A Bag of Hammers

Most movies lately have had weak endings! But not this one it was really awesome. I don't watch much TV so I usually do a lot of research I guess would be the correct term, haha, on every movie I decide to watch. And I only write a review if it was awesome or awful, this movie was worth watching. It starts off a little slow and is somewhat confusing on what exactly is going on, but not enough to annoy, just enough to want to continue watching and find out what it's about. I definitely recommend watching this, however don't go into it expecting anything out of it, just be open minded and take it for what it is and you'll enjoy it

I showed up entirely too early to the theater for a screening at sxsw and went to see A Bag of Hammers completely by accident. The movie was fun and painful, enticing and hard to watch at some times. I was all over my seat with different emotions throughout the entire screening. The movie starts out very fun and eventually "grows up" so to speak and becomes a whole other vessel. The cast is fantastic and has supreme chemistry. I will recommend this movie to everyone I can and will go see it when it eventually opens in my home theater, just to get the experience again! The cast and director were fantastic at the screening and I can't wait to see what this fantastic group come up with next! See this movie as it tours the festivals!

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.

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!

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.