Dev Patel steps into the shoes of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield in this ebullient adaptation written by Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell.

The story of David Copperfield takes us through his life from baby to man, riches to rags and back again and the many friends and one enemy he makes on the way. This adaptation is truly breathtaking in its uplifting whimsical nature and the fact that if it is not keeping a huge smile on your face it is extracting belly laughs as well. The writing, direction and acting are all tremendous.

The story is told directly from the experience of Copperfield who is delivering it from a stage as an adult when he steps directly into his home as his mother is in labour and begins his tale. These directorial flourishes continue throughout the film where characters move directly from one location into another, opening up the world and creating a cinematic feel to an adaptation of a book. All of the actors are clearly having tremendous fun with the witty writing and deliver pitch perfect performances that are a delight. And whilst everyone is perfect it is worth picking out some of the more memorable ones. Dev Patel as Copperfield is a sensational and charismatic leading man, Hugh Laurie and TIlda Swinton make an hilarious comedy double act (Swinton kicking people off donkeys is genuinely one of the funniest things you will see ever). Peter Capaldi, Paul Whitehouse and Jairaj Varsani (as a young David Copperfield) are also brilliant chewing the various dialects available to them. And I am still leaving out so many great performances.

I should also call out that the colour blind casting works superbly well. This is about hiring the best actors to take on the roles and the likes of Benedict Wong playing the father of Rosalind Eleazor matters not when they capture the spirit of the film perfectly.

If you’ve managed to get this far through my ramblings I hope you’ve established that I loved it and I hope you will too.