Twelve (film)
Encyclopedia
Twelve is a 2010 crime film directed by Joel Schumacher
. The film was written by Jordan Melamed, adapted from the novel of the same name
by Nick McDonell
. The film tells a story of drug addiction, violence, and sex among wealthy teenagers from Manhattan
's Upper East Side
. It was released August 6, 2010, after several delays.
The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
.
), once a wealthy, carefree teenager, now struggles to scrape out a living as a pot dealer, dealing to his former classmates. His mother died from breast cancer a year prior to the events of the film, her treatment having completely consumed his family's wealth, and left a deep emotional trauma on Mike. Mike's good friend, Molly Norton (Emma Roberts
), a sweet girl from the poorer side of town, doesn't know he is a drug dealer. Mike's supplier, Lionel (Curtis Jackson
), also deals the addictive drug cocktail "Twelve" to Mike's cousin, Charlie (Jeremy Allen White
). Charlie attempts to mug Lionel one night, as he is unable to pay for the drug. Lionel turns the gun on Charlie, shooting him at point blank range, before finding and executing Nana (Jermaine Crawford
), an innocent observer, returning home after a basketball game at the Harlem Recreation Center. Mike and Charlie's good friend, Hunter (Phillip Ettinger), another resident of the wealthy Upper East Side, set on attending Harvard, who had played basketball with—-and got in a fight with—-Nana earlier that evening, is taken into custody for the murders. He visits Harlem regularly because he detests the high society of his classmates.
Several of the other young residents of the wealthy Manhattan scene are introduced at a party as customers of White Mike, including Tobias (Nico Tortorella
), a male model, and several others, all of whom know the attractive and popular Sara Ludlow (Esti Ginzburg). The party is held at the home of Chris Kenton (Rory Culkin
), a hopeless nerd, but the host of the party, which he threw in order to boost his popularity. At the party, Sara's friend Jessica Brayson (Emily Meade
) tries Twelve for the first time, leading to an addiction over the course of the film. During the party, Chris's older brother, Claude (Billy Magnussen
), a sociopath and weapon collector, returns home after breaking out of rehab, much to the dismay of their mother. She realizes he is there while Chris is videoconferencing with her, and threatens to call the police. Chris tries to mediate and asks her to talk with Claude. She says she will speak to him but disconnects--with a swallow of pills--when Chris leaves the room. Sara's birthday is coming up just before the end of spring break, and she easily manipulates Chris into throwing a huge birthday bash for her, hinting that she will compensate him with sex--something she has no intention of doing. She and her friends Shelly (Chanel Farrell) and Gabby (Zoë Kravitz
) spend the next few days inviting everyone they know in order to make Sara's birthday "famous."
Meanwhile, Jessica has run out of money as well as Twelve, but asks Lionel (her Twelve dealer, whom Mike had introduced her to) to stop by Sara's party, anyways, so she can buy more Twelve. Tobias accidentally meets Molly during a drug deal with Mike, and invites her to Sara's party. Mike sees him from across the street and phones him to pick up the weed he had wanted. With Tobias gone, Mike meets with Molly, where she tells him about the male model who she allowed to flatter her and who also invited her to a party tonight. They relax over hot chocolate until she suggests visiting him at his job that evening; Mike closes up and dashes off after only a few minutes of talk. Molly is disappointed and decides to go to the party Tobias invited her to.
As the party begins, Claude locks himself in his room, practicing with his weapons, as the noise grows louder downstairs. Tobias disappears into one bedroom with a girl. Lionel arrives, but is infuriated that Jessica does not have the money she promised. Since she has no money, she first offers him a blowjob, to which he responds that it must be "one expensive blowjob." Tearfully, she offers to have sex with him, revealing furthermore that she is a virgin. Lionel agrees and they head inside. Tobias heads back into a bedroom with a different girl. Mike's father calls him to deliver the news that Charlie is dead, his body finally having been identified. Mike tries to call Molly, who doesn't answer her phone. He goes to the party to locate her, but is stopped by several drunk party-goers. He accidentally enters the wrong room, only to find Jessica and Lionel having sex.
Lionel, startled, pulls out a gun, which Mike recognizes as Charlie's. As he begins to accuse Lionel of the murder, Lionel shoots him, causing Claude to pull out his weapons and begin shooting up the party. Tobias is shot in the eye and Lionel is shot and killed, along with Sara and Timmy (Erik Per Sullivan
). Timmy was with Mark Rothko (Charles Austin Saxton
) as they frequently tried to buy pot from White Mike. Teenagers rush out of the party, but many others are shot and killed. Claude calls out for Chris who is hiding in the kitchen crying, when he hears police sirens. Claude hears them too and runs outside to die in a suicide by cop
fashion. As she lays dying, Sara's last thought is how this will now make her famous.
As Mike wakes up in the hospital, Molly reprehends him, having finally found out about his drug-dealing livelihood and the power he holds over the people he deals to. He wants to call her when he is sent home, but she says not to; not until he is done with this life. As the film closes, Mike visits Nana's mother, and together they connect over their shared grief--Mike, finally coming to terms with the loss of his mother, and Nana's mother (Dionne Audain), coping with the loss of her son.
.
The film opened on August 6, 2010 and earned a domestic total of $183,920 in a release of weeks. The film grossed $2,299,357 in foreign territories, adding up to $2,483,277.
, Predators, Vampires Suck
, The A-Team
, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
Joel Schumacher
Joel T. Schumacher is an American film director, screenwriter and producer.-Early life:Schumacher was born in New York City, the son of Marian and Francis Schumacher. His mother was a Swedish Jew, and his father was a Baptist from Knoxville, Tennessee, who died when Joel was four years old...
. The film was written by Jordan Melamed, adapted from the novel of the same name
Twelve (novel)
Twelve is a 2002 novel by Nick McDonell about drug addiction, violence and sex among mainly wealthy Manhattan teenagers. The title refers to a new designer drug which the protagonist of the novel, White Mike, sells...
by Nick McDonell
Nick McDonell
Robert Nicholas "Nick" McDonell is an American writer.-Personal life:McDonell was born in Manhattan, New York. His mother, Joan, is a writer, and his father, Terry McDonell, is managing editor of Sports Illustrated. His brother is actor Thomas McDonell. His father was once managing editor of...
. The film tells a story of drug addiction, violence, and sex among wealthy teenagers from Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
's Upper East Side
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, between Central Park and the East River. The Upper East Side lies within an area bounded by 59th Street to 96th Street, and the East River to Fifth Avenue-Central Park...
. It was released August 6, 2010, after several delays.
The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
26th Sundance Film Festival
The 26th annual Sundance Film Festival was held from January 21, 2010 until January 31, 2010 in Park City, Utah.-Award winners:*Grand Jury Prize: Documentary - Restrepo*Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic - Winter's Bone...
.
Plot
The film opens during Spring Break on the Upper East Side. White Mike (Chace CrawfordChace Crawford
Christopher Chace Crawford , better known as Chace Crawford, is an American actor. He currently portrays Nate Archibald on the CW television drama Gossip Girl.-Early life:...
), once a wealthy, carefree teenager, now struggles to scrape out a living as a pot dealer, dealing to his former classmates. His mother died from breast cancer a year prior to the events of the film, her treatment having completely consumed his family's wealth, and left a deep emotional trauma on Mike. Mike's good friend, Molly Norton (Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts
Emma Rose Roberts is an American actress, model and singer. She is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts. Roberts became known for her role as Addie Singer in the Nickelodeon television series Unfabulous. She released her debut album, which also served as the show's...
), a sweet girl from the poorer side of town, doesn't know he is a drug dealer. Mike's supplier, Lionel (Curtis Jackson
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
), also deals the addictive drug cocktail "Twelve" to Mike's cousin, Charlie (Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White is an American actor. He is best known for his role the in the Showtime television drama series Shameless. The series premiered in January 2011.-Television:-Movies:-External links:...
). Charlie attempts to mug Lionel one night, as he is unable to pay for the drug. Lionel turns the gun on Charlie, shooting him at point blank range, before finding and executing Nana (Jermaine Crawford
Jermaine Crawford
Jermaine Crawford is an actor best known for appearing on the HBO original series The Wire as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is a cousin to fellow Wire castmember and actor Tristan Wilds....
), an innocent observer, returning home after a basketball game at the Harlem Recreation Center. Mike and Charlie's good friend, Hunter (Phillip Ettinger), another resident of the wealthy Upper East Side, set on attending Harvard, who had played basketball with—-and got in a fight with—-Nana earlier that evening, is taken into custody for the murders. He visits Harlem regularly because he detests the high society of his classmates.
Several of the other young residents of the wealthy Manhattan scene are introduced at a party as customers of White Mike, including Tobias (Nico Tortorella
Nico Tortorella
Nico Tortorella is an American actor and model. He is best known for his role of Trevor Sheldon in the 2011 horror film Scream 4, and as Razor in the ABC TV series Make It or Break It.-Life and career:...
), a male model, and several others, all of whom know the attractive and popular Sara Ludlow (Esti Ginzburg). The party is held at the home of Chris Kenton (Rory Culkin
Rory Culkin
Rory Hugh Culkin is an American actor and is the younger brother of actors Macaulay Culkin and Kieran Culkin.-Personal life:...
), a hopeless nerd, but the host of the party, which he threw in order to boost his popularity. At the party, Sara's friend Jessica Brayson (Emily Meade
Emily Meade
Emily Meade is an American film and television actress. She has been cast in a potentially recurring role as a future version of the character Ella Blake in the U.S. science fiction series Fringe...
) tries Twelve for the first time, leading to an addiction over the course of the film. During the party, Chris's older brother, Claude (Billy Magnussen
Billy Magnussen
Billy Magnussen is an American actor.-Biography:Magnussen was born in New York City and grew up in Woodhaven, New York, until the age of 10, which point he moved with his family to Cumming, Georgia...
), a sociopath and weapon collector, returns home after breaking out of rehab, much to the dismay of their mother. She realizes he is there while Chris is videoconferencing with her, and threatens to call the police. Chris tries to mediate and asks her to talk with Claude. She says she will speak to him but disconnects--with a swallow of pills--when Chris leaves the room. Sara's birthday is coming up just before the end of spring break, and she easily manipulates Chris into throwing a huge birthday bash for her, hinting that she will compensate him with sex--something she has no intention of doing. She and her friends Shelly (Chanel Farrell) and Gabby (Zoë Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz
Zoë Isabella Kravitz is an American actress, singer and model. She is the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She has appeared in the films The Brave One with Jodie Foster, and No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones...
) spend the next few days inviting everyone they know in order to make Sara's birthday "famous."
Meanwhile, Jessica has run out of money as well as Twelve, but asks Lionel (her Twelve dealer, whom Mike had introduced her to) to stop by Sara's party, anyways, so she can buy more Twelve. Tobias accidentally meets Molly during a drug deal with Mike, and invites her to Sara's party. Mike sees him from across the street and phones him to pick up the weed he had wanted. With Tobias gone, Mike meets with Molly, where she tells him about the male model who she allowed to flatter her and who also invited her to a party tonight. They relax over hot chocolate until she suggests visiting him at his job that evening; Mike closes up and dashes off after only a few minutes of talk. Molly is disappointed and decides to go to the party Tobias invited her to.
As the party begins, Claude locks himself in his room, practicing with his weapons, as the noise grows louder downstairs. Tobias disappears into one bedroom with a girl. Lionel arrives, but is infuriated that Jessica does not have the money she promised. Since she has no money, she first offers him a blowjob, to which he responds that it must be "one expensive blowjob." Tearfully, she offers to have sex with him, revealing furthermore that she is a virgin. Lionel agrees and they head inside. Tobias heads back into a bedroom with a different girl. Mike's father calls him to deliver the news that Charlie is dead, his body finally having been identified. Mike tries to call Molly, who doesn't answer her phone. He goes to the party to locate her, but is stopped by several drunk party-goers. He accidentally enters the wrong room, only to find Jessica and Lionel having sex.
Lionel, startled, pulls out a gun, which Mike recognizes as Charlie's. As he begins to accuse Lionel of the murder, Lionel shoots him, causing Claude to pull out his weapons and begin shooting up the party. Tobias is shot in the eye and Lionel is shot and killed, along with Sara and Timmy (Erik Per Sullivan
Erik Per Sullivan
Erik Per Sullivan is an American actor best known for his role as Dewey, the younger brother to middle child Malcolm, on the FOX series, Malcolm in the Middle which was on air for 6 years.-Personal life:...
). Timmy was with Mark Rothko (Charles Austin Saxton
Charlie Saxton
Charlie Saxton is an American film, television and video game actor.He had a supporting role as Bug, one of the band members, in Bandslam. He currently is featured in Hung, an HBO comedy-drama series, playing the son of Thomas Jane's main character...
) as they frequently tried to buy pot from White Mike. Teenagers rush out of the party, but many others are shot and killed. Claude calls out for Chris who is hiding in the kitchen crying, when he hears police sirens. Claude hears them too and runs outside to die in a suicide by cop
Suicide by cop
Suicide by cop is a suicide method in which a suicidal individual deliberately acts in a threatening way, with the goal of provoking a lethal response from a law enforcement officer or other armed individual, such as being shot to death....
fashion. As she lays dying, Sara's last thought is how this will now make her famous.
As Mike wakes up in the hospital, Molly reprehends him, having finally found out about his drug-dealing livelihood and the power he holds over the people he deals to. He wants to call her when he is sent home, but she says not to; not until he is done with this life. As the film closes, Mike visits Nana's mother, and together they connect over their shared grief--Mike, finally coming to terms with the loss of his mother, and Nana's mother (Dionne Audain), coping with the loss of her son.
Cast
- Kiefer SutherlandKiefer SutherlandKiefer Sutherland is an English-born Canadian actor, producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Jack Bauer on the Fox thriller drama series 24 for which he has won an Emmy Award , a Golden Globe award , two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Satellite...
as the film's narrator. - Emma RobertsEmma RobertsEmma Rose Roberts is an American actress, model and singer. She is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts. Roberts became known for her role as Addie Singer in the Nickelodeon television series Unfabulous. She released her debut album, which also served as the show's...
as Molly Norton, a friend of White Mike's who does not know he is a drug dealer. - 50 Cent50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
as Lionel, a murderous drug dealer who supplies White Mike with weed and also sells the novelty drug Twelve. - Chace CrawfordChace CrawfordChristopher Chace Crawford , better known as Chace Crawford, is an American actor. He currently portrays Nate Archibald on the CW television drama Gossip Girl.-Early life:...
as Michael "White Mike", a philosophicalPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
17-year-old drug dealer who roams the streets of New York, peddling marijuana to rich teens. White Mike is very intelligent and never uses drugs or alcohol. - Esti Ginzburg as Sara Ludlow, the hottest girl in school. She is highly promiscuous and manipulative.
- Liam McMullan as Rory De Wellyn Frowick, who is the last word on fashion.
- Jeremy Allen WhiteJeremy Allen WhiteJeremy Allen White is an American actor. He is best known for his role the in the Showtime television drama series Shameless. The series premiered in January 2011.-Television:-Movies:-External links:...
as Charlie, White Mike's cousin, who got him into drug dealing. - Philip Ettinger as Hunter, White Mike's closest friend.
- Rory CulkinRory CulkinRory Hugh Culkin is an American actor and is the younger brother of actors Macaulay Culkin and Kieran Culkin.-Personal life:...
as Chris Kenton, a rich but rather nerdy kid; Claude's younger brother. - Billy MagnussenBilly MagnussenBilly Magnussen is an American actor.-Biography:Magnussen was born in New York City and grew up in Woodhaven, New York, until the age of 10, which point he moved with his family to Cumming, Georgia...
as Claude Kenton, a psychopathPsychopathyPsychopathy is a mental disorder characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness. Psychopaths are highly prone to antisocial behavior and abusive treatment of others, and are very disproportionately responsible for violent crime...
, adrenaline junkie, gun nut, and ex-cocaine abuser who collects bladed weapons; he is Chris' older brother - Emily MeadeEmily MeadeEmily Meade is an American film and television actress. She has been cast in a potentially recurring role as a future version of the character Ella Blake in the U.S. science fiction series Fringe...
as Jessica Brayson, a friend of Sara, who becomes addicted to Twelve. - Chanel Farrel and Zoë KravitzZoe KravitzZoë Isabella Kravitz is an American actress, singer and model. She is the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She has appeared in the films The Brave One with Jodie Foster, and No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones...
as Shelly and Gabby, Sara's party-loving friends. - Nico TortorellaNico TortorellaNico Tortorella is an American actor and model. He is best known for his role of Trevor Sheldon in the 2011 horror film Scream 4, and as Razor in the ABC TV series Make It or Break It.-Life and career:...
as Tobias, a male model. - Ethan PeckEthan PeckEthan Gregory Peck is an American actor. He is best known for his work in the ABC Family network television series 10 Things I Hate About You, where he portrayed Patrick Verona, a role originated by Heath Ledger in the movie of the same name...
as Sean, Sara's boyfriend. - Maxx Brawer as Andrew, a serious college student who develops an interest in Sara
- Jermaine CrawfordJermaine CrawfordJermaine Crawford is an actor best known for appearing on the HBO original series The Wire as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is a cousin to fellow Wire castmember and actor Tristan Wilds....
as Nana, a boy from Harlem. - Alexander Flores as Arturo, a boy from Harlem and close friend of Nana.
- Dionne Audain as Nana's mother.
- Damian Young as Hunter's father
- Charles Austin SaxtonCharlie SaxtonCharlie Saxton is an American film, television and video game actor.He had a supporting role as Bug, one of the band members, in Bandslam. He currently is featured in Hung, an HBO comedy-drama series, playing the son of Thomas Jane's main character...
as "Mark Rothko", a wiggerWiggerWigger is a pejorative slang term for a white person who emulates mannerisms, language, and fashions associated with African-American culture, particularly hip hop in the United States or the Grime/Garage scene in Britain. The term is a portmanteau of either wannabe or white and nigger...
boy whose nickname comes from a painting by Mark RothkoMark RothkoMark Rothko, born Marcus Rothkowitz , was a Russian-born American painter. He is classified as an abstract expressionist, although he himself rejected this label, and even resisted classification as an "abstract painter".- Childhood :Mark Rothko was born in Dvinsk, Vitebsk Province, Russian...
, that he once accidentally destroyed; he doesn't know who the real Mark Rothko is, he just likes the name. - Erik Per SullivanErik Per SullivanErik Per Sullivan is an American actor best known for his role as Dewey, the younger brother to middle child Malcolm, on the FOX series, Malcolm in the Middle which was on air for 6 years.-Personal life:...
as Timmy, Mark's best friend, also a wiggerWiggerWigger is a pejorative slang term for a white person who emulates mannerisms, language, and fashions associated with African-American culture, particularly hip hop in the United States or the Grime/Garage scene in Britain. The term is a portmanteau of either wannabe or white and nigger...
. - Isiah WhitlockIsiah Whitlock, Jr.Isiah Whitlock Jr. is an American actor.He is most famous for his role on the HBO television series, The Wire as corrupt state senator Clay Davis. He also is notable for appearing in Spike Lee films She Hate Me and 25th Hour as Agent Amos Flood...
and Gregg Bello as Detectives Dumont and Keminski, detectives of the NYPD. - Ako as Mrs. Fong, owner of a weaponry shop in Chinatown.
- Ellen BarkinEllen BarkinEllen Barkin is an American film, television and theatre actress.-Early life:She was born Ellen Rona Barkin in Bronx, a borough of New York City, New York, the daughter of Evelyn , a hospital administrator who worked at Jamaica Hospital, and Sol Barkin, a chemical salesman...
as Mrs. Brayson, Jessica's mother.
Release and Reception
Twelve currently holds a 4% on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
.
The film opened on August 6, 2010 and earned a domestic total of $183,920 in a release of weeks. The film grossed $2,299,357 in foreign territories, adding up to $2,483,277.
Home media
The DVD was released on December 28, 2010; the only special features include previews for Mirrors 2Mirrors 2
Mirrors 2 is a 2010 straight-to-DVD horror film. It is a sequel to the 2008 film Mirrors.-Plot:One year before the film begins Max is involved in a car accident that kills his fiancee Kayla. He becomes emotionally disturbed due to the incident. He has been under going psychological treatment with Dr...
, Predators, Vampires Suck
Vampires Suck
Vampires Suck is a 2010 vampire spoof film based on the Twilight film series and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. It stars Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, Christopher N...
, The A-Team
The A-Team (film)
The A-Team is an American action film based on the television series of the same name. It was released in cinemas in the United States on June 11, 2010, by 20th Century Fox. The film was directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by Stephen J. Cannell and the Scott brothers Ridley and Tony...
, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.