MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Down 2,702 this week

Jailbait (2004)

 -  Drama  -  2004 (USA)
5.8
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 5.8/10 from 252 users   Metascore: 41/100
Reviews: 11 user | 21 critic | 10 from Metacritic.com

Randy commits a crime that would normally get him probation and a hefty fine, but in the "three-strikes" world of justice, he finds himself locked up for 25 years. His cellmate Jake is a ... See full summary »

Director:

Watch Trailer
0Check in
0Share...

Related News

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 317 titles created 11 months ago
 
a list of 898 titles created 07 Jun 2012
 
a list of 56 titles created 18 Nov 2011
 
a list of 47 titles created 01 Mar 2012
 
a list of 41 titles created 1 month ago
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: Jailbait (2004)

Jailbait (2004) on IMDb 5.8/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Jailbait.
2 wins. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Edit

Cast

Credited cast:
...
Jake
...
Randy
...
Mother
...
Guard
...
Prison Guard
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brian Albanese ...
Prisoner
...
Prisioner
Edit

Storyline

Randy commits a crime that would normally get him probation and a hefty fine, but in the "three-strikes" world of justice, he finds himself locked up for 25 years. His cellmate Jake is a congenial yet remorseless lifer who casually informs Randy that he slit his wife's throat because she slept with another man just three months after they exchanged vows. Jake recognizes Randy's fear and offers him advice on how to make it in prison. But it soon becomes clear that Jake has much more than mentoring in mind as he takes Randy under his wing. "Jailbait" sets a darkly cerebral tone, juxtaposing brutality with the unattainable ideal of intimacy in the harshest of psychological environments. For these two men so yearning to be anything but who they are and where they are, power is the goal, and it's never clear who truly holds it right up to the last unsettling moment. Written by Kindred Media Group

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language including graphic sexual dialogue, and some violence | See all certifications »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

2004 (USA)  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Lake Placid Film Festival See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

 
Definitely worth the wait
25 August 2006 | by (Upland, CA) – See all my reviews

Like I have stated in other comments that I have made for other films, I am no expert-- just a chick who loves a good story. However, when I see something that haunts me long after I get on the 101 freeway, I feel obliged to chime in with my comments.

After months of hunting down when and where this film would release in the LA area, I finally sat down in my chair, stub in hand at the Grande Laemmle downtown. I thought I would remain the only member in the audience given the lack of advertisement, but shortly after I arrived two older guys showed up. One of them had a handy-cam, so I figured they were just a couple of old pirates. Nope. The 'pirate' ended up being the father of Brett C. Leonard, the writer/director of the film and his camera was not for pirating-- just had it with him. After hearing Bruce Leonard's story of his son's long journey to getting the film off the ground and on to the screen, I was more than ready to see it. It was definitely worth the wait.

From the limited number of cast members, the one principle setting, the almost exclusive use of the color blue and the lack of 'mood' music, you really got a sense of confinement. The acting was great. I was scared of Randy's (Michael Pitt) cell mate and wanted to be his friend all at the same time. Very amusing and yet horribly disturbing character. Michael Pitt was dead on once again. You really felt for the guy's situation and, no doubt, his regret. Clearly, the film wanted to touch on the ridiculousness (is that even a word?!) of California's three strikes rule. Without giving anything away, I can say that this film while not preachy is definitely a discussion starter (aren't all of the good ones that way?).

By not putting the two principle characters in a few other settings within the prison, i do feel that the director missed an opportunity to take advantage of the medium. A lot of the dialog could have been done in the prison yard or the mess hall..even the library mentioned at the beginning of the film. This would have also allowed us to see how the other inmates were living and interacting. Maybe even opening up the idea that Randy's situation was not just his hard luck, but the simple, sad truth of many other inmates.

Regardless of these thoughts, this was a disturbing, touching and thought-provoking drama. The writer and director should be proud of his accomplishment. I know his father sure is.


7 of 11 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Any nudity? zetaphi708
release date ? ennuiblu
Michael Pitt,,Brilliant! kelticbleu
any info? JanetWeiss
Excellent Film HowardMarie
Where? Prettylittlelie
Discuss Jailbait (2004) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?