12 Bucks (1998)

Two young boys are faced with their father's brutal abuse of their mother. One picks up a gun and their lives are forever changed. The shooter goes on to a life of crime, while the other is... See full summary »

Director:

Wayne Isham

Writers:

Sean Graham, Scott Waugh

Stars:

Matthew Fishman, Nick Bentley, Alexandra Paul

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Fishman	...	Young Johnny
Nick Bentley	...	Young Tanner
Alexandra Paul	...	Epiphany Lovejoy
David Chokachi	...	Evil Lovejoy
Damon Whitaker	...	Myles, Quick, Flash, Gatekeeper
Mik Scriba	...	Sgt. Angry / Lt. Brawler
Scott Waugh	...	Johnny
Jonathan Silverman	...	Hyper
Sean Graham	...	Tanner
Finola Hughes	...	Classy
Glenn Morshower	...	Stocker
R.C. Everbeck	...	Spineless (as Richard Charles Everbeck)
Thyme Lewis	...	Shopper
Mary Deno	...	The Switcher (as Mari Deno)
Tom Robb	...	Harlee

Storyline

Two young boys are faced with their father's brutal abuse of their mother. One picks up a gun and their lives are forever changed. The shooter goes on to a life of crime, while the other is put in a foster home and goes on to be a successful college student. Fifteen years later, the two are re-united. The jailbird tells his brother he needs him to vouch for him at the parole office. Reluctantly agreeing to go, it isn't until the trip starts that the college man discovers that they are going to Florida and not to a local parole office in California. Forced to travel across country, the two develop a new awareness of each other and of their own life problems.

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Plot Keywords:

money in title | road trip | juvenile delinquent | brother brother relationship | number in title | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

12 dólares

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kindred Spirits Productions,Pritcher/Foreman Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Beyond the Gates (2016)

User Reviews

episodic, "magical-realistic" telling of estranged brothers' road trip to redemption

This movie was the "dream project" of its two leads, Scott Waugh and Sean Graham, who wrote and developed the film over several years to showcase their talents and tell what they thought was a meaningful take on the ramifications on children on growing up in an utterly dysfunctional environment. The story had many interesting ideas and a solid arc, as the two experience several episodes of divine intervention to ensure the success of their journey. Ultimately, the movie was undermined by on the nose dialogue, moral ambiguity and an overall failure to make sense of all the "magical" twists to the plot.

There was considerable inventive camera work, but at times it over indulged itself in hand held 360 degree spins that made this viewer nauseous.

The acting was all over the map. Intentionally and effectively broad at times, to realistic heartfelt portrayals by the two leads of their emotional conflicts. Some scenes could have been done without altogether, especially the sexual encounters that did nothing to advance the story, and seemed almost prurient compared to the rest of the story.

There were compelling and humorous moments, but this is a movie that seems to have no audience waiting to see it, and will fade into obscurity when all is said and done