Oliver Twist (2005)

Roman Polanski directed this classy, elegant, and seemingly faithful adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel (I haven't read it). It's a very satisfying film, though seems strangely impersonal considering the director. I can't fault the filmmaking, nor the acting -- Ben Kingsley's Fagin is particularly compelling -- but unfortunately it manages to remain just this side of greatness. I'm at least relieved that the film was not at all disappointing as so many other films this year from noteworthy directors have been. Polanski's film neither disappoints nor transcends, it is a faithfully satisfying literary adaptation.