0
0
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Oliver Twist has been around for a long time. The Charles Dickens story has been made into many movies or TV shows. My personal favorite is Oliver and Company from Disney Animation Studios. How can you not love Billy Joel on some songs and having animals as the title characters? That is my personal opinion. I even think that the Muppets made an Oliver Twist film. In any case, one of Dickens’ best works is the story of a young boy who asks for more food and ends up with a group of thieves to find a home. I was very skeptical of this film. If you read any of my previous reviews, I am not a fan of musicals. If it is straight song, song, song, I get freakin bored. I can hang with a musical if there is some major dialogue. Since I just watched My Fair Lady and enjoyed that, I wanted to see what Oliver was about. All I remember was the whole, “Please, sir, I want some more.”
Oliver was directed by Carol Reed, based on Lionel Bart’s stage musical of the same name and adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist. Set in Victorian England, Oliver (Lester) is a boy who works in a workhouse orphanage. While the boys get some nasty ass soup, the supervisors eat some of that good, good food. Some of the boys draw lots during mealtime, and Oliver gets the short end of the stick. He walks up the Mr. Bumble (Secombe) and asks for more food. Oliver is soon sold to the highest bidder. He ends up with a mortician, only to be kicked out. Oliver dips out and decides to go to London. In London, he meets the Artful Dodger (Wild), who takes him under his wing. Dodger brings Oliver to his hideout for young pickpockets led by Fagin (Moody), who instructs the gang in the act of stealing. Oliver meets many of the boys, and during one day of pickpocketing, he is mistaken for a thief and arrested. During the trial, he manages to end up in the loving care of Mr. Brownlow (O’Conor). Olivier soon finds the love he craved, but the crew and evil Bill Sikes (Reed) want to bring him back into the fold.
If you have read my past reviews, I always say that I am not a fan of musicals. Every time I review a musical, I say how much I enjoy it. I want to officially put on record that I HIGHLY enjoyed Oliver. I have seen many adaptations of the story, but this one was fun to watch from the storyline, characters, acting, and most importantly, the songs. Each one of these aspects brings this musical to life. I see why it won Best picture because if one of them fails, the whole movie would fail. Once again, I highly enjoyed this film.
I like how the story is told in parts. The first part is Oliver in a very shitty situation. He works in a sweatshop or orphanage and eats nothing but soup. Dude can’t get some meat. When he asks for more food, people look at him strangely and berate him. It’s crazy that they sell him off like some slave rather than give him more food. He works in a funeral home, dislikes how he is treated, and rebels. This showed that maybe there is no love in the world. Damn people! Now the second part of the film is what I consider the best of the whole movie. Oliver walks all the way to London and meets a crew of pickpocketers. He learns to steal, but you can tell he has such an innocent and sweet soul that he can’t do it. I love this section because it has all the best songs and entertainment. You have a thrilling chase scene. The court scene is hilarious because Oliver looks like he is about to pass out, and the judge is straight up drunk or doesn’t care. Yet Oliver finally finds some love and hope. Also, Nancy is straight up where it’s at. The third part of the story is the most violent. You have death, tears, love, and the works all rolled up in one.
With a musical, you have to talk about the songs. Even though all the songs are good, there are two; specifically, I want to talk about. The first one is not my favorite, but I highly enjoyed it. The song is “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two.” This song is sung when Dodger brings Oliver to a hideout for young pickpockets led by Fagin. Fagin teaches the gain, the art of stealing, and how to get back. The song is fun and entertaining as Fagin shows how things are done.
Now my all-time favorite song and the one I’ve been whistling a lot is “I’d Do Anything.” This song is a banger and will make you want to sing it to the one you love. When the beautiful Nancy and her friend come by, Oliver is smitten. The boys tease Oliver about his manners, but Nancy finds them lovely. Dodger states he can be just as gentlemanly as Oliver. The song is great because the boys set up a makeshift carriage and ride around; as Dodger states, he will do anything. I’m telling you, this is a banger wedding song.
As I said, the cast is phenomenal and keeps this film entertaining. They all need to be applauded for their performance. Mark Lester as Oliver was good. He displayed Oliver as a quiet boy who didn’t talk much but wanted to find a home. Ron Moody as Fagin was outstanding. He seemed to have fun with this role and be a joy as a master thief. Shani Wallis as Nancy was lovely. I would love to just hear her speak to me. She also was the caring one who wanted Oliver to find a home. She was the voice of reason. No lie, Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes was freakin scary. I was creeped out when he stood in the shadows when he first appeared. Reed was INTENSE as Bill. He seemed to never smile and was an evil person. He only cared about himself and killed anyone who got in his way. Finally, Jack Wild as Artful Dodger was by far the best character. You see homeboy’s top hat. That was a high-quality top hat. Wild seemed so cool and in his element as the right-hand man of Fagin. Also, he sings the best song in the whole movie.
Oliver is a great film that is enjoyable and fun to watch. The story has been adapted many times, and there is probably another version you like. This one is great as the cast and characters bring this movie to life. Some songs are great, but it’s all about “I’d Do Anything.” When you have a musical weekend, definitely add this to your list.
