Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist

Movie spotlight

Oliver Twist

2005
Movie
130 min
English

When 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask his cruel taskmaster, Mr. Bumble, for a second serving of gruel, he's hired out as an apprentice. Escaping that dismal fate, young Oliver falls in with the street urchin known as the Artful Dodger and his criminal mentor, Fagin. When kindly Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver in, Fagin's evil henchman Bill Sikes plots to kidnap the boy.

Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users83%
Director: Roman PolanskiGenres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

A young orphan, Oliver Twist, escapes a cruel workhouse and finds himself drawn into the London underworld. He falls in with a gang of pickpockets led by the cunning Fagin and his vicious associate Bill Sikes. Despite the harsh realities of his new life, Oliver clings to his innocence and hopes for a better future, eventually discovering a connection to a kind and wealthy benefactor.

Critical Reception

Roman Polanski's adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel received generally positive reviews, with many critics praising its visual style and performances, particularly Ben Kingsley as Fagin. Some found it to be a faithful but perhaps less emotionally resonant adaptation compared to previous versions, though its dark and gritty portrayal of Victorian London was widely appreciated.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually impressive and well-acted, especially by Ben Kingsley.

  • A grim and atmospheric adaptation that captures the darkness of Dickens' London.

  • Competent, but lacks the emotional depth of some earlier interpretations.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's visual presentation and strong performances, particularly Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Fagin. While some found it to be a faithful adaptation, others felt it didn't quite capture the emotional core of the story as effectively as previous versions.

Fun Fact

Roman Polanski initially cast his daughter, Morgane Polanski, as the Artful Dodger, but she was replaced by Harry Eden before filming began.

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