Review of Oliver! (1968) by Akramul I — 16 May 2017

I could listen to the songs from Oliver all day long, and since the movie is almost wall-to-wall music that's a good thing. It's one of those classic musicals that has always made me want to get up out of my seat to dance and sing along. That is, in fact, what I used to do as a kid. I particularly loved singing "Consider Yourself" a truly delightful tune.

The story is a great one, and it still holds up even when you watch it multiple times. It always takes me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I greatly enjoy all of the cast except, sadly, Mark Lester. He takes the cute naïveté too far, it seems so unbelievable when taken to that extreme. But I tolerate that, because it works for the character.

My only other problem with Oliver is one that I very rarely say about a film...it seems too short. Wait, did I just say a 2.5 hour movie seems short? Let me clarify: the story feels like it is taking place over a span of only two days. There were moments when I think it would have helped the story to give the illusion that a little time had passed.

In the long run, I think Oliver is a very enjoyable film. I can probably get the same enjoyment by listening to the soundtrack, but that's not a terrible thing in a musical. The story warms my heart and makes me smile. I could see it turning off people who don't enjoy classic musical style, but that's right up my alley.