Twist (film)
Encyclopedia
Twist is a 2003 Canadian drama film
and a queer retelling of Charles Dickens
' classic, Oliver Twist
.
. In addition, the tale is told not from Oliver's point of view, but rather that of Dodge (Nick Stahl
). The prosaically beautiful Oliver (Joshua Close
) falls into the hands of down-and-out young men. Dodge takes the young man under his wing and instructs him in the unforgiving arts of drug abuse
and prostitution
. As Oliver's innocence dissolves, both young men confront their demons and, strangely, it is Dodge who finds he cannot escape his past.
, with the consensus "Despite of its contemporary setting and some strong performances, this is a bland retelling of Oliver Twist."
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
and a queer retelling of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
' classic, Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
.
Plot
The plot is updated to the present day, and moved out of the London poor house onto the streets of TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. In addition, the tale is told not from Oliver's point of view, but rather that of Dodge (Nick Stahl
Nick Stahl
Nicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
). The prosaically beautiful Oliver (Joshua Close
Joshua Close
Joshua Close is a Canadian actor.-Filmography:*The Pacific as Edward Sledge*The Dead Sleep as Tim*Diary of the Dead as Jason*Full of It as Kyle Plunkett...
) falls into the hands of down-and-out young men. Dodge takes the young man under his wing and instructs him in the unforgiving arts of drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
and prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
. As Oliver's innocence dissolves, both young men confront their demons and, strangely, it is Dodge who finds he cannot escape his past.
Cast
- Nick StahlNick StahlNicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
as Jimmy/Dodge - Joshua CloseJoshua CloseJoshua Close is a Canadian actor.-Filmography:*The Pacific as Edward Sledge*The Dead Sleep as Tim*Diary of the Dead as Jason*Full of It as Kyle Plunkett...
as OliverOliver Twist (character)Oliver Twist is the protagonist of the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. He was the first child protagonist in an English language novel.-Background:... - Gary FarmerGary Farmer- History :Farmer was born in Ohsweken, Ontario into the Cayuga nation and Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee/Iroquois Confederacy. Farmer attended Syracuse University and Ryerson Polytechnic University, where he studied photography and film production....
as FaginFaginFagin is a fictional character who appears as an antagonist of the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, referred to in the preface of the novel as a "receiver of stolen goods", but referred to more frequently within the actual story as the "merry old gentleman" or simply the "Jew".-Character:Born... - Michèle-Barbara Pelletier as Nancy
- Tygh RunyanTygh Runyan-Life and career:Runyan was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. His father is an environmental science professor at the University of British Columbia, and his mother is a poet...
as David - Stephen McHattieStephen McHattieStephen McHattie is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:McHattie was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia....
as Benjamin/The Senator - Moti Yona as Charley
- Brigid Tierney as Betsy
- Andre NobleAndre NobleAndre Clarence Noble was a Canadian television and film actor. He was born in Centreville, Newfoundland and Labrador and studied acting at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador from 1997-2001. He moved to Toronto, Ontario in 2001 to pursue his career in acting...
as Adam - Maxwell McCabe-Lokos as Noah
- Josh Holliday as Morris
- Dave Graham as Buck
- Mike LobelMike LobelMichael Ryan "Mike" Lobel is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:Lobel is the oldest of three siblings. At a young age he began showing interest in music and visual arts which drew him to Etobicoke School of the Arts. He attended ESA from 1998 to 2003, first majoring in music then later switching...
as Bully
Reception
Twist currently holds a 16% 'Fresh' rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, with the consensus "Despite of its contemporary setting and some strong performances, this is a bland retelling of Oliver Twist."
See also
- Oliver TwistOliver TwistOliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
- Twisted, a 1997 Seth Michael DonskySeth Michael DonskySeth Michael Donsky is an American filmmaker screenwriter and journalist.-Biography:Donsky was born in Champaign, Illinois to Aaron Donsky and Wendy Arbit. He was raised by his mother and stepfather James Hite in Riverside, CA and currently lives in New York...
similarly conceived film. - Sugar, a 2004 film with a similar plot.