Twenty Bucks (1993) User Reviews (33)

One of the most creative scripts ever written!

[chicothekid · 7/10 · 2 February 2001]

If you ever decide to doubt the power that one incredible idea can do for a movie, you have desperately got to see this! Twenty Bucks is one of the most creative ideas ever made into a movie and will definitely earn a few laughs for the writing alone. While there is no one main character here, the story revolves around a twenty dollar bill. The movie opens as the money enters circulation, and ends when it is mangled and ready to be burned. The life of the money is the story of the movie, and it's just delightful! As it changes hands from one person to the next, it has a profound impact on some people, and no impact on others. At times, it appears that it is a good luck charm, and at others a curse sent from God. Steve Buscemi, Brendan Fraser, Gladys Knight, Elizabeth Shue, Christopher Lloyd, and William H. Macy all get their hands on the money, and there are several others as well.

Apparently, this screenplay was written several years ago by Andre Bohem and nothing was ever done with it. After quite a long period of time, Andre's son Leslie got ahold of the script and modernized it a bit, and the end result is magnificent! While there aren't any acting performances here that are going to melt your hearts, each star is really enjoyable to watch in one way or another. The casting director did a fantastic job of lining up so many recognizable faces, and I found it hilarious that the stripper at the bachelor party (Melora Walters), also played the funeral director near the end of the movie! I knew I had seen her face somewhere before and couldn't see it until I saw the credits. When I realized they were the same person, I busted out laughing, and yet was still able to see the incredible irony of the whole situation.

If you are watching this because you like one of the actors, then you very well could be disappointed by what you see. No one of the actors here has a tremendous amount of screen time, but all are quite good to watch. If you just want to see something different than the normal hollywood crap, then this is absolutely perfect!

Good Cast; Fair Story

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 4 September 2006]

This is a series of short stories, detailing what happens to people holding a particularly twenty-dollar-bill as it switches from owner to owner. Several of the segments are quite good, my favorites being with the holdup men: Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi. (Now there's two interesting characters actors, for you!)

It's not "familar fare"with strippers, profanity and the usual immoral messages that filmmakers love to give us. I was sorry to see that little old lady Linda Hunt use the Lord's name in vain.

Overall, a decent "rental" but not a purchase. The cast is more interesting and deep than the story.

Interesting but forgettable.

[wayofthecass · 6/10 · 5 October 2007]

One of those strange little independent films that pops up late one night on your television set occasionally and makes you ask "where the hell has this been hiding?" That's not to say that it's a great movie or anything but it certainly is interesting. The premise is portrayed by some as genius but is in fact pretty simple.

The film follows a $20 note around, sometimes deviating to follow characters who are not in it's possession , or at least have not had their hands on it yet. The film is directed in a sloppy fashion at times including a poorly edited scene involving the Gladys Knight character scaring some kids at a diner window and for the best part lacks the style its premise eludes to. I think it would have been a lot more memorable , though a hell of a lot less subtle, if the likes of Tarentino had got their hands on it but that I suppose is neither here nor there. As for Gladys Knight's involvement it acts as a useless cameo of which there are a few. Also the storyline involving her character's grandson added nothing but a poor attempt at humour by an over confident young actor and his unconvincing first love in a short story theme lifted from 'American Graffiti' about an underagers' eventful attempts to obtain alcohol.

As has been acknowledged by most commentators Christopher Lloyd's scenes with Steve Buscemi(who must now be recognised as the patron saint of independent American pictures) , centering around a cold and calculated armed robber and his new , loose cannon, partner are the standout of the film. By the end of the picture you feel let down by Lloyd's character not re-entering the fray. However Elizabeth Shue is not far behind as she also gives an impressive account as a struggling writer. Also watch out for Ross Geller , yes I know that's not his real name, in an early pre-Friends role portraying a character who almost acts as a prototype for Shwimmer's most impressive outing in a film role as one of the slimy pioneer surgeon's of 'Breast Men'. What let the film down for me in the acting department was Brendan Fraser who produced an uninspired performance as an uncertain groom to be whose character admittedly suffered from a complete lack of explanation and development. Fraser seemed to be kind of sleep walking through a role which was supposed to be both sympathetic and misunderstood. Instead he just comes across as a loser who wasn't grateful for what he had.

Some unnecessarily elaborate and quick plot developments which seemed designed to but failed to deliver any laughs , ie- a cocaine dealer organizing a fishing tournament for kids one of who ends up phoning a sex chat line, only helped to frustrate one into wondering what was happening to the main characters and when would we see them again? Though I must also note nicely executed little cameos by William H. Macy as a fidgety , bored cop and Linda Hunt as preachy , pretentious vagrant whose constant speeches ultimately cost her the destiny which she believes is about to be bestowed upon her, redeemed the scenes that included them and in Hunt's case tied the movie up nicely.

Despite all of the famous stars a viewing of the film pretty much awakens one to why it never got any kind of major cinematic release. For in the end it's premise and casting somewhat flattered to deceive. A more ambitious and brave director could have elevated it above the average fair which it ultimately is. I give it 6 / 10.

If you liked this or have an interest in similar low budget star packed features then check out the far superior 'Trees Lounge' which starred and was directed by one of this film's most notable names Steve Buscemi.

The movie I recommend to friends who've seen "everything"

[omen626 · 11 November 2004]

I caught this on cable a few years back and was immediately intrigued. If you've ever wondered where your money has been, this movie will leave you a little more enlightened...and frightened! From the G-string of a stripper at a Bachelor's party to the hands of a ten year old in a fishing contest to the frantic hands of a homeless woman with Lottery winnings in mind - this bill's journey is surprising and hilarious. The stories around the main idea abound and are far from dull. Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi's scenes are, in my opinion, the highlight of this film. I've never understood why this movie is so wildly underrated. I've never come across any acquaintance that has seen it when I ask. If you get the chance, watch it, you won't be disappointed.

Awesome

[Ziglet_mir · 6/10 · 20 October 2010]

This movie was everything I thought it would be and wasn't-- all at the same time. Like the plot says it's a movie about the life of a twenty dollar bill and how it is woven amongst the lives of everyday people, but the movie presented this in a very interesting way. The bill does go around but we see it come back around and almost make it back to a few who once had possession of it. This makes the journey of the bill much more intriguing. Strong acting does this movie well too. My favorite scene was easily with Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi as two crooks. Elizabeth Shue and Brendan Fraser's stories are sad, but we can relate to them as normal people. It is interesting how the director shows so much of each character's personality and background with so little screen time. Throughout the entire film, there are recognizable faces and none of them disappoint. Watch out for a enjoyable cameo by Jeremy Piven too. Two thumbs up for the director for reviving an old script.

A fairly original premise

[smatysia · 6/10 · 17 July 2020]

A film with a fairly original premise. It has quite a cast, even though many of them had yet to achieve their ultimate fame. The movie is a set of loosely interlocking short stories with the titular framing device. The best part was the bit with Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi, but Elisabeth Shue did very well, and a shout-out to Melora Walters. Overall, though, it was just okay.

Not Forumlaic

[chron · 7/10 · 28 October 2020]

I liked this movie. It's not spectacular in any significant way, but it is technically solid in all aspects. The acting, direction, cinematography, and writing are all quite good.

I think what made this a better-than-average movie is that I could not predict where it was going. I like the vignette structure of movies (the exemplar being "Short Cuts"). This structure usually means that it is unpredictable - exactly what I like in a movie.

Well done.

writing exercise

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 16 November 2016]

A woman withdraws money from an ATM but a $20 bill gets away. Homeless Angeline (Linda Hunt) chases it down. The serial number strikes her as the winning numbers for the $14 million draw that night but a kid steals the bill. The story follows it passing from one person to the next. There is the groom Sam Mastrewski (Brendan Fraser) and a stripper (Melora Walters). There is the grandson and his girlfriend both underage trying to get alcohol. There is petty criminal Frank (Steve Buscemi) recruited by Jimmy (Christopher Lloyd) to go on a robbery spree. There is waitress aspiring-writer Emily Adams (Elisabeth Shue) and her boyfriend Neil. These and others characters are all connected by the $20 bill.

This is a high-concept film. It's more compelling as a concept than an actual film. The problem is that the $20 bill is nothing special. There is a reason why this story written so long ago has been sitting around. It's hard to make the story consistently compelling when the characters keep changing. Lloyd and Buscemi are a memorable duo but this is mostly a bunch of random people's stories. With such a flimsy piece of paper tying the movie together, it eventually falls apart. This is more of a writing exercise than a compelling watch.

Changing hands

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 3 August 2005]

Has anyone ever wonder what happens to that twenty dollar bill we received from the bank and we use to pay for an item a few minutes after? Well, that's the basic premise of this little gem of a movie. We saw it in its original release and were happily surprised to have "discovered" it. Unfortunately, this low budget indie by director Keva Rosenfeld and written by Leslie and Endre Bohem, didn't go far, as one would have wanted it to go. We caught it again on cable and in second viewing it still holds its promise.

Keva Rosenfeld has to be either well connected, or highly respected because the cast she put together is amazing. We see faces in the film from distinguished actors like Steve Buscemi, Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Shue, Linda Hunt, William H. Macy, David Schwimmer, and the others. Of course, most of them had not achieved recognition at the time, but their talent was all there for us to see and enjoy.

The film follows that twenty dollar bill until its surprising end at the bank when Angeline, the homeless woman, receives a brand new twenty in exchange for the original, but dilapidated bill.

This movie will delight anyone who wants to spend a happy time with a surprising and warm film.

Somewhat imaginative, far from entertaining

[migck · 3/10 · 15 July 2002]

This script was mildly original when it was written in 1935, but the poor performances and the inconsistent quality level make it impossible to recommend. Some of the vignettes are absolutely terrible and the dialogue is never natural. A few of the plot twists were creative, but I was very surprised to see it so highly rated here at the IMDB. A few scenes are worthwhile, it's as a film that if fails completely to entertain. If you like this sort of montage, run don't walk and get "Tales of Manhattan" (1942) a marvelous film that follows the life and times of a topcoat.

Swish!

[adam b · 9/10 · 13 January 1999]

The problem with movies that actually try not to insult your intelligence is that they are totally inaccessible and make you feel like you're sitting at a table in the high school cafeteria with the cool kids . . . they'll let you watch, but you should not be under any illusion that you belong. This is not the case with Twenty Bucks. I caught this one on UPN last Sunday and was amazed. It's a fascinating story of a $20 bill's journey in and out of the lives of people to whom it changes hands. Sometimes it's only there for a moment, sometimes it's there for days, sometimes it doesn't go where you might think it would go, but it's always an interesting story. This is a wonderful anthology film that manages to introduce many characters and get you brought up to speed on their lives in a brief period of time. And check out those credits! You know who these actors are, and it's obvious that no one was letting their ego get in the way of telling the story. It's a wonderful, lovingly crafted movie that is well worth your time to see.

Tales of a $20.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 17 June 2023]

The 1942 all atar 20th Century Fox drama "Tales of Manhattan" focused on the travels of a man's dress suit, some comic, a few tragic, a bit of romance thrown in, and ultimately a moving tale of spirituality and faith. This was based on a story written long before that film, and modernized seems very old fashioned even with a contemporary setting. It's a mixed bag of similar styles of story telling, some amusing, a few over the top, but featuring a cast that can't be beat, with many of the stars popping up throughout, including a sensational Linda Hunt who opens and closes the film as a very hopeful and cheery bag lady. She's the first one to get ahold of the $20 bill that crosses many hands until it returns to her.

The violent Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi (playing his stereotypical crude pessimist) sequence crosses with the story of a teenager on his birthday wanting some wine to share with his girlfriend, and in spite of being in bad taste has the best twist. Brendan Fraser pops up several times as the jilted groom who made a poor choice of what to do with the $20 he gets from his father-in-law to be, although it wasn't his fault for the situation he was in. Some actors are mere walk-on's, including singer Gladys Knight. Diane Baker is very moving as Elizabeth Shue's mother, her memories making amends to Shue for the last memories she had of her father. Not what I'd call a great film, but one with a few memorable moments and a few fast forwardable ones.

If you love irony, watch it!

[therica · 28 June 2000]

If you love irony, this is a movie for you! This is an incredible movie with a great storyline. The plot seems obvious if you read the summary but it's far more developed. The characters are each gems, and the actors playing them are of course, all top-notch names. I'd have to put this in the same category as 12:01, Groundhog Day and Short Cuts as far as the time/space ironies as lives and events intermix. If you like any of these, you'll love Twenty Bucks! Worth a hundred!

The worst movie ever

[xots · 1/10 · 13 December 1999]

This movie is by far the worst movie ever, The story line is weak and never shows what happens to the people after the 20 was left they hands. This really bugs me. It drags on and on with out any meaning, very boring. The only good thing was the cast, WOW, lots of big time actors and actress in it. But besides that it was horrible, terrible and repulsive, do yourself a favor, do not watch it.

I gave it a 1 out of 10

buck the system

[lee_eisenberg · 9/10 · 13 March 2007]

"Twenty Bucks" focuses on a $20 bill getting passed around from person to person, and how we get to see the people's lives: a man whose travels have consisted of a trip to the bowling alley, a drug dealer hosting a summer camp, some crooks plotting a robbery, and some people's attempts at relationships. It's a lighthearted but authentic look at the world of today (well, the world of 1993). And it always shows how people are determined to keep going no matter what happens.

Does the movie have any problems? Maybe some of the characters' lives work out too conveniently. But that really doesn't drag the movie down at all. They did a very good job with this movie, and I recommend it. Starring Linda Hunt, Brendan Fraser, Elisabeth Shue, Christopher Lloyd, Steve Buscemi and William H. Macy (happy birthday, William!).

Every piece of money has its own story.

[bart_brabants · 8/10 · 19 May 2001]

The variety of stories that surround the 20 bucks makes the movie non-Hollywood. I like the independent, non-Hollywood style of this particular movie with a plot that actually tells something and people who proof that you do not need a gigantic budget to create a refreshing film.

An underrated cinematic gem

[mystic80 · 21 March 2000]

Probably one of the best indies I've seen in a long time. This film monitors the life of a $20 bill from it's birth at an ATM machine to it's sudden death at an airport. It changes lives and it destroys lives with a surprisingly big all star cast from the likes of Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Elisabeth Shue, Christopher Lloyd, William H. Macy, and David Schwimmer among them. The performances are solid. Particular standout performances include David Schwimmer as a thinly veiled disguise of Ross as a whiny, neurotic who takes hair baldness prevention chemicals and Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi as a mismatched pair of convenience store robbers. Definitely a film that should be seen by all.

what Slacker should have been.

[changingshades · 9/10 · 11 April 2001]

I loved this movie. It really showed heart. Where as Slacker had a disjointed narrative with annoying unsympathetic characters, TB has a narrative DEVICE (something slacker desperately needed) to move the characters along. And yes while a few of the plot lines were left dangling like the reverend and Christopher Lloyd's character, I left this movie with a feeling of contentment and resolution that was sorely lacking in Slacker. A favorite for personal reasons to be sure, but still a great movie. 9 out of 10

Good movie

[hampscamaro · 8/10 · 23 November 2020]

Great storytelling. Equivalent to reading a good novel. Great characters who are connected by a twenty dollar bill. Definitely worth watching!

Surprisingly, I Have Never Heard Of This Movie Before.

[BigHardcoreRed · 6 August 2005]

Twenty Bucks is, quite simply, a movie about a $20 bill. You follow one bill in particular from one owner to the next since it first makes it into the general population from a regular ATM machine. This bill makes it's way through good people and bad, from homeless people to rich tycoons to drug dealers and back again. In this bill's life, it gets lost more than I would believe a normal $20 bill would. They are usually protected pretty well to be blowing around in the street constantly. Also, the bill stayed pretty much in the same area and even back and forth through the same hands a few times. All this may be unusual but when thinking on the subject, each bill's lifetime is as unique as our own and while unusual, not impossible.

Just like with our money, some people hold on to some bills longer than others and these people in the movie are the ones with the longer stories. Easily the most entertaining story was the one with Frank (Steve Buscemi) and Jimmy (Christopher Lloyd). Frank is a scam artist until persuaded by Jimmy he can make quite a bit more his way, robbing convenience stores. I felt like I wanted more from these two, which is probably why it was the best. It did not overdo it and make me sick of the characters.

This is is the type of movie you can recommend to those who have seen it all. It will keep you entertained for 90 minutes if nothing else. 7/10

follow that bill!

[ksf-2 · 8/10 · 3 February 2021]

When a twenty dollar bill gets lost and flies around the city, we follow along as it passes through various hands. Brendan Fraser is the groom. some huge names in this collection of short vignettes. Gladys Knight, without Pips. William Macy. David Schwimmer. Christopher Lloyd and Steve Buscemi may rob a jewelry story. the sound levels are so annoying. it goes high, it goes low, and about half the time it sounds like the microphone was in a coffee can. clever theme though. violence, cussing, we find out what happens to some of the characters, but we never find out what happens to others. such is life. it's fun. a slow patch in the middle, but mostly fun. and pay attention to the cast... we see some people more than once... interesting history of the script, according to the trivia section. story originally from 1935. check it out! directed by Keva Rosenfeld; he has done a mix of shorts, documentaries, TV, and this film.

Funny... need to say more?

[bellino-angelo2014 · 8/10 · 22 October 2022]

I heard about TWENTY BUCKS for years because of its cast, and also for the subject. When I finally saw it 3 days ago it even excedded my expectations.

It begins when a 20 dollar bill from an armored truck flies away and ends in various places: first to homeless Angeline (Linda Hunt), then is stolen to a boy that uses it for buying something in a bakery, then the baker gives the bill as change for a couple that has to buy a wedding cake, then Sam Mastrewski (Brendan Fraser) receives the bill as a present and gives it to a stripper who then uses it to buy some medicine from Mrs. McCormack, who then gives it to his grandson Bobby, and then the bill ends in a box of lost items in a police precinct, then in a fish that is picked up by a kid in a summer camp, then among the personal effects of a man that played bingo and suddenly died, and finally teared to shreds by Sam in an airport before leaving with a girl.

I explained the plot in the simplest way possible because the movie is essentially fun and is in episodes. There are some funny stories and some ok, but one stands out: when Frank (Steve Buscemi) casually meets former convict Jimmy (Christopher Lloyd) and join in a string of robberies although Frank ends up botching the robbery in a convenience store and is shot by Jimmy when he shows the 20 dollar bill Frank had at the beginning. All the cast members do a nice job, and the hilarious situations with the bill never failed to surprise me. It's also one of those movies that gives a nostalgic 90s vibe even for folks who didn't lived in those years (and this comes from a 23 year old).

Overall, one of those comedies that are clever without swearing or annoying its viewer, and also highly entertaining for the cast and situations. Not to be missed if you have a chance.

A new twist on an old story...

[nealjgauger · 7 January 2001]

This film was written in 1935 by screenwriter Endre Bohem shortly before his death. He never completed the script. It sat on a shelf in his archives for 55 years. Finally in 1990, his son, Leslie Bohem, found it and immediately fell in love with the concept. He completed the script, updated it for a more modern audience, and filmed it with director Keva Rosenfeld. In the film, a $20 bill is minted and sent to a bank. A mother with her hands full uses an ATM machine, drops the bill in her hassle, and the story begins. The rest of this film follows the bill through the hands of 12 complete strangers who, through various ways, pass the bill to one another. Along the way, the note weaves in and out of the lives of a street person, an aspiring writer, two thieves (a hilarious Steve Bucemi and Christopher Lloyd), and a stripper who also...well, I won't ruin it for you.

However, besides the inventive concept, it is fun to see many of today's brightest stars, when they were just starting out in the industry. Look for such faces as David Schwimmer(NBC's "Friends"), Elisabeth Shue(Leaving Las Vegas), William H. Macy(Fargo, Wag the Dog), Brendan Fraser(The Scout, George of the Jungle), and Steve Bucemi(Reservoir Dogs, The Big Lebowski).

This is a great film to watch with a group of friends. One tip, though. Don't keep pausing the film, or you might lose track of who has the bill.

One of the Best low-budget films.........

[bravos · 10/10 · 3 September 1999]

This is one of the Best low-budget films I've ever seen. The director weaves a wonderful, magical story around a $20 bill as it passes through the lives of a diverse group of characters.

A truly great unusual movie

[da_rokk · 10/10 · 19 November 1998]

This was by far one of the best movies I have ever seen. It had a unique approach to tell a story that followed the lives of people and different stages of their lives. I liked the way it showed what was going on in the life of the person about to get the bill.