Twist (2003)

A queer "Oliver Twist" update set in the hustler district of modern-day Toronto.

Director:

Jacob Tierney

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), Jacob Tierney

Stars:

Nick Stahl, Gary Farmer, Stephen McHattie

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Stahl	...	Dodge
Gary Farmer	...	Fagin
Stephen McHattie	...	The Senator
Tygh Runyan	...	David
Brigid Tierney	...	Betsy
Moti Yona	...	Charley
Michèle-Barbara Pelletier	...	Nancy
Joshua Close	...	Oliver
Maxwell McCabe-Lokos	...	Noah (as Max McCabe)
Andre Noble	...	Adam
James Gilpin	...	Aide
Josh Holliday	...	Morris
Mike Lobel	...	Bully
Michael Ripley	...	John
Caroline Sura	...	Girl

Storyline

A gay re-telling of Charles Dickens' classic Oliver Twist. Updated to current times, moved out of the poor house and onto the streets, the tale is told from the point of Dickens' character, Artful Dodger--now Dodge. The prosaically beautiful Oliver falls into the hands of down-and-out young men. Dodge takes the young man under his wing and instructs him in the unforgiving arts of drug abuse and prostitution. As Oliver's innocence dissolves, both young men confront inner and outer demons and, strangely, it is Dodge who finds he cannot escape his past.

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Plot Keywords:

innocence | hustler | drugs | gay | prostitution | 

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Taglines:

Boys do what boys must!

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing sexual content, drug use, language and some violence

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 2005 (France)

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Victorious Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

At the end of the film, Dodge pays a visit to Bill's place. His face is ravaged from the mugging of the previous evening. When he comes out of the house, his face shows no signs of the damage that was present when he entered the house.

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Quotes

Dodge: [finding Oliver on the sofa] Get outta my bed, blondie.
Oliver: No, I thought you could sleep in the bed tonight.
Dodge: You don't mind sleepin' on the coach?
Oliver: No, I thought we could both sleep in the bed.
Dodge: No.
Oliver: It's big enough.
Dodge: Oliver, no.
Oliver: I just don't wanna sleep by myself tonight.
Dodge: It's not gonna happen. It's a bad idea. Trust me. Go, get in bed; go to sleep; I'll see ya in the morning.
Oliver: I'm glad you were with me tonight. Thanks.
[...]

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Connections

References Perry Mason: The Case of the Twice Told Twist (1966)

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Soundtracks

"Pantaloon In Black"
Performed by Michèle-Barbara Pelletier
composed by Ron Proulx and Jacob Tierney

User Reviews

knipp is knuts

I just read the review of TWIST by this knut knipp and I would advise him to stick to mainstream movies, dude go check out the new spidey movie, it rocks! Twist is no fun movie, but being a teenage male hustler is no fun thing either, unless you have a rich sugar daddy willing to take care of you. And i have known a few guys in that situation. But I guess if you're in Toronto, things can't get much worse, but a bus to LA would be a welcome change. I really don't see why the writer/director used Oliver Twist as a plot guide, it really is sort of absurd. A movie on hustling in bleak Canada doesn't need a "fagen" or an "oliver" to make it work. The performance by Nick Stahl is truly astounding, this guy is a great actor and could give the young River Phoenix a run for his money. There is no happy ending, like there was in the original Oliver, but I suppose Dickens had to keep his publisher/editor happy and the books had to sell. Actually he was the equivalent to today's Disney movies, where such banal exercises as Holes, has to conclude with everyone living happily ever after. If you like niche movies and are not into the general crap that comes out of Hollywood, then i say check out Twist.