Twelve

In 1985, Joel Schumacher succeeded very convincingly with his film "St. Elmo`s Fire" in processing the problems and fears of young people on the cusp of adulthood into an entertaining film. A quarter of a century later, Schumacher tries this again with "Twelve". But while he certainly succeeds with his 26th directorial effort on the surface, the viewer is treated to too much reality and far too little entertainment.

The new drug Twelve is a hit among New York's affluent youth. The drug acts like a mix of cocaine and ecstasy, making it the perfect party drug for the bored teens of New York's upper class. Lionale (Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent), a dealer, offers White Mike (Chance Crawford), who dropped out of school after his mother's death and has been dealing drugs to his ex-students ever since, the chance to bring Twelve to the people during the upcoming Spring Break party season. But for White Mike, the new drug is too hot and he tries to stay out of the business. But through his cousin, White Mike is unwillingly drawn into the Twelve business, which, as it soon turns out, could well prove fatal for all involved...

The problem with "Twelve", based on the 2000 cult novel "Twelve" by Nick McDonell, is neither the production itself, nor the actors. Whether "Gossip Girl" star Chance Crawford, Julia Roberts niece Emma Roberts, Lenny Kravitz` daughter Zoe Kravitz or Rory Culkin, brother of "Kevin - Alone at Home" star Macaulay Culkin, they all convince with very good and authentic-looking performances.

It is rather the story and the way in which it is told that gets in the way of "Twelve". At the heart of the story are shallow and bored characters. And their "feeling"about life was very well conveyed to the screen. It's just unfortunate that it's shallow and boring. It is almost impossible to identify with the characters or to muster any form of emotion towards their fates. Thus, Schumacher could almost be accused of making a too authentic film that fails to captivate for this very reason.

Very well acted and engagingly directed, "Twelve" exudes a coldness that may do justice to the inner lives of its characters, but unfortunately also leaves the audience cold as well. And therefore the film is also only: conditionally worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp