Twelve and Holding (2005) Review

It's rare to stumble across a film that exceeds any preconceived expectations; a film that pushes the envelop to its limit, and yet delivers not one, but several messages with accuracy and poise. Twelve and Holding (2005) is this type of film. Director Michael Cuesta delivers an emotional masterpiece in redemption, conviction, and forgiveness.

It all starts with a fire. A boy dies and lives are forever transformed. It's a domino effect. When change strikes it delivers forcing each character to take a journey into the unknown and face fear head on in a quest to find answers, satisfaction, and justification. All the facets that contemporary society clings to-hoping an eye for an eye won't make the whole world blind. Starving for male attention, one girl expresses her sexuality all too soon while one boy battles the opposition of being overweight, and the other comes to terms with his brother's death.

This triangular approach to drama is breath-taking, eye awaking, and shocking. In a typical mainstream film, the audience is taken on a parallel journey. The protagonist (main character) guides the viewer down a path which ultimately leads to the antagonist whom is in opposition with the protagonist, and after a much needed war on conflict a resolution arises. Now, the resolution can satisfy the audience or disappoint. The point is that the end result is justified by action. Twelve and Holding, an independent film, clearly defines dysfunction in a family dynamic in which case each family has its own hosts of problems to resolve in a twisted world.

Twelve and Holding maybe an independent film, but it's distinguished as a rare film to come by.  The passion in which the story is told is lucid and frantic. It's a story of deliverance. Family dysfunction does not discriminate. It comes in all shapes, sizes, ethnicity, and religions. Family dysfunction is the cornerstone that binds families together, yet bridges the gap to despair. It sparks a need for change. A need for a reality check. And a need to break down barriers that leads to forgiveness and second chances.