A Bag of Hammers

It's so great to be surprised by a film you guess is just OK, and then it turns out to be a real gem. The title is just what it is - A bag of hammers. A depiction of life when it's not on the sunny side. This film is like what Tom Waits would be, if he was a film.

Two best friends, living on the edge of the law after having a rather bad upbringing, still have both brains and hearts. They notice th little neighboring boy on 12 which has a similar upbringing they had. A smart, cute kid, which is very much neglected by his "bad mother", which is poor, out of job and depressed. One day they realize they have to take action.

The film is definitely from the shadow-side of life, and you may expect to shed more tears than laughter. Well payed by all involved, the film slowly steals your heart, and makes you think what life is all about.

The film manages to be funny as well as serious in a very rare way. The actors manage to make this both believable and rare. Recommended!

A Bag of Hammers was very well-received in its world premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. Writer/Director Brian Crano has delivered an excellent first feature film that mixes comedy and drama. The script and the acting are first rate. The film tells the story of how two young thieves who don't really grow up until they are confronted with the responsibility of dealing with an abandoned child. It is a story about how family is extends beyond what we are born into to what we construct from bonds of love. The plot is believable and charming. The characters are delightfully human. In a world full of poorly-written and acted Hollywood blockbusters, A Bag of Hammers is the type of independent film that we need more of. Hopefully, it will get a wide theatrical release.

I've never felt the need to review a movie before, but I absolutely loved this movie and as it finished I just wanted to tell someone to see it! As it's Friday night and all my friends are busy at the moment I'll just have to tell you guys: Go and watch this movie!

I'm not going to say anything about the plot, the trailer covers just enough, the viewer understands what it's about but there are still surprises along the way in the plot and emotions that comes up. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. If one of those who made this movie happens to read this; Thank you. You made my weekend.

Ingrid

So far the rating on this movie is so low - that is NOT because it is not a good movie. It combines the bro-movie with a real look at the financial circumstances so many are suffering today. Both male characters are a gentle combination of quirky losers who decide to take on a young boy who is going through hard times much as they did.

Jason Ritter is such a pleasing actor, his nature and humour shine as the young man whose brother's death informs his aimlessness. Jake Sandvig is an excellent match, if you wanted to find a flaw perhaps they were too much alike, but personally I found it believable. Rebecca Hall, playing Jason's sister, is the voice of sanity - but not always right. Chandler Canterbury as the young boy is wonderful - all you would want in any 12 year old but prematurely old due to his life circumstances.

Done with a beautiful subtlety and restraint, this is one of the best movies I've seen of this genre in a long time.

The thing that makes me connect with independent films is that they make you think. Hollywood blockbusters just don't seem all that poignant anymore. For this reason I am glad that Netflix suggested A Bag of Hammers to me. It tells the story of two lifelong friends whose bond was developed over hardships in childhood. To make ends meet these two have a very lucrative career as con men. Their lives and friendships are tested when they inherit an orphaned boy, a boy in whom they see a lot of their own struggles of youth.

I really connected with the cast and was genuinely touched by Jason Ritter's speech on the Bag of Hammers that is in the film. It had the perfect feel for a modern independent film with a modest budget, realistic locations and important message that tackles modern-day dilemmas. It is a unique take on the coming of age story, not just for the orphaned boy, but for the two con men who must finally come to grips with growing up.