Twist

Let's see... Oliver Twist as a heroin addicted prostitute. Not much of a twist there. I think we always imagined how homeless orphans made their living, but Dickens was Victorian enough to leave the details to our imagination.All the elements of the original tale are here. There's Nick, as the street-wise Dodger and Josh Close as Oliver, the innocent new arrival. There's a grotesque Fagin as the boy's keeper, and an oddly invisible Bill Sykes, who terrorizes everyone around him. There's even a rich old man, who in the end, never adopts Oliver, proving to the boy that some people were just never meant to fit into society.Fans of Nick Stahl will watch him peel potatoes for two hours, and say how wonderful he was. That's the essence of Hollywood. Stars sell movies. Even bad stories can get sold if a popular actor's name appears in the credits. I confess to being a fan of Nick Stahl. I usually enjoy watching him work because he brings such unfiltered emotion to his parts, but watching him struggle through this movie was torture. Ignore the poor sound quality, the lack of continuity, the odd color presentation, and the general lack of a script, and you have a half-told tale of life for street kids in any large city in the world. Nothing new, and unlike the original Dickens tale, nothing to stir your imagination.So what's the twist? This turns out to be a story about prostitutes without a single sex scene. Very Canadian I suppose. Not even a quick shot of someone pulling up their pants after the deed is done. Several deeds are implied, and a couple go undone, but as far as sex goes, I think I could show this to my grandmother without offending her. It's a cowardly approach to the subject matter.As I said before, fans of Nick Stahl will buy this because he's in it, no matter what it's about. If you're looking for a good story, or even a bad story that's worth watching, this is not your movie.

The intensely dark and compelling "Twist" (2003) is loosely based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist,", with the boy pickpockets replaced by a band of junkie hustlers working out of the seedy section of Toronto. The story centers more on Dodge (Nick "Bully" Stahl in a standout intense performance), who befriends a new runaway, pretty blonde Oliver (Joshua Close). Dodge takes him under his wing and indoctrinates him into the group, which is run by an unseen pimp (Bill) and managed by the brutal enforcer Fagin (Gary Farmer). The hangout for the boys is the local "Three Cripples Diner", with the waitress duties shared by two young women (including Bill's wife Nancy, played wonderfully by Michèle-Barbara Pelletier) who are surrogate mothers/big sisters to the boys. The quick loss of Oliver's innocence is seen, as we also learn about Dodge's background (through a visit from his brother) and why he ran away to become a part of this situation.Since the boys are male prostitutes, there is simulated sexual situations and content, but there is no nudity or explicit scenes to detract from the seriousness of the film. Director Jacob Tierneyskillfully weaves a believeable and compelling, through gutwrenching, original story based on the Dickens classic. All of the actors named above, especially Stahl, deliver marvelous, powerful performances that provide depth to their characters. The film seems much shorter than its 97 minutes, and does not have a happy ending. Much recommended to those who can appreciate the art involved, and who won't get mired down in the profession of the characters or a comparison to the original source.Official site:[...]

I loved it! It was a great retelling of a classic story moved into more modern times. Harsh, realistic and dark enough to be disturbing.Parts of the plot went somewhat unfinished. Who removed to body of Fagan - and what did they do with it? Where were the cops? And after watching it with friends we all asked, did these boys ever wash? Nothing resembling a bathroom anywhere - except in the Diner!And the ending.....hmmmm Did they run out of film or money?I love stories that leave you to think up your own ending. But with this one, I would have liked another 30 minutes with a little more resolution. After all, it's not like there will be an "Oliver 2".If you like Sundance/Rialto, you'll almost certainly enjoy this.

Twist, the gay subculture version of Dickens' classic Oliver Twist, is a loose adaptation updated for the 21st century. It is VERY dark, in my opinion, depressing--devoid of the hope for young Oliver and Dodge that exists in the original. I found it interesting mainly from the standpoint of a different take. It seemed to me that several of the characters were too extreme--Oliver was too naive and innocent (unbelievably so) making the jump to hustler too easily for his initial persona; Dodge may have been spot-on, but had too much baggage and too many issues to really identify with him; Nancy was well-played with a good balance of pity and compassion; Fagin was not nearly developed enough to understand him; and Bill, fro either frustrating and/or brilliant reasons, is never seen! If it's your cup of tea, it's a renter, not a buyer.

This film is an effective twist on Dicken's novel that provides a thoughtful viewer with an appreciation for both the contemporary approach to an ignored reality in nations of the world including ours ,and for Dicken's conformation of Karl Marx concern for the children of the streets in a dark period of history in England and ,of course , the wider world sadly not yet changed much for the better. Several of the young actors are quite convincing in their roles. Not a masterpiece , but well worth viewing. You may even be inspired to dive into the original novel Olivier Twist and experience a double win.

I'm honestly not sure if this movie is that great or if I was just relating to it as a 16 year old kid being homeless in Chicago a long time ago. The movie shows how kids can be drawn into bad situations in which they get used, addicted to drugs, and trapped. It's a heavy story with a few intense adult situations, but this one could probably be shown on TV nowadays. No skin. I liked it.

Jacob Tierney (Director) has taken what many would refer to as a classic tale of Oliver Twist, and given it a new and more modern edge. In truth Dickens' novel transcends its time, and such it has an importance relevance for today. The same dark and cruel world Dikens' so aptly created in his novel, is made manifest in this adaption by Tierney. Much of made of Dickens' central theme, although Tierney may have made this version a great deal darker. The story does not stray too far from that of Oliver Twist, with a group of runaways being used in a perverse prostitution ring. Fagan runs the scene on behalf of Bill who is never really seen, but has a presence all of his own. Between his abject cruelty and hostility, Fagan ironically connects with the young men, many of whom care for him (albeit with a great deal of fear). Despite his power over them, he is as fragile and weak as those he corrupts, and is never quite able to break free from the control of Bill. Two of his scenes, where he apologises for his lack of judgment and quick temper are momentary lapses, which within themselves reveal a warmth and resonance that engenders some sympathy in the audience.Dodger played by Nick Stahl, is by far the most successful character. As an actor he chooses his roles carefully, and whilst many would describe them as fringe, I believe they are the most conducive to his own creativity and sense of self. It is here that Tierney deviates slightly from the novel, with a greater emphasis on the flawed character that is Dodger. He is introduced to the audience in the opening scene, only to have his whorl both implode and explode. You are drawn into the life that was his, having been forced from his home by an abusive father and into the tragedy of prostitution. You are never quite sure if he wishes to survive, or if he merely adapts to the world he now finds himself in.Equally abandoned is the young, naive Oliver who after running away from home, is recruited by Dodger desperate to escape one night of 'working'. he knows that if he brings in a new recruit he will be afforded a brief interlude from his life. With each trick, one can see that a small part of the humanness within Dodger is lost. Fearful and desperate for some connection, or even love, causes Oliver to reach out to him on several occasions. Only the Dodger will have none of that. he spurns his advances and affection, becoming increasingly removed. One can speculate as to the reason, but such is not necessary for the central premises of the film. Fagan and Bill may be cruel purveyors of human tragedy, using and abusing those cast aside by humanity. They are however, only part of that truth. Behind each of those boys is a story, founded on abandonment, indifference and pain. Abusive fathers, distant and cruel mothers, having abandoned their traditional roles as carers in favour of their own perversity (whatever that may be). They are far worse than Fagan and Bill, in that they are both the cause and the end of their children's lives.Superbly acted by Nic Stahl (who is underrated as an actor), and aptly supported by Joshua Close (Oliver) makes for a resonating adaption of a well known novel. Although I would caution against too much of a comparison, as Dickens' novel is an artistic genius within itself. Tierney is in my opinion not attempting to modernise that classic tale, but rather to explore its commentary on society as a whole, using much of the same themes and characterisations. His point is to shock his audience into accept ion the truth that Dickens' message (written in the early 19th century) is sadly as relevant today.We just haven't learn't any better, and the question remains whether we ever will?NOTE: Those who enjoyed this film should also look at  Twisted [DVD] [1996] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC ] by Seth Donsky, which was made before Twist. Fans of Nic Stahl should also watch him in  Bully [DVD ] Twisted [DVD] [1996] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSCBully [DVD

Excellente idée, se dit-on, que d'avoir transposé le célèbre roman de Dickens dans les bas-fonds de notre époque, en l'occurrence dans ce Toronto si lointain, si méconnu, si représentatif d'une certaine modernité. Oui, et il y a plus encore: l'oeuvre de Dickens fonctionne ici comme une grille de lecture, nous oblige à reconnaître la cohérence d'un drame et même d'une tragédie là où un regard distrait ne verrait que des silhouettes fugitives aux abords d'une vague zone industrielle désertée. Récurrence incroyablement dure de séquences où il ne se passe en apparence rien, devant les mêmes tasses de café en plastique dans les mêmes bars, où des garçons engoncés dans leurs pauvres habits et leurs mornes habitudes tuent un peu de temps entre une passe et un shoot. Cette désespérance est secouée de vibrations et de révoltes sourdes, les belles âmes et les bons sentiments n'y font pas long feu, pas plus que les fulgurantes éclaircies de désir. Cet univers glauque est bien évidemment la face cachée d'une certaine modernité, mais quelque chose se cherche dans cet échouage, parmi ces épaves, et l'on ne peut pas voir dans ce film un simple constat de désespoir.

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The idea of an adaption of Oliver Twist in a modern setting is an interesting idea and one I'd like to see done well. Sadly, in my opinion, it wasn't done well here at all. Oh the actors did a good job with their parts and all, if they won any acting rewards as a result of this movie they were well deserved. However I found the plot uninteresting and since Oliver Twist is one of my absolute favorite stories, that ought to tell you something right there.The problem is, this story isn't really Oliver Twist. Oh the movie uses all the names of the characters and all but that's the only part of the story that's in the movie. It's more a pointlessly depressing tale about street hustlers that occasionally the story. All the character names could've been changed and the story wouldn't have changed in the slightest. I can only assume that the names of the characters were used to lure fans of Dickens work into watching the movie.In short I found the movie, dull, depressing and pointlessly mean spirited. I give it one star but only because the review system here on Amazon won't let me give it negative stars.