Review of 12 and Holding (2006) by Daniel P — 28 Apr 2007

A tragic death seems to kick start three 12 year-old friends - Jacob, Malee and Leonard - into the beginning of adolescence. Whilst Jacob tries to come to terms with his loss, Malee struggles with her first crush and the onset of puberty, and Leonard becomes more self-aware and sensitive to those around him.

Through all this, the parents in their lives are either absent, unresponsive or too lost in their own grief to really notice the changes. The acting is excellent - the three child stars give assured performances that don't come off as forced but feel natural and honest.

But to me the standout performance was from Jeremy Renner (who here looks uncannily like Ben McKenzie) as the emotionally damaged construction worker that Malee has a crush on. Michael Cuesta, following the amazing L.

I.E., has made another brilliant and undervalued film and the script by Anthony S. Cipriano is very strong.