In its original form and as adaptive material, Oliver Twist has remained wildly, if predictably, prevalent to this day, so seeing continual takes on the infamous Dickens novel can be both exhausting and appealing. The way great filmmakers can wring new themes from a two-century-old book makes the medium so magical, and even if Star Network’s The Artful Dodger is not the best show of the year, it certainly is fun and surprisingly good quality. For those who can handle an immersive new appearance of this classic character, The Artful Dodger will stand out for its blend of universal humor, drama, and period-piece attraction.
‘The Artful Dodger’ Premise
The titular character has not known the name “the Artful Dodger” for years. A good while after his childhood in London, Jack Hawkins finishes his tour with the Navy and lands in the Australian colony, where he starts work as a surgeon. All is well until an old acquaintance surfaces in Jack’s life, tempting the now-credible young man back into his past life as a criminal.
Even When ‘The Artful Dodger’ Falters, The Actors Save the Day
Given its premise as a sequel to Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger is just what you would hope it to be: kinetic, fun, and sometimes nasty for the sake of humor, all fused with drama that does not take itself too seriously. In other words, this debuting series might not sweep you off your feet, but it is frequently a vigorous bit of fantasy and a lot better than expected. Not all of the story arcs throughout the eight episodes pay off, but judging based on the overall feel of The Artful Dodger‘s brisk thrills, the series is an all-around delight.
This classic shake-up loosens its grip only when abandoning its dark humor in favor of confining its post-Dickens material into stereotypes. For example, the love interest character, though instantly likable as a strong-willed modern woman, loses credibility by becoming one-note as the romance feels shoehorned in. David Thewlis, easily the best and most recognizable actor here, always rights the ship by nailing the tone that creator James McNamara and The Clearing director Jeffrey Walker hoped to achieve throughout. When the creators cannot juggle the pieces effectively enough, Thewlis’ transportive performance brings the Dickens send-up back to life.
David Thewlis in ‘The Artful Dodger’
Easy Engagement Leads to Enjoyment on ‘The Artful Dodger’
Considering the source material and the current trends of classic adaptations, The Artful Dodger could easily have been dire, drab, and dreary in an overkill effort to match the novel’s destitute setting. Instead, balancing visual brightness and an exciting tone, this series stands out in a sea of updated period features. Though a dash of knowledge about the plot of Oliver Twist might make The Artful Dodger a bit more emotionally rich, this is fresh period entertainment all on its own.
The Artful Dodger is streaming now on Hulu.