Twelve and Holding (2005)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Michael Cuesta

Writer (WGA):

Anthony Cipriano (written by)

Release Date:

7 July 2006 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Do You Know Who Your Kids Are?

Plot:

After his twin brother is accidentally killed by vengeful bullies, a disfigured 12-year old boy and his friends face the harsh realities of death, hormones, and family dysfunction. |

Plot Keywords:

Death | 12 Year Old | Friend | Twin | School

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Conor Donovan	...	Jacob / Rudy Carges
Jesse Camacho	...	Leonard Fisher
Zoe Weizenbaum	...	Malee Chuang
Jeremy Renner	...	Gus Maitland
Annabella Sciorra	...	Carla Chuang
Jayne Atkinson	...	Ashley Carges
Linus Roache	...	Jim Carges
Marcia DeBonis	...	Grace Fisher
Tom McGowan	...	Patrick Fisher
Michael C. Fuchs	...	Kenny (as Michael Fuchs)
Martin Campetta	...	Jeff
Joseph Foster	...	Keith Gardner (as Joseph 'C.J.' Foster)
Max Miner	...	Tommy
Noelle 'Parker' Present	...	Haley Fisher
Jessica Sorto	...	Sara Fisher

Also Known As:

12 and Holding (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence and sexual content involving minors, and for language.

Runtime:

Chile:90 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Sweden:11 | Ireland:15A | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-11 | Australia:MA | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Haledon, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Echo Lake Productions (I)

Goofs:

Continuity: Jacob's birthmark changes in location, size, and color throughout the movie.

Quotes:

Rudy: Our birthday comes once a year and you ask for a hockey mask. You don't even play.
Jacob: Jason from Friday the 13th wears one. He's bad-ass.

Movie Connections:

References Dai-Rantô Smash Brothers Deluxe (2001) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Wired Nights

Don't like Drama's? You do now!

One night, I was on the couch, looking through my "TMN on demand" movie selections, movies A-Z. Looking for good movies to watch on the movie network is tough, considering you don't know what ones are good/recommended and what ones you should entirely stay away from. I watched all of the ones that fit my taste, and one night, I decided to view the movie "Twelve and Holding", hardly knowing anything about it. I'm not really a fan of dramas at all, the "Family Channel" Disney, pretty much ruined them for me, with these lame drama-comedy's such as MVP and cheap independent cartoon type ones. I decided to give it a chance, because I wasn't really in the mood for any action or horror or Comedy's like I usually was. As soon as it passed the dramatic scenes about a brother tragically loosing his life to a Molotov cocktail, I was absorbed into the fascinating character study and couldn't wait to see what happened next in the tale. Many characters with completely different problems are examined in this story, and it ties together nicely with the main plot. Inspiring and heartbreaking moments with truly remarkable well-acted sequences.

The actors often seemed way to real, to me, and instead of feeling like a total wordplay, the writing style was original and refreshing. There is a good amount of subplots in this coming-of-age story and they are studied with well-written dialog, awkward or funny moments and significant captivating motivational characters. This movie isn't nearly as highly acclaimed as I proposed it was going to be, only one nomination? No Oscar nominations? Nothing!? Surely it deserves more observation on a critical side. Consideration, understanding, the dealing of problems, and temptations are pretty much the four key aspects this movie is tackling and trying to make the viewer take into consideration, but people aren't giving it a fighting chance. Speaking of characters, five strong characters are highlighted in this film. Jeremy Renner, who plays Gus, a mislead need-no-sympathy pathetic man who tries to be a clean role model to a little girl, Zoe Weizenbaum who happens to be one of the other lead characters, playing Malee. Jesse Camacho playing Leonard, who has to deal with his overweight family, one of the more motivational and inspirational characters of the film. He is also overweight, but actually is the one who is trying to take action and loose weight. Conor Donovan, another powerful actor from the film, plays two characters, himself and his much more unapproachable and risk-taking brother. Two strong roles too fill, and he does the job. This film tops off with one of the most emotionally charged and satisfying endings I've seen in a drama since a long time.

Highly recommended.

3/4 Stars