High Expectations and Great Hopes

     The film High Hopes by Mike Leigh can be interpreted as having drawn inspiration from the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens not only in name, but in spirit and narrative as well.
     High Hopes has many themes that Leigh artfully weaves together. The distinction between classes and class interaction being first and foremost, the movie also invites the viewer to ponder the meaning of family, as well as abuse. Leigh's characters are all in very distinct separate roles and classes. Cyril and Shirley, who serve as the moral ground and relatable characters, are clearly depicted as working class, making ends meet but not ascending or climbing the social ladder in any way. Valerie, Cyril's sister, is diametrically opposed to his personality, and to a certain extent his way of life. Valerie and her husband are devoted to climbing the social ranks and in doing so shun certain virtues that those "below them" seem to commit to naturally. Examples of this include making sure that the mother is warm, comfortable, or simply spending time caring for her. Finally, the haughty neighbors are caricatures that are meant to embody the snobbery of the nouveau riche. Each class "has their place" that, once deviated from, the upper classes endeavor to restore. The mother of Cyril is locked out of her house and then, with great effort and disdain from the neighbors and daughter, finally "put back" into her council home. a symbol of poverty and lower class.
     Although the main cast of characters largely hails from one family, the differences in lifestyles tends to spread cracks throughout their foundation. The relationship between brother and sister and mother and daughter is splintered because of different expectations of life. Living free versus living lavishly proving to be the center of conflict. Abuse between classes isn't the only focus here though, as we see Valerie abuse her mother several times. In this way, the abuse is metered out by someone who isn't in control of their life, finances, or love. Because they aren't in control, they seek control over something they know they can overpower, something that they feel couldn't survive without their attention.
     Great Expectations also carries the same themes as class difference, family, and abuse, yet instead of using a handful of different characters to portray the different struggles, the conflict is largely centered in the growth and interactions of one character, Pip, with the world. Pip begins as working class, poor and uneducated yet upon gaining wealth and prestige, tends to shun his family and upbringing. Not only does this highlight the class difference, but it shows how the move between classes can affect someone. Later in the novel, as Pip has his metaphorical fall from grace, he seeks redemption and recompense for his past sins and transgressions. Pip gains an understanding of some virtues that he hadn't thought of as natural before, and in doing so makes peace with who he is and what he feels is right.
    In terms of abuse, High Hopes mirrors Great Expectations and the situation of Mrs. Joe with Valerie. Both feel that they must be in control of something, to give their life meaning as they spiral further down. Mrs. Joe turns to using Joe and Pip as punching bags for her frustration and anger, while Valerie takes her pains out on her mother. Both are seen/heard to say something akin to "You should be grateful for all that I do for you". Mainly both characters serve to highlight the effects of abuse and the toll that can take on a family. Wayne in the beginning of High Hopes also appears to mirror Pip's experience in that Pip was sent away to somehow achieve success or learn something. The difference here being that Wayne was wholly unsuccessful and ended up returning home rather than live a high society life, however brief.
     High Hopes lacks a true ending while Great Expectations has two, as such, Great Expectations can seem more satisfying to the average person, however, both works elegantly combine their themes to produce a thought-provoking commentary on class and relationships.