Twist (2021 film)

Last updated

Twist
Twist 2021.jpg
Film poster
Directed byMartin Owen
Screenplay by
  • Sally Collett
  • Martin Owen
  • John Wrathall
Based on Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHåvard Helle
Music byNeil Athale
Production
companies
  • Blue Rider
  • Lipsync Productions
  • MEP Capital
  • Particular Crowd
  • Pure Grass Films
  • Future Artists Entertainment
  • Red Bull Media House
Distributed by Sky Cinema
Release date
  • 29 January 2021 (2021-01-29)
Running time
88 minutes [1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$509,904

Twist is a 2021 British crime drama film directed by Martin Owen and co-produced by Noel Clarke and Jason Maza, who also stars in the film. The film, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist , stars Rafferty Law, Michael Caine, Noel Clarke, Lena Headey, Rita Ora and Sophie Simnett. Twist was released on Sky Cinema on 29 January 2021 and was met with negative reception from critics. [2]

Contents

Plot

A thief named Tom steals an envelope from a safe and escapes from guards, but is thrown off a building by an unseen assailant. The envelope is stolen while Tom is left to die.

Years before, a boy named Oliver lived with his mother Molly and their hobby was painting. After Molly dies from unknown causes, Oliver runs away scared due to not knowing anyone else. He teaches himself to free run and gets the nickname "Twist". One day while graffiti spraying on a traffic warden's van, the police chase him and he meets Dodge and Batesey (The Artful Dodger and Charles Bates). They escape to their den near the Truman Brewery where Twist meets Fagin, their carer. The next morning, Twist draws a giant graffiti painting on a building. Fagin sends Red (Nancy Lee) to invite Twist (who is smitten with her) to his for dinner. Meanwhile, Fagin meets with a friend of his named Sikes (Bill Sikes) revealing she pushed Chitling. Twist stays with the family and Fagin reveals his plan to steal from art dealer Dr. Crispin Losberne who took everything from Fagin. They then steal his phone and Batesey makes a copy. Meanwhile, Red, as a distraction, asks to be an intern for Losberne, so the next day Fagin gets the blueprints to Losberne's gallery. Twist meets Sikes and her dog Bull's-Eye. Fagin explains that Losberne once went into partnership with a Mr. Issac Solomon who Losberne also betrayed.

Red plants a small bomb in Losberne's bathroom to steal a lost painting by William Hogarth. The bomb floods the basement and causes the painting to have to be moved. Back at base, Twist finds out that Red and Sikes are a couple upsetting him. At a pub, Red appears and Sikes’ goons attack the group while Dodge plays Ever Fallen In Love in the jukebox. Twist and Red escape to a pool where the two kiss and run through the park. Twist is arrested by the traffic warden from earlier and is interrogated by Detectives Brownlow and Bedwin who tell him about Chitling. Twist is let free and gets back to base. Batesey is planning to get in a box to steal the painting while it's on the move but because he's claustrophobic, Twist switches places with him.

Losberne finds out about the thieves and this causes Twist to fall out the van. Sikes picks Batesey up and apparently kills him. Twist gets back to base and asks "What happened to Tom Chitling?" and Sikes reveals that she killed Tom. Fagin makes a plan to break into the auction building. Disguised, the group sneak in and Fagin plants a gun in Losberne's chair. This causes a big evacuation. Twist steals the painting and escapes with Dodge. Batesey, who is still alive, reveals that Sikes tried to kill him and meets them at the base where Twist reveals he made a duplicate of the painting and has hidden the real one. He and Red escape and Sikes shoots Fagin. She then chases them to a rooftop and is shot by Fagin and falls off the building.

A week later, Twist meets Bedwin and Brownlow at a café and leaves them the envelope and a key. He then calls Brownlow hinting that the painting was right next to them the whole time. The envelope reveals the true owners of the painting and the key leads them to a locker owned by Losberne (who is arrested) which houses many stolen artwork. Fagin is revealed to be Issac Solomon and leaves the gang. It's also revealed that when Twist was in the van, he snuck a painting by his mother and it goes on display at the National Gallery.

The film ends with Twist telling the gang to stop stealing and start selling paintings while he and Red start a relationship.

Cast

Production

It was announced in October 2019 that a new take on the Charles Dickens novel had begun filming, with Raff Law cast to play the titular Twist. Michael Caine was cast as Fagin, with Lena Headey and Rita Ora cast as female renditions of Bill Sikes and Artful Dodger, respectively. David Walliams, Franz Drameh and Sophie Simnett were also cast. [3] [4]

The film was produced by Pure Grass Films, along with Unstoppable Film and Television, and First Access Entertainment Film and Television.[ citation needed ] The UK-based company Koala FX was responsible for the digital make up and advance clean up. [5]

Music

Twist (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Neil Athale
ReleasedApril 30, 2021
Length41:28
Label Twist Entertainment Ltd
MovieScore Media
Producer Tom Linden
Neil Athale chronology
Built To Be
(2019)
Twist (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2021)
N/A

Ora wrote a song for the film entitled “Flame”. The soundtrack was composed by Neil Athale and produced by Tom Linden who also wrote a song for the film (credited as TL) alongside Laura Greaves entitled “Get Back Up”.

No.TitleLength
1."Let’s Twist"2:05
2."What Does Oliver See?"2:49
3."Fagin In Disguise"1:21
4."Twist Meets The Gang"1:46
5."I Can Go Anywhere"1:38
6."Complications"1:42
7."Fagin's Backstory"2:11
8."Do You Want Some More?"2:09
9."Twist and Red Have a Date"2:25
10."Red and Losberne’s Date"3:13
11."Heist at the Auction House"3:23
12."Sikes Looses Control."1:28
13."Nighttime Interrogations"3:54
14."Bomb Confusion"1:55
15."The Getaway"2:25
16."Rooftops Showdown"4:33
17."Get Back Up (performed by TL and featuring Laura Greaves)"2:22
Total length:41:28

Release

Sky Cinema distributed the film within the United Kingdom, with Saban Films distributing within North America. Originally, the film was set for a 2020 release. [6] However, the film was pushed to 2021. It was released on 29 January. [7] The Vaccines’ unreleased song Wanderlust from their 5th LP Back In Love City was played during the trailer.

Novel

Tom Grass at Pure Grass Films released a novelisation based on the film but has more adult content.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 9% score, based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 3.40/10. Its critic consensus reads, "The real Twist in this lunkheaded Dickens update is the involvement of Michael Caine, who hopefully got another terrific house out of it." [8] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave it two stars out of five, saying that 'the action and comedy are under par'. [9] Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent gave it one out of five stars, writing, 'With its hectic pace and textbook needle drops – The Fratellis' "Chelsea Dagger" makes an appearance – Twist never really functions as much more than another Guy Ritchie homage.' [10]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
2022
Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel Twist (Rap remake of Oliver Twist )Nominated [11]
Worst Screenplay Written by Sally Collett and John Wrathall;
Additional Material by Tom Grass, Kevin Lehane, Michael Lindley and Matthew Parkhill;
From an "Original Idea" by David T. Lynch, Keith Lynch and Simon Thomas
Nominated

Related Research Articles

<i>Oliver Twist</i> 1837–1839 novel by Charles Dickens

Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress, is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens. It was originally published as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and as a three-volume book in 1838. The story follows the titular orphan, who, after being raised in a workhouse, escapes to London, where he meets a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin, discovers the secrets of his parentage, and reconnects with his remaining family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artful Dodger</span> Fictional character from the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist

Jack Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger, is a character in Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist. The Dodger is a pickpocket and his nickname refers to his skill and cunning in that occupation. In the novel, he is the leader of the gang of child criminals on the streets of London trained and overseen by the elderly Fagin. The term has become an idiom describing a person who engages in skillful deception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Sikes</span> Fictional character in the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

William "Bill" Sikes is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Sikes is a malicious criminal in Fagin's gang, and a vicious robber and murderer. Throughout much of the novel Sikes is shadowed by his “bull-terrier” dog Bull's-eye.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1999 TV series) 1999 television series produced by ITV

Oliver Twist is a 1999 drama serial produced by ITV based on the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1997 film) 1997 television movie produced by Walt Disney Television

Oliver Twist is a 1997 American made-for-television film based on Charles Dickens's 1838 novel of the same title. The film was directed by Tony Bill, written by Monte Merrick and Stephen Sommers, and produced by Walt Disney Television. It stars Richard Dreyfuss, Elijah Wood, David O'Hara, and Alex Trench as the titular character.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (2005 film) 2005 drama film directed by Roman Polanski

Oliver Twist is a 2005 drama film directed by Roman Polanski. The screenplay by Ronald Harwood adapts Charles Dickens's 1838 novel of the same name. It is an international co-production of the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, France and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr Brownlow</span> Fictional character in Oliver Twist

Mr Brownlow is a character from the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Brownlow is a bookish and kindly middle-aged bachelor who helps Oliver escape the clutches of Fagin. He later adopts Oliver Twist by the end of the novel.

<i>Oliver!</i> (film) 1968 British musical drama film

Oliver! is a 1968 British period musical drama film based on Lionel Bart's 1960 stage musical of the same name, itself an adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1922 film) 1922 film

Oliver Twist is a 1922 American silent drama film adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist, featuring Lon Chaney as Fagin and Jackie Coogan as Oliver Twist. The film was directed by Frank Lloyd. It was selected as one of the best pictures of 1922 by New York Times, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Walter J. Israel handled the costuming. Studio interiors were filmed at the Robert Brunton Studios in Hollywood. The film's tagline was "8 Great Reels that make you ask for more. Will Hays says Jackie Coogan Films are the sort the World needs." A still exists showing Fagin training his wards to be pickpockets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fagin</span> Fictional character in Oliver Twist

Fagin is a fictional character and the secondary antagonist in Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist. In the preface to the novel, he is described as a "receiver of stolen goods". He is the leader of a group of children whom he teaches to make their livings by pickpocketing and other criminal activities, in exchange for shelter. A distinguishing trait is his constant and insincere use of the phrase "my dear" when addressing others. At the time of the novel, he is said by another character, Monks, to have already made criminals out of "scores" of children. Nancy, who is the lover of Bill Sikes, is confirmed to be Fagin's former pupil.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (2007 TV series) 2007 British television series

Oliver Twist is a 2007 British television adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Coky Giedroyc. It consists of five episodes, broadcast on BBC One from 18 to 22 December 2007. It aired on PBS' Masterpiece Classic in the United States on 15 and 22 February 2009, in two ninety-minute installments. In Australia, ABC1 also opted to air this series as a two-part special each Sunday at 8:30 pm from 20 December 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Twist (character)</span> Title character and the protagonist of the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Oliver Twist is the title character and protagonist of the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. He was the first child protagonist in an English novel.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1982 TV film) 1982 television film directed by Clive Donner

Oliver Twist is a 1982 American-British made-for-television film adaptation of the 1838 Charles Dickens classic of the same name, premiering on the CBS television network as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Stars include George C. Scott, Tim Curry, Cherie Lunghi, and Richard Charles as Oliver, in his first major film role.

Monks (<i>Oliver Twist</i>) Character in Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist

Edward "Monks" Leeford is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. He is actually the criminally-inclined half-brother of Oliver Twist, but he hides his identity. Monks' parents separated when he was a child, and his father had a relationship with a young woman, Agnes Fleming. This resulted in Agnes' pregnancy. She died in childbirth after giving birth to the baby that would be named Oliver Twist.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1985 TV serial) British TV series or programme

Oliver Twist is a 1985 BBC TV serial. It was produced by Terrance Dicks, directed by Gareth Davies, and adapted by Alexander Baron from the 1838 novel by Charles Dickens. This version follows the book more closely than any of the other film adaptions.

Las Aventuras de Oliver Twist is a 1987 Spanish-language animated film directed by Fernando Ruiz. It is based on the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pure Grass Films</span>

Pure Grass Films is a British independent production company that specialises in digital entertainment series, feature films and television series.

Ben Grass is a British Film producer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of film and television production company Pure Grass Films.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1962 TV serial) British TV series or programme

Oliver Twist is a 1962 BBC TV adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist, serialised in 13 episodes. Due in part to its transmission at Sunday teatimes, the production proved to be controversial, with questions asked in Parliament and many viewer complaints over the brutal murder of Nancy by Bill Sikes in its eleventh episode. The serial has survived intact, and was released to DVD in 2017 by Simply Media.

Rafferty “Raff” Law is an English model, musician and actor.

References

  1. "TWIST (12)". BBFC . Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. "How to watch Raff Law and Lena Headey's new movie Twist for FREE". Digital Spy . Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  3. "'Twist': Michael Caine, Lena Headey, Rita Ora & Raff Law Lead Cast In Sky Movie Update Of Charles Dickens Classic". Deadline. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  4. Michael Caine films Twist in London
  5. "Twist". Koala FX. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  6. Saban Films Lands Right To 'Twist' Starring Michael Caine & Lena Headey
  7. "Oliver Twist gets a modern reimagining in trailer for Twist". Flickering Myth. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  8. "Twist (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  9. "Twist review – try-hard reboot spray paints over Dickens' tale". TheGuardian.com . 27 January 2021.
  10. "Twist is a bungled take on Charles Dickens – review". Independent.co.uk . 28 January 2021.
  11. Lewis, Hilary (7 February 2022). "Razzies: Filmed Version of 'Diana' Stage Musical Tops 2022 Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 February 2022.