Brittany Byrnes Movies
Based on the true story of a youth from Brisbane, Australia, who overcame family dysfunction to become a world-class athlete, director Russell Mulcahy's drama centers on young Tony Fingleton's (Jesse Spencer) relationship with his distant father, Harold (Geoffrey Rush), and the dedication it took to win his respect. Born into a large family and convinced by his father that he will never amount to the achievements of his brothers, Tony attempts to win his father's respect by becoming a champion swimmer. Despite his best efforts to please his father, Tony also begins to realize his own self-worth in the process. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, (more)
- 2001
The Australian adventure series Escape of the Artful Dodger helpfully provided answers to questions unwittingly posed by Charles Dickens in his classic novel Oliver Twist, such as: Whatever happened to resourceful preteen pickpocket Jack Dawkins, aka the Artful Dodger, after Fagin's gang of thieves had been broken up? According to this series, Jack Dawkins (Luke O'Loughlin) was arrested and transported to Australia for a seven-year sentence. Hoping to make up for past discretions, Jack became something of a junior crusader for justice, though his methods were still on the underhanded side. In a Dickens-ian coincidence, young Oliver Twist (Rowan Witt) had also relocated to Australia, in order to learn the "family business" on behalf of his grandfather, Mr. Brownlow. Reunited with his old pal Jack, Oliver naturally accompanied "the Dodger" in his various thrilling adventures. The first of 13 half-hour episodes of Escape of the Artful Dodger was seen on September 17, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
