kevita

Warner Bros released this onto video as part of a very uneven collection of animated movies that ranged from the exquisite Watership Down to the stylized Hobbit, and the dissappointing Nutcracker. This is probably the worst in the series.

Actually this has got to be the worst adaptation of Oliver Twist available from the many film, miniseries, and television adaptations that have been done. From the cheap, flat animation, to the tuneless songs and drab color palate - there is nothing to enjoy here. The voices (especially songs) frequently have harsh American accents in what is supposed to be London in the mid 1800's. What voices that do have accents are stereotypes with the possible excpetion of Davy Jones from the Monkees who has the right accent but for a singer can't seem to give anything at all with an already uninspired song. The storyline is partially faithfull to the book, but minus any interest or excitement. Bizarre touches such as giving Oliver a sachrine pet frog with a pink collar and a penchant for providing comedy bits at odd moments, and giving Fagan a pet vulture, bat, and crow to mug and misbehave when meaner story bits need attending, provide a strange counterpoint to what should be a very dark story. Oliver Twist isn't really a children's book and was written with an adult audience in mind. This attempt to turn it into Disneyesque Cinderella story is sachrine and uninspired. If you must look for a children's version of this story try the Coles Notes musical version Oliver! or the animated Oliver and Company (that inexplicably makes them all dogs, but still manages to entertain). Avoid this at all costs!

The mistake most often made when approaching a Neil Simon piece is the thought-line "if Simon wrote it - it must be a comedy". LOST IN YONKERS like THE GINGERBREAD LADY (filmed as ONLY WHEN I LAUGH) is most certainly not a comedy - not that it's not funny. What it is is a heartbreaking story about two brothers who by circumstance end up in the care of their severe Grandmother. Thanks to the powers that be - both Mercedes Ruehl and Irene Worth reprise thier stage roles in the film. Both won the Tony for the stage. Both deserved and Oscar for the film. There are several funny bits amidst this disfunctional family fest - and some very tender moments as well. I highly recommend it - just don't sit down with a bucket of popcorn and expect THE ODD COUPLE. Simon's writing has matured far beyond those days and is rich and wonderful.

I liked this movie - though I was surprised to read the novel and find it very very different. Bernadette Peters is very funny and endearing. My only problem is that this is nearly the exact same character she played onstage in SONG AND DANCE (won a Tony for it) except the girl is American, not British. Lower the boom!