Review of 12 and Holding (2006) by Danielle S — 25 May 2007

The challenge he is faced with is actually going a bit too far sometimes with violence, guns, sex and independence. The points are made, but the story lines are just a tad extreme. The film deals with twin brothers - one a born leader, the other a social recluse with a facial birthmark - who are friends with Malee (the daughter of a single psychiatrist mom and Leonard, a quiet obese boy from a family full of champion overeater.

Real life begins for all involved when the "popular" brother is accidentally killed. Watching the transformation of the other brother to a strong-willed, slightly angry bull is frightening. However, it is not as frightening as the paths of Malee and Leonard.

Cuesta directs these fine actors - there is not a weak one in the cast - with surety and a degree of sense of spontaneity that is truly splendid. This is most assuredly an ensemble performance worthy of awards: it is also a series of star turns for Jeremy Renner, Annabella Sciorra, Conor Donovan, Zoe Weizenbaum and Jesse Camacho.

This is independent film-making at its finest: the story is tough, the conclusions disturbing, and the quality of acting is astounding.TWELVE AND HOLDING is an uncomfortable movie to watch because of the situation it places Malee.

Yet, it's brutally honest in addressing adolescent crushes on people they look up to because it's something everyone goes through: everyone has had that irresistible attraction to someone older, a teacher perhaps, and written about it in their diary or blog.

.. Malee decides to act it out instead, more than likely not fully aware of what she is doing. But because it's so honest and so true, it can become this mobile moment when people may react in a squeamish way.

However, it's artfully handled -- especially when the construction worker (Jeremy Renner) later confesses how this extremely precarious scene helped him resolve some inner demons to Malee's mother (Annabella Sciorra).

"Twelve and Holding" is essentially a film about maturity and living in the aftermath of a tragic event. It is complimented by absolutely phenomenal performances by the children, especially Conor Donovan, who handles one of the more difficult child roles I've seen in a while to near perfection.

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.