12 and Holding was wonderful. The direction was some of the sharpest I've ever seen, allowing us to experience the story without having it shoved down our throats. The characters were terrifically drawn, showing the way 12 year olds commit acts without considering consequences. They have a goal, they do whatever they think is necessary to achieve the goal, they do not consider what might happen as a result of the action - this is true to life. Even the parents are seen from the point of view of the kids, namely as non-understanding grown-ups, not necessarily adversaries but not allies either, yet adults in the audience completely understood and related to the actions of the parents.
speaking of the audience - it is rare to have a packed audience totally silent, as was the preview audience in attendance when I saw the movie. In fact, total silence happened many times during the movie, as did collective gasps.
which begs the question - why do I call it an almost excellent movie? One very important pivotal plot development simply did not ring true for me. SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER ALERT!!! I did not believe the young girl would steal a gun.
This was unfortunate. On the one hand, this did not spoil the movie for me and I would highly recommend the movie. On the other hand, I wish this particular plot element had not been included. The director and script writer could have found other ways to arrive at the gun's plot element. In fact, it would have been more effective to have a different plot element other than the gun, which surprised no one in the audience.
Otherwise, the movie was excellent.
speaking of the audience - it is rare to have a packed audience totally silent, as was the preview audience in attendance when I saw the movie. In fact, total silence happened many times during the movie, as did collective gasps.
which begs the question - why do I call it an almost excellent movie? One very important pivotal plot development simply did not ring true for me. SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER ALERT!!! I did not believe the young girl would steal a gun.
This was unfortunate. On the one hand, this did not spoil the movie for me and I would highly recommend the movie. On the other hand, I wish this particular plot element had not been included. The director and script writer could have found other ways to arrive at the gun's plot element. In fact, it would have been more effective to have a different plot element other than the gun, which surprised no one in the audience.
Otherwise, the movie was excellent.