Python Hyena
Oliver Twist (2005): Dir: Roman Polanski / Cast: Barney Clark, Ben Kingsley, Jamie Foreman, Harry Eden, Leanne Rowe: Another reworking of the Charles Dickens story about an orphan on the run from neglect and abuse. Twist uses survival instincts to escape from a cruel household yet falls within the realm of child thieves headed by an elderly man bent on using him for the same purpose. When he is housed by upper class gentleman who sees beyond the surface Twist finally discovers what love and acceptance is all about. Directed by Roman Polanski in similar fashion to his earlier film The Pianist, also about someone searching for refuge. Barney Clark brings intelligence and charm to the role of Twist who endures brutal hardship but ultimately learns the value of friendship and trust. Ben Kingsley as the youthful gang leader steals the film in his promise of success and delivery of broken trust. Jamie Foreman steals scenes as the villain Sikes whose acts of cruelty knows no boundaries yet consequence ultimately surface. Harry Eden plays the resourceful Artful Dodger. Leanne Rowe plays a young prostitute named Nancy who is in an abusive relationship. Despite its many translations, Polanski succeeds greatly here. Early century beautifully realized with a world that relates in stunning affect to the opening drawing or painting that opens and closes the film. Score: 10 / 10
arminhage
The movie is perfect in every sense. Plays are awesome, production is perfect with attention to smallest details, cast selection is flawless, everyone is in his or her place... but at the end it is just the direct remake of David Lean's 1948 version which was perfect by itself. The movie had no added excitement, like in one of the mini-series based on the novel, Oliver managed o solve his birth mystery and eventually found his true relatives. I don't know if that was the case for the original work but there is no sign of it in this movie, basically it focused on the more dramatic parts of the story rather than more exiting sections. Highly watchable movie but don't expect anything new, can be considered a waste of time somehow but I enjoyed it anyways as I like the original story. Everything is perfect but I can not give more than 5 out of 10 to a direct and unnecessary remake.
Arreis Nitsuga
I think this adaptation is not good. I can take my eyes of it, yes you read it right I CAN. This is what happen when a movie is stuffed with too much tragedy in the story line but dealt with less emotion. The feel does not vibe out of the characters that their performance is basically delivered but not effective and believable. The actors did not have the natural character they need to have in order to play that part. Dodgers was obviously trying hard to be artful that I try to convince myself he is the Artful Dodger, in other words he was not convincing. Oliver possessed the innocent look but not enough begging in his face. When you look at his expression, you cannot 'experience' the tragic. I guess that is what's lacking in this version of Oliver. We were suppose to feel for him even when he is not talking, actually, ESPECIALLY when he is not talking. Bill Sikes is... yikes. He looks fragile in this version that I asked myself is this really an adaptation of Oliver Twist or overly twisted story that the characters start swapping their personality?
kneiss1
This movie simply looks stunning. Set, costumes and camera-work create a beautiful atmosphere. Every actor does a perfect job and fits perfectly into their role. Especially Fagin (Ben Kingsley) has been impressive. He might have become immortal inside cinema history with this performance. All other actors/characters turned pale beside him. So if this movie is flawless, why didn't I give it 10 points? There are a few things that have been done great, but could have been done even better. For example the dog. The dog just didn't have the presence it should have been given. He didn't look scary, nor mystic. The symbolism barely worked in the movie. A better film score might have helped a lot. The music stayed too much in the background and was pretty much never moving. I also found that the first quarter of the movie was quite boring story-wise. But after that the story developed a lot and is totally stirring and interesting.I love dark movies, it's one of the reasons why I liked this movie a lot. It totally doesn't feel like a family movie. Cheerful situations are rare, colors are always dark. This movie might not be to the liking of children and can barely be called a family movie with its pessimistic tone, brutality and darkness.
AD
