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

In both scenes of Dodge sitting in the coffee shop with David, the reflection of the boom mic is clearly visible bobbing in and out at the top of the screen.

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Quotes

David: How can you... how can you live like this, man? It's like gettin' this... it's like gettin' raped for a living.

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Connections

Version of The DuPont Show of the Month: Oliver Twist (1959)

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Soundtracks

"You Strutted and Fretted Across"
Written by Jim Guthrie
Performed by Royal City

User Reviews

lonely boys trying to survive and looking for love and warmth

I've just seen this movie on the IFFRotterdam, and was impressed by the acting performance of Nick Stahl. Also the very good camerawork was a very pleasant surprise. It's quite a dark film, not only because it's a film about hustling boys, but also most of the film is shot in darker periods of the day, and i found it really well shot and well use of the diafragma of the camera. The story it's self was nothing special because it's based on Oliver Twist, but with a modern touch. The performances of the actors made it really worthwhile. Nick Stahl is a actor of a kind i expect to last long, and will be able move ahead in his career. He alone is worth viewing this film, very convincing, the way he walks, his look into the camera, his emotion when he has to do his brother....go and see it