Post Description

2003, 97 min
Country:  US 
Studio :  Strand Releasing 
Cast:  Nick Stahl, Gary Farmer, Joshua Close, James Gilpin, Josh Holliday, Andre Noble 
Director:  Jacob Tierney 
Screenwriter:  Jacob Tierney 

From Canada comes this dark and queer adaptation of Charles Dickens? ?Oliver Twist.?

Review
Charles Dickens "Oliver Twist" has been uprooted and turned upside down in this dark queer adaptation. Set on the cold winter streets of Toronto, young filmmaker Jacob Tierney has turned the pickpockets into junky/hustlers and Fagin into a pimp. And unlike the inevitable Dickens happy ending, Twist is no picnic. The cast is first-rate, the script and direction assured and the set suitably dark and dreary. Prepare for a rocky ride, there are no rousing musical numbers with boys lined up to get their gruel!

Dodge (Stahl) is an experienced hustler -- he knows the streets and their dangers all too well. One night he picks up the sweet Oliver, a runaway who he introduces to hustling and his way of life. Oliver has an immediate crush on Dodge so he follows the fellow right into the hands of Fagin and his never-seen boss, the much-feared Bill. Even though this "family" has its obvious share of problems, they seem a lot better than the series of foster homes Oliver comes from. Expect fine performances from the entire cast, a tight script and outstanding direction from first-timer Jacob Tierney.

Thx Devlin