Watch A Bag of Hammers

A Bag of Hammers is a heartwarming indie comedy-drama from 2011 directed by Brian Crano. The movie tells the story of two friends, Ben and Alan, who are a couple of small-time con artists living in Los Angeles. Their scam of choice involves them pretending to be a pair of street maintenance workers, installing neon roadwork signs and charging homeowners for the service. However, their lives change when they take in a 12-year-old boy named Kelsey, who is neglected by his mother, and they unexpectedly find themselves becoming parental figures.

Jason Ritter plays Alan, the more reserved and responsible of the two friends, while Jake Sandvig portrays Ben, the wilder and more carefree of the two. The two have excellent on-screen chemistry, with Sandvig's energetic performance providing a perfect foil to Ritter's more measured, subdued character.

Chandler Canterbury plays Kelsey, a precocious and intelligent kid who is forced to fend for himself due to his mother's neglect. Canterbury imbues Kelsey with a sense of vulnerability and maturity beyond his years, making him a sympathetic and endearing character.

Despite its comedic moments, A Bag of Hammers deals with some serious themes, including child neglect, poverty, and the struggle to find a sense of purpose in life. The movie explores how the characters' relationships with each other evolve as they find a sense of purpose in taking care of Kelsey, and how their involvement in the scamming world begins to take a backseat to their newfound responsibilities.

The film also features an impressive supporting cast, including Rebecca Hall as Lynette, a woman who becomes entangled in Alan and Ben's scam and ultimately becomes a surrogate mother figure for Kelsey, and Carrie Preston as Melinda, Kelsey's irresponsible, neglectful mother.

A Bag of Hammers is a poignant, heartfelt film that will evoke both laughter and tears from its audience. It showcases the talented performances of its lead actors, as well as the deft touch of director Brian Crano in crafting an emotionally resonant story. This movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in human stories that explore the meaning of family, responsibility, and personal growth.

A Bag of Hammers is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 50.