Two Bits *** (1995, Al Pacino, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Jerry Barone) – Classic Movie Review 5860

‘You’re never too old to believe in a dream. Or too young to make one come true!’ Director James Foley’s and writer Joseph Stefano’s forgotten heart-warmer fits in between Foley’s Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) and Fear (1996).

In the Depression era South Philadelphia, the 12-year old Gennaro (Jerry Barone) lives with his widowed mom (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and his ailing Grandpa (Al Pacino).

One hot summer day back in 1933, Gennaro is trying to raise the two bits (25 cents) to see a movie, but Grandpa sits outside holding tight to his last quarter. Grandpa has unfinished business with a woman from his past and gets Gennaro to act as his go-between.

The acting is excellent, with Pacino outstanding. The 85-minute film is short and sweet. The script is charming. And, above all, the movie tells a cute, appealing, and, yes, heart-warming story.

Yet, of course, it is a forgotten movie, taking very little money. Did it really gross only $26,282 in the US? Ah well, it says here it grossed 99,572,000 lire in Italy in the happy pre-euro days when you got 2,500 lire to the pound sterling.

Barone is known only for Two Bits.

Joseph Stefano (1922–2006). Horror screenwriter Stefano’s first screenplay was The Black Orchid (1958) just before he did the script for his new friend Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960). He went on to Eye of the Cat, Futz and Psycho IV: The Beginning.

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