Mr. Pip

As a war rages on in the province of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, a young girl becomes transfixed by the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations, which is being read at school by the only white man in the village.

Directed by Andrew Adamson, Mr. Pip leans on a strong ensemble — Hugh Laurie, Xzannjah Matsi, Healesville Joel — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2012.