Featured Audience Ratings

• paul s

  
  While starting out as one of those "quirky" comedies, the film really isn't a comedy at all, though it does attempt to retain the quirkiness. Of course it didn't help that several later scenes that I believe were supposed to be funny were truly reaching; to the… More
  While starting out as one of those "quirky" comedies, the film really isn't a comedy at all, though it does attempt to retain the quirkiness. Of course it didn't help that several later scenes that I believe were supposed to be funny were truly reaching; to the point of almost being offensive (as when one of the two grifters has to go at it alone and is reduced to being tempted to rob little old ladies of their purses). I feel that the back story - that of abused childhood (hence the title) had enough heft to be the sole theme of this film and that the comic elements could have been left out entirely (or at least the more overt ones). The script, when it focuses on the back story, is adequate; as is the acting of Jason Ritter and Jake Sandvig as the two grifters - they are loose enough in that slacker kind of way, and able to carry the wood when the film reveals the pained underside. Precocious kiddy number 9000 is aptly performed by Chandler Canterbury (there's a stage name if I've ever seen one), who manages to make me feel sorry for him as all he wants is someone to care about him (it's obvious that his mother does not). That at least one of the grifters does care is the major turning point of the plot and what gives this film a marginal passing grade - that and the ability to remain in costume; keeping the laissez faire slacker mentality and air of light joviality in spite of the dark underpinnings. I was drawn to this film because the daughter of a friend worked on the costumes (which are lowbrow LA kitch and so normal you don't notice that they are costumes at all). Normally, just by the title alone, I would have steered clear, and really the title is unfortunate as this could easily be dismissed as a screwball comedy - it's not, and while certainly not a great film, I was pleasantly surprised by the dramatic element. At least the film knew that it was straddling a precarious fence, as during the closing credits it includes a scene where one of the grifters is seen in a hardware store looking at hammers. In the next scene as the 3 main characters are throwing hammers at bottles, one turns to the other and says "you know that this is a pretty obvious metaphor, right?" To which the other replies, "Yeah, but it makes a nice visual". That just about sums up the tone of the film.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  "<b>A Bag of Hammers</b> was a nice surprise. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't what I got. The movie is emotionally dark. There is some humor in there as well, but the story itself is emotional, sad, and depressing. My heart ached for the… More
  "<b>A Bag of Hammers</b> was a nice surprise. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't what I got. The movie is emotionally dark. There is some humor in there as well, but the story itself is emotional, sad, and depressing. My heart ached for the characters. You don't get much information on Ben and Alan's childhood, but the pieces you do get tells a story of broken homes with abusive neglecting parents. So when Kelsey enters their lives, with his situation being similar, it's hard not see themselves in the young boy. In the scene where Lynette is in the backyard hanging her clothes on the line and she calls her son stupid and the spawn of satan, I wanted to go through the screen and beat the crap out of her. But in the end, I kinda felt sorry for her. I learned a long time ago that there are parents who are just not meant to be parents. They just don't know how to be. I think Lynette falls in this category. Unfortunately, poor Kelsey ends up with two parents who would rather not be parents and want nothing but to be rid of him. The story really grabbed at my heart strings and I thought Chandler Canterbury did an amazing job in his role. Jason Ritter is just as talented as his late father. I really enjoy his acting. I really liked Jake Sandvig in this as well. I don't know if I've seen him in anything else, I'd like to think I would remember. I liked him a lot in this. Amanda Seyfried plays a small role. But even in that small part she dominates the screen. I'm liking her the more I see her in films. If you like indie flicks then this should be something you would enjoy. Also just anohter little tidbit; The way these two, Ben and Alan, make their living isn't new, but the way they go about it is so, so, so mest up. You will have to see the movie to understand what I mean. Great movie, I would definitely see it again."

• Christopher H

  
  Hitting all the appropriate marks and creating a vehicle for unknowns like Jake Sandvig and Jason Ritter, "A Bag of Hammers" may veer off into pure mimicry of Wes Anderson, but if you're going to imitate, you might as well imitate the best. There is deep emotion in this… More
  Hitting all the appropriate marks and creating a vehicle for unknowns like Jake Sandvig and Jason Ritter, "A Bag of Hammers" may veer off into pure mimicry of Wes Anderson, but if you're going to imitate, you might as well imitate the best. There is deep emotion in this Indie that reaches the surface a hand full of times and every time it does, its like seeing a gorgeous dolphin coming up for air. Yes, Crano's debut is sometimes sloppy and sometimes predictable, but for the most part, it's completely enjoyable, helped strongly by cameos from the uber talented Amanda Seyfried and Rebecca Hall.