details of Miss Havisham in the book.

http://kooltvblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/pips-progress-dark-road-of-great.html#!/2011/12/pips-progress-dark-road-of-great.html