CERT: 12 / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (SKY CINEMA)
There is somewhat of a knack to bringing modern feelings to classic stories. When it goes well, the results can be ever so charming (see Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield), when it doesn’t, well, you get King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. However, it is even more difficult to go the whole hog and actually take a classic story or character and bring it into the modern day entirely, though not impossible (as TV’s Sherlock has shown). Twist attempts just that with Charles Dickens’ 1938 novel Oliver Twist.
Starring Rafferty Law (here credited as Raff Law) as young streetsmart Oliver (better known as ‘Twist’), the film sees the lonely lad noticed by a group of young people who carry out jobs for (and live with) a man known as Fagin (Michael Caine), and they are about to plan their biggest one yet, but the stakes begin to spiral out of control for all involved.
Some will undoubtedly scoff that the very idea of a modern Oliver Twist, taking Dickens’ material and making a Brit heist caper out of it. Gender swapping numerous characters and putting a contemporary spin on the story and themes. But despite the seriously iffy reviews this Sky Original production has received, you could do far, far worse than spend 88 minutes in the company of director Martin Owen’s little flick.
It is obviously nowhere near a match for some of the material that inspired it, from the source novel to that Kingsman action kick, but the cast is infectious in the fun they are having together in this well meaning modern update. Sally Collett, Martin Owen and John Wrathall’s script does pull out some (ahem) twists and while they are foreseeable and at times a bit much, the film keeps on running, like these parkouring kids along the London rooftops. There is warm camaraderie among the characters, a youthful charisma innate in the story and an energy that keeps the film and its barmy thievery antics engaging.
Caine is naturally an ever watchable veteran core to the film, showing the young ‘uns how it’s done (even with knowingly dodgy disguises – and accents – thrown in), and he’s well opposed by a sadistic Lena Headey as Sikes. Though the young leads make a good accounting of themselves with likeable turns by Rita Ora as Dodge, Franz Drameh as Batesey and Sophie Simnett as Red. Though the film is obviously the first star vehicle for Raff Law, who has some shaky lines but cuts an appealing lead figure, with a connectable backstory. There are differing levels of support offered by Noel Clarke, David Walliams and Leigh ‘Keith Lemon’ Francis! Admittedly a couple of those latter names may make or break it for you though.
It ain’t a masterpiece and cannot escape the feeling of seasonally unleashed Sky One drama special at points but if you are willing to give it a chance, these kids keep us wanting some more for the entirety of the sprightly running time.
