Two Bits

The most unpardonably sentimental movie of the holiday season, TWO BITS is a dispiriting surprise from director James Foley, who previously gave us tough, noirish flicks like AT CLOSE RANGE and AFTER DARK, MY SWEET. Set in Depression-era South Philly, it's the story of young Gennaro (Jerry Barone) and his infinitely wise, loving Grandpa (Al Pacino), whose death portentously coincides with the opening of a new movie palace. The cast is terrific, but the screenplay is chock-full of heartwarming Grandpa-isms ("Your belly needs, your heart wants"). It's a bit of a shock to discover that screenwriter Joseph Stefano was also the author of PSYCHO.