Review of Oliver Twist (2005) by Eric F — 13 Jan 2006

[b][font=Arial]This is definitely one to see if you haven't already seen it. This is the story of young Oliver Twist (played by Barney Clark), a young boy who's trying to find a home after he's thrown out of an orphanage for asking for more food. He ends up in the home of an undertaker, where events lead to him heading off to London in his barefeet. In London he comes across a young boy called The Artful Dodger (played by Harry Eden) a pickpocket who offers him a loving family of castaways and home ubder the roof of a man named Fagin (wonderfully acted by Ben Kingsley).[/font][/b].

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[b][font=Arial]Fagin, Dodger and Barney (one of the pickpockets played by Lewis Chase) teach Oliver the tricks of the trade much to the unapproval of Nancy (Leanne Rowe) a beautiful young lady whom was raised by Fagin and only see the innocence and sweetness of Oliver. When things go bad on Oliver's first day on the job, he's abandoned by Dodger and Barney. The police catch Oliver red handed trying to steal from Mr. Brownlow an old man in front of a bookstore. Feeling bad for the beating that was given to Oliver by the police Mr. Brownlow opts to adopt Oliver and raise him right. [/font][/b].

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[b][font=Arial]But even when things seem to be going good finally for Oliver, he has a home, food and fresh clothes, it gets worse when Fagin's boss the mean hearted Bill Sykes (played perfectly by Layercake's Jamie Foreman) wants Oliver found fearing that he might turn Fagin over to the which would lead them to him.[/font][/b].

[b][font=Arial]Drama unfolds as Sykes finds Oliver at Mr. Brownlow's and the plan to kidnap Oliver doesn't succeed completely and the whole of London is looking for Oliver, Sykes and Fagin. [/font][/b].

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[b][font=Arial]Great performances, and a well rounded cast of veterans and young gifted actors who can only improve as they get older. Polanski brings Dickens' novel to life showing the drudgery of 19th century London, and molding together the struggle between the rich and the poor to live in a working society which is a common theme in all of Dickens' work. Definitely a must see, but still a little slow in a few parts, up until Oliver meets Fagin he has little dialogue to help build his character. Kingsley performance as Fagin rivals that of Johnny Depp's Capt. Jack Sparrow, which should be looked at by the Academy for a consideration of Best Supporting-Actor, while the screenplay itself should also be looked at by the Academy for Best Adopted Screenplay.[/font][/b].