Jailbait (2004)

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:

Brett C. Leonard

Writer:

Brett C. Leonard

Stars:

Stephen Adly Guirgis, Michael Pitt, Laila Robins

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Stephen Adly Guirgis	...	Jake
Michael Pitt	...	Randy
Laila Robins	...	Mother
David Zayas	...	Guard
Eric Trosman	...	Prison Guard
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brian Albanese	...	Prisoner
Ray Wineteer	...	Prisioner

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.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | manipulation | prison sex | intimidation | gay

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language including graphic sexual dialogue, and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2004 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Belladonna Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

User Reviews

One of the Best Indys in a Long Long Time

Thank God this film will finally receive its long-overdue theatrical release later on this summer! I saw it a while back at a film festival and thought it was one of the best independent films I'd seen in a long, long time. It is extremely powerful, disturbing, thought-provoking and funny all at the same time. The performances by all four actors are spot-on. Michael Pitt continues to impress. In fact, I think he went deeper emotionally in this film than any other, with the possible exception of 'Last Days.' Stephen Adly Guirgis surpasses his 'Palindromes' performance by a country mile. He's fantastic. And the film as a whole has a very mature, seasoned tone, pace and structure. It reminded me of some of Fassbinder's films. And early Louis Malle and a bit of Bresson. A great debut by writer/director Brett C. Leonard. I heard after the screening I saw that they shot the whole thing in 8 or 9 days. Incredible. Does anyone know when it will premiere in L.A.? I believe it opens New York sometime in July. Anyway, if it comes out where you live, I highly recommend it. A great example of auteur, personal film-making on a shoe string budget.