In this film, twelve  is a potent mixture of heroin and cocaine. It is expensive and highly addictive. The film Twelve (screenplay by Jordan Melamed based on the novel by Nick McDonell) is a straight up tale of drug dealing and violence among over privileged New York teens. But some sharply drawn characters and original direction elevate this film above others in its genre.

White Mike (Chace Crawford) is coping with the death of his mother by dealing marijuana to his classmates, who go to fancy private schools and have rich, neglectful parents.  They are an unlikable bunch, led by self centered blonde Sara (Esti Ginzburg) and pretty followers like Jessica (Emily Meade). Sara is interested in manipulating men and becoming famous. Jessica fights the pressure of getting accepted by a good college by becoming addicted to the new drug. White Mike only deals pot, but Lionel (rapper 50 Cent) his scary supplier in Harlem, will deal twelve to Jessica. White Mike does not take drugs, and treats his classmates with politeness. His friend Molly (Emma Roberts) calls him Michael, and lives in another part of town. She does not know that White Mike is a drug dealer, and he wants it to stay that way. When White Mike’s cousin is murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, Mike’s worlds begin to collide and collapse.

The film uses voiceover narration by Kiefer Sutherland to tell the story. This gives the film a strange fable like quality that is somewhat at odds with its gritty feel, but I think it works. The female students talk to the camera about popularity and each other in a way that seems natural. Their vacuous conversations seem a logical continuation of this. The high school nerds like Chris (Rory Culkin) allow themselves to be used by the popular crowd. The fact that they know they are being used makes the situation sadder. In addition to White Mike, the film focuses on Jessica, the smart, pretty girl who becomes addicted to twelve. Jessica’s mother (Ellen Barkin, effective in a small role) is one of the few adults in the film and gives some insight into Jessica’s attraction to drugs. One of my favorite scenes in the film has Jessica hallucinating among her large collection of teddy bears. In high childlike voices, the bears discuss her death.

Director Joel Schumacher uses copious amounts of white in this film. Mike’s many dream and fantasy sequences involving the illness and death of his mother, are all a bright white with few props.  The unnatural look of these scenes emphasizes the emotional content, and their rawness is moving. White Mike’s name is never explained but there are several possibilities. Is there an African American drug dealer named Mike? Is Mike a good guy in the world of vicious drug dealers? Is he pure because he never drinks or takes drugs? Whatever the reason, he is the film’s most likable character.

Chace Crawford delivers a strong performance that anchors this film. He is handsome, but  he is a believable teen. He exudes charm and sensitivity and his expressive blue eyes give him a vulnerable quality. In the scenes with Molly, he is warm and considerate and the two have a nice chemistry. Emma Roberts (daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts) is lovely and sweet as the innocent Molly. Emily Meade makes the wealthy but neglected Jessica sympathetic rather than annoying, and I felt pain at her growing addiction. Rapper 50 Cent is charismatic and terrifying as drug dealer Lionel, a guy who has no conscience. The scene where Jessica offers sex to Lionel in exchange for drugs is the film’s most disturbing, and I could not stop thinking about it. Credit Meade and 50 Cent for truly convincing performances here. Rory Culkin delivers a fine performance as nerdy Chris, who is terrorized by his older brother. He is likable and sensitive, and in this sea of talented young actors, Culkin stands out.

I have mixed feelings about Twelve. It held my attention and I was invested in the fate of some of its characters. Some of the sequences were tense and exciting. But it was hard to sympathize with young people who have no money worries and access to the best schools. They seem unaware and undeserving of their privileged lives. The film has a somewhat satisfying, but somewhat predictable ending. Is it must see? No, but I liked and appreciated it while I watched it.

Twelve. Directed by Joel Schumacher.  Chace Crawford (White Mike) Rory Culkin (Chris), Philip Ettinger (Hunter) Esti Ginzburg (Sara Ludlow), 50 Cent (Lionel (as Curtis Jackson)), Zoë Kravitz (Gabby), Emily Meade (Jessica Brayson), Emma Roberts (Molly), Ellen Barkin (Jessica’s Mother) and Kiefer Sutherland (Narrator (voice)). Hannover House, 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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