Twelve and Holding
Encyclopedia
12 and Holding is a 2005 film directed by Michael Cuesta
. The film is distributed by IFC Films
and was released on May 19, 2005 in limited theaters.
The boy's twin brother Jacob, a boy with a huge birthmark (also played by Donovan), decides to seek revenge against the bullies. Leonard (Jesse Camacho) who's overweight, survives the tree house fire but loses his sense of taste and smell. This prompts him to go on a diet, which isn't welcomed by his obese
family. The boys' female friend Malee (Zoe Weizenbaum
) tries to befriend an adult named Gus (Jeremy Renner
), a grief
-stricken patient of her therapist mother, Carla (Annabella Sciorra
). Jacob's family falls apart after the death of his brother. But shortly after, his parents adopt a boy so Jacob won't feel alone. Meanwhile, Malee begins to have a crush on Gus and changes the song for her recital to one Gus liked, just for him. As time goes by, she sees Gus as her "soul mate". She sneaks into his house one night to find him grieving. Afraid to confront him, Malee steals his gun and leaves.
Jacob frequently visits Jeff and Kenny, who are serving time in a juvenile hall. Jacob initially threatens them until one day Jeff commits suicide. Jacob befriends Kenny, soon learning he has an early release and is illegally moving to New Mexico. Meanwhile, Leonard's father decides to take his sisters to Florida instead of Leonard (who would usually go) as a form of punishment for Leonard dieting. Leonard decides to force his mother to lose weight by trapping her in the cellar. They both end up in the hospital after a gas leak
in their home. Next, Jacob and Kenny agree that Jacob can go with him to New Mexico. Malee visits Gus and removes her clothes in an attempt to seduce him. Instead, Gus calls Malee's mother to come and pick her up. The next day, Gus explains to therapist Carla about the last fire he ever fought (which involved killing an injured little girl, upon the girl's request), claiming that Malee wanted him to take her pain away, upon already knowing she had a crush on him. Meanwhile, Jacob's mother informs him that his brother has been murdered, and she wants Kenny dead, reminding him of his planned revenge. The night of escape for Jacob finally comes and he meets up with Kenny. Jacob insists on going through a construction site which he says is a secret route. Once there, Jacob points a gun at Kenny (the same one Malee had stolen from Gus) and tells him "you killed him" before shooting him dead. Jacob buries the body and leaves.
After the vengeance, Jacob now accepts his adopted brother. Malee begins visiting her estranged father, and Leonard's family finally starts eating healthily. The movie ends with Jacob's mother smiling at him from inside the house seemingly knowing about what he has done.
Michael Cuesta
Michael Cuesta is an American film and television director. Cuesta co-wrote and directed the 2001 independent film, L.I.E.. He has directed and produced television series including Six Feet Under, Dexter and Blue Bloods.-Biography:He received a BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts in...
. The film is distributed by IFC Films
IFC Films
IFC Films is an American film distribution company based in New York, owned by AMC Networks. It distributes independent films and documentaries under the IFC Films, Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight. It operates the IFC Center....
and was released on May 19, 2005 in limited theaters.
Plot
The film explores adolescent issues through the minds of three friends and their reactions after a boy named Rudy Carges (Conor Donovan) dies in a tree house set on fire by local bullies Jeff and Kenny.The boy's twin brother Jacob, a boy with a huge birthmark (also played by Donovan), decides to seek revenge against the bullies. Leonard (Jesse Camacho) who's overweight, survives the tree house fire but loses his sense of taste and smell. This prompts him to go on a diet, which isn't welcomed by his obese
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
family. The boys' female friend Malee (Zoe Weizenbaum
Zoe Weizenbaum
Zoë Weizenbaum is an American child actor.-Life and career:Weizenbaum was born in Seattle, Washington to an American mother and a Chinese father. She grew up from the age of two in Amherst, Massachusetts. For years, African Dance was her primary love. She also enjoyed being part of Amherst's local...
) tries to befriend an adult named Gus (Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Lee Renner is a two-time Academy-Award-nominated American actor and musician. Renner appeared in films throughout the 2000s, mostly in supporting roles. He came to prominence in films such as Dahmer , S.W.A.T. , Neo Ned , 28 Weeks Later and The Hurt Locker...
), a grief
Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions...
-stricken patient of her therapist mother, Carla (Annabella Sciorra
Annabella Sciorra
Annabella Sciorra is an American film, television, and stage actress. Sciorra received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead for the 1989 film True Love, and came to widespread attention in her co-lead role in Spike Lee's 1991 film Jungle Fever...
). Jacob's family falls apart after the death of his brother. But shortly after, his parents adopt a boy so Jacob won't feel alone. Meanwhile, Malee begins to have a crush on Gus and changes the song for her recital to one Gus liked, just for him. As time goes by, she sees Gus as her "soul mate". She sneaks into his house one night to find him grieving. Afraid to confront him, Malee steals his gun and leaves.
Jacob frequently visits Jeff and Kenny, who are serving time in a juvenile hall. Jacob initially threatens them until one day Jeff commits suicide. Jacob befriends Kenny, soon learning he has an early release and is illegally moving to New Mexico. Meanwhile, Leonard's father decides to take his sisters to Florida instead of Leonard (who would usually go) as a form of punishment for Leonard dieting. Leonard decides to force his mother to lose weight by trapping her in the cellar. They both end up in the hospital after a gas leak
Gas leak
In common usage, a gas leak refers to a leak of natural gas, from a pipe or other containment, into a living area or any other area where the gas should not be...
in their home. Next, Jacob and Kenny agree that Jacob can go with him to New Mexico. Malee visits Gus and removes her clothes in an attempt to seduce him. Instead, Gus calls Malee's mother to come and pick her up. The next day, Gus explains to therapist Carla about the last fire he ever fought (which involved killing an injured little girl, upon the girl's request), claiming that Malee wanted him to take her pain away, upon already knowing she had a crush on him. Meanwhile, Jacob's mother informs him that his brother has been murdered, and she wants Kenny dead, reminding him of his planned revenge. The night of escape for Jacob finally comes and he meets up with Kenny. Jacob insists on going through a construction site which he says is a secret route. Once there, Jacob points a gun at Kenny (the same one Malee had stolen from Gus) and tells him "you killed him" before shooting him dead. Jacob buries the body and leaves.
After the vengeance, Jacob now accepts his adopted brother. Malee begins visiting her estranged father, and Leonard's family finally starts eating healthily. The movie ends with Jacob's mother smiling at him from inside the house seemingly knowing about what he has done.
Cast
- Conor Donovan as Jacob Carges/Rudy Carges
- Jesse Camacho as Leonard Fisher
- Zoe WeizenbaumZoe WeizenbaumZoë Weizenbaum is an American child actor.-Life and career:Weizenbaum was born in Seattle, Washington to an American mother and a Chinese father. She grew up from the age of two in Amherst, Massachusetts. For years, African Dance was her primary love. She also enjoyed being part of Amherst's local...
as Malee Chuang - Jeremy RennerJeremy RennerJeremy Lee Renner is a two-time Academy-Award-nominated American actor and musician. Renner appeared in films throughout the 2000s, mostly in supporting roles. He came to prominence in films such as Dahmer , S.W.A.T. , Neo Ned , 28 Weeks Later and The Hurt Locker...
as Gus Maitland - Annabella SciorraAnnabella SciorraAnnabella Sciorra is an American film, television, and stage actress. Sciorra received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead for the 1989 film True Love, and came to widespread attention in her co-lead role in Spike Lee's 1991 film Jungle Fever...
as Carla Chuang - Linus RoacheLinus RoacheLinus William Roache is an English actor.-Early life:Roache was born in Manchester, the son of Coronation Street actor William Roache and actress Anna Cropper. Roache was educated at Bishop Luffa Church of England School in Chichester, West Sussex and at the independent Rydal School in Colwyn Bay,...
as Jim Carges - Jayne AtkinsonJayne AtkinsonJayne Atkinson is an English-born American film, theatre and television actress. She is perhaps best known for the role of Karen Hayes on 24 as well as her Tony Award-nominated roles in The Rainmaker and Enchanted April...
as Ashley Carges - Marcia DeBonis as Grace Fisher
- Tom McGowanTom McGowanThomas "Tom" McGowan is an American actor, known for his recurring roles on Frasier, as KACL station manager Kenny Daly; Everybody Loves Raymond, as Ray's friend Bernie; and on The War at Home, as Dave Gold's friend Joe. McGowan also appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm as a disgruntled fan of Larry's...
as Patrick Fisher - Michael C. Fuchs as Kenny
- Martin Campetta as Jeff