Twenty Bucks (1993)

A story about the life of a twenty dollar bill as it weaves in and out of the various lives of several people.

Director:

Keva Rosenfeld

Writers:

Leslie Bohem, Endre Bohem

Stars:

Linda Hunt, Brendan Fraser, Elisabeth Shue

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Linda Hunt	...	Angeline
David Rasche	...	Baker
George Morfogen	...	Jack Holiday
Sam Sorbo	...	Anna Holiday (as Sam Jenkins)
Brendan Fraser	...	Sam Mastrewski
Bubba Baker	...	Buddha
Rosemary Murphy	...	Aunt Dotty
Concetta Tomei	...	Sam's Mother
Peggy Miley	...	Aunt Zoha
Shohreh Aghdashloo	...	Ghada Holiday
David Fresco	...	Uncle Stash
Noah Lee Margetts	...	Mark (as Noah Margetts)
Melora Walters	...	The Stripper / Funeral Director
Gladys Knight	...	Mrs. McCormac
William H.D. Marlett	...	Patrick (as Willie Marlett)

Storyline

The film follows a $20 bill from its ATM birth to its eventual demise. Along the way, the note weaves in and out of the lives of a street person, an aspiring writer, a stripper, two thieves, and many others in surprising and inventive ways.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | stripper | twenty dollar bill | cause and effect | chain reaction | 

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Taglines:

When you pass the buck, the last thing you expect is change.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

20 taalaa

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,667, 24 October 1993

Gross USA:

$89,558

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$89,558

Company Credits

Production Co:

Big Tomorrow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The opening montage was added as an afterthought in post-production.

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Goofs

The license plates on the cars imply that the story supposedly takes place in Washington DC, but the skyline scenes do not look at all like Washington DC. For one thing, Washington has no high-rise office buildings or skyscrapers.

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Quotes

Jimmy: Life lesson number two...
[grabs the whiskey and throws it out of the car]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Fatal Instinct/Demolition Man/The Remains of the Day/Twenty Bucks (1993)

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Soundtracks

Stamina
Written by Darren Loveday and Stephen Loveday
Courtesy of FirstCom/Music House/Chappell

User Reviews

A new twist on an old story...

This film was written in 1935 by screenwriter Endre Bohem shortly before his death. He never completed the script. It sat on a shelf in his archives for 55 years. Finally in 1990, his son, Leslie Bohem, found it and immediately fell in love with the concept. He completed the script, updated it for a more modern audience, and filmed it with director Keva Rosenfeld. In the film, a $20 bill is minted and sent to a bank. A mother with her hands full uses an ATM machine, drops the bill in her hassle, and the story begins. The rest of this film follows the bill through the hands of 12 complete strangers who, through various ways, pass the bill to one another. Along the way, the note weaves in and out of the lives of a street person, an aspiring writer, two thieves (a hilarious Steve Bucemi and Christopher Lloyd), and a stripper who also...well, I won't ruin it for you.

However, besides the inventive concept, it is fun to see many of today's brightest stars, when they were just starting out in the industry. Look for such faces as David Schwimmer(NBC's "Friends"), Elisabeth Shue(Leaving Las Vegas), William H. Macy(Fargo, Wag the Dog), Brendan Fraser(The Scout, George of the Jungle), and Steve Bucemi(Reservoir Dogs, The Big Lebowski).

This is a great film to watch with a group of friends. One tip, though. Don't keep pausing the film, or you might lose track of who has the bill.