Twist (2003)

16% of critics liked it
(31 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(1,392 ratings)

After countless faithful translations to the big screen -- not to mention one timeless, Oscar-winning musical version -- Charles Dickens' tale of downtrodden London youth is given a gritty, contemporary spin in this independent Canadian production. This time told from the point of view of the Artful… More After countless faithful translations to the big screen -- not to mention one timeless, Oscar-winning musical version -- Charles Dickens' tale of downtrodden London youth is given a gritty, contemporary spin in this independent Canadian production. This time told from the point of view of the Artful Dodger, Twist transposes the story of Oliver Twist to modern-day Toronto, where Dodge (Nick Stahl) is a smack-addicted male hustler working the streets when he comes across foster-home runaway Oliver (Joshua Close). The two strike up a fast friendship and Dodge makes the boy his apprentice, introducing him to a world of drugs, prostitution, and squalid, rent-free living, overseen by the formidable pimp Fagin (Gary Farmer). But Oliver finds his loyalties torn between his nascent attraction to Dodge and his son-like affection for Nancy (Michèle-Barbara Pelletier), the girlfriend of and pusher for the powerful drug dealer Bill Sykes. Written and directed by former child actor Jacob Tierney (The Neon Bible), Twist first made its appearance on the festival scene at the 2003 Venice and Toronto fests. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Jacob Tierney
Written By: Jacob Tierney
Genres: Drama, Gay & Lesbian

In Theaters: May 21, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Oct 19, 2004
Studio: Strand Releasing

Critic Reviews

Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News
The only thing funny about Twist is how seriously it takes its own pompous preposterousness.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
The movie's far too stagy and pretentious.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
Cuaron ran into trouble by being overly faithful to Dickens' story, changing almost nothing except the setting.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Apart from the somewhat novel conceit of turning Dickens into the stuff of a Gus Van Sant picture (see My Own Private Idaho), there's nothing original, nor compelling, about Twist.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Ultimately more unsavory than enlightening, and would have benefited from a more humorous approach to its purloined themes.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Not much happens in Twist, apart from a dismal series of personal degradations, each more depressing than the last.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
My memory may be a little vague on this one, but I don't recall any incest scenes in the original Oliver Twist
Jon Popick, Planet Sick-Boy
This would make Dickens suicidal, probably in more than one way.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
One of the glummest recent attempts to drag a classic story into the 21st century.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
A surprisingly deep, dramatic twist on an old melodrama.
David Noh, Film Journal International
A joyless series of shooting-up scenes.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
Unrelenting in its tragedy, this movie should come with a major bummer warning or something to help you recover from the haunting images. The story is a little thin at times.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Isn't without interest, but overall it's more an earnest attempt than a successful accomplishmrent.
David N. Butterworth, Movie Boeuf
There's nothing here a handful of show-stopping production numbers -- or a good steam cleaning -- couldn't fix.
John A. Nesbit, ToxicUniverse.com
transforming the ending into a more realistic outcome doesn't make this provocative arthouse fare
Angela Baldassarre, Sympatico.ca
Exceptional performances and effective raw moments, but too sordid for enjoyment.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

A very interesting modern "twist" on the Dickens classic. Very dark, very emotional and (best of all) no precocious children. Not without it's flaws, but all in all a decent production.

Cast

Nick Stahl
as Dodge
Joshua Close
as Oliver
Gary Farmer
as Fagin

See full cast

Twist (2003)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

Cast