Two Bits (1995)

Gennaro lives with his ailing grandpa, who sits outside holding tight to his last quarter. But grandpa's not ready to die, he has some unfinished business with a woman from his past and he enlists Gennaro to act as his emissary.

Director:

James Foley

Writer:

Joseph Stefano

Stars:

Al Pacino, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Jerry Barone

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jerry Barone	...	Gennaro
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Luisa Spirito
Al Pacino	...	Grandpa
Patrick Borriello	...	Tullio
Andy Romano	...	Dr. Bruna
Donna Mitchell	...	Mrs. Bruna
Mary Lou Rosato	...	Aunt Carmela
Joe Grifasi	...	Uncle Joe
Rosemary De Angelis	...	Mrs. Conte
Ron McLarty	...	Irish
Charley Scalies	...	Ballyhoo Driver
Joanna Merlin	...	Guendolina
Geoff Pierson	...	Dr. Wilson
Karen Shallo	...	Woman in Red
Nick Discenza	...	Father of Deceased

Storyline

It's a hot summer day in 1933 in South Philly, where 12-year old Gennaro lives with his widowed mom and his ailing grandpa, who sits outside holding tight to his last quarter, which he's promised to Gennaro and which Gennaro would like to have to buy a ticket to the plush new movie theater. But grandpa's not ready to pass on the quarter or pass on to his final reward: he has some unfinished business with a woman from his past, and he enlists Gennaro to act as his emissary.

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Plot Keywords:

man wears eyeglasses | old man | suicide by hanging | great depression | cinema | 

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Taglines:

You're never too old to believe in a dream. Or too young to make one come true!

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some traumatic thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

Maurice Jarre wrote a score for the film but it was rejected by producer Harvey Weinstein.

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Quotes

Luisa Spirito: Have I ever broken a promise?
Gennaro: Yeah!
Luisa Spirito: Well, all mothers do.

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Connections

Features Below Zero (1930)

User Reviews

Could've been great, turned out mediocre

The Great Depression has been discussed in one too many movies and "Two Bits" makes almost no exception of the general rule for such a movie: a poor family(usually immigrants), a small child realizing the poverty around him, an older person to guide the child, a sudden understanding of the really important things in life, a little drama, a touching ending, nothing new, nothing bad, unfortunately nothing too good. The exception in the "nothing too good rule" is the usual amazing performance that Al Pacino gives in almost all of his roles. His character, Gitano Sabatoni, touches the viewer deeply, and might even bring a few twinkles in the eyes at the very end. However, one man does not make a team, and Al Pacino could do little to save this movie from mediocrity.

James Foley("Twin Peaks", "Fear") tries to create a deep and touching stroy line, perhaps reaching to the roots of many movie fans. He is not successful, though. The metaphor with the "La Paloma" theater is not that strong and the end could've been made deeper if it had been for a few more words. Anyway, that's not Foley's main problem. The total lack of action in this movie makes it a bit too boring. "Two Bits" is simply too slow to leave a lasting impression. The somewhat strong scenes of grandfather-grandson bonding are immediately followed with aimless roaming around the streets of Philly. Perhaps one of the deepest scenes in the movie(the dancing people on the street) is somewhat lost because the viewer did not expect such a strong message at that time. Simple ideas can be misunderstood when not given in a right time to the viewer. Perhaps the same message "Two Bits" holds(even though much less complicated) is expressed in a brilliant way in "Citizen Kane". In the latter movie however, the viewer is "glued" to the seat at almost every time, whereas in "Two Bits" some people might slip out of their seats.

Anyway, "Two Bits" is worth seeing even if only for Al Pacino's impact. The movie might not be that good as a whole, but it touches a soft spot in many dedicated viewers' hearts. James Foley succeeds in showing the "holyness" of a movie theater to a small kid(or even to an adult). The way "La Paloma" is described, it leaves an impression of something majestic, something sacred, something pure and beautiful. It's a shame that Foley went only so far as to evoke this one picture, for as beautiful as it is, it can't support a whole movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Two Bits

Filming Locations:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,299, 26 November 1995

Gross USA:

$26,282

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,282

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Arthur Cohn Productions, Capella Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1