The film deserves all ten stars. It has everything. Great acting, good plot, but the themes - oh, my, the themes!There is friendship and the influences that tug and tear at it. Would the two men who are slacker/criminals stay together and remain the 'bros' they seem to be for life? There is family and what makes a family. What used to be revered - the role of father - is denied by one man and assumed by two others. No one seems qualified to assume the role, not even the state providing services. But then, that is what every man who becomes a father needs to ask himself: am I good enough for this job?There is the role of the mother. Being a biological mother with a strong love for her child, a woman fails and fails again. Ultimately, she can't cope with the repeating failure and she removes herself from the family - permanently. How a woman can feel the total responsibility on her weak shoulders is portrayed so accurately in this film, it brings tears. At one point, she asks an interviewer, 'Can you help me?' The shock is: he can't. Or he won't.There is the role of teacher. Someone who has to go by the rules, even when he may suspect that the rules are going to not play out to the benefit of a child. Then there is, for me the most important, what makes a stable relationship without sex? My impression was that these two men are not homosexuals and don't become homosexuals. Yet, their bond is strong enough to keep them in the project of a lifetime - raising a child to adulthood. At the very least, you hope that when a man and woman marry, they can get that far - to raise a child to be a young successful independent adult. But often don't! Even same-sex marriage suffer from the same maladies. Two friends? What are the odds that they could? There is the resilience of the young boy. Does every young person come so well equipped? Why did he turn out to have a future NOT behind bars but with a chance at a real education? Why is the fear that the child with a background stained by tragedy is somehow less equipped to deal with bad influences, whether while growing up or when operating as an adult? There is so much to think about having seen this movie - that it is almost TOO thought-provoking. It's a feel-good movie AND a downer movie. People are poor. Women suffer in relationships that strain their abilities to cope, and when they and children are abandoned. All too acceptable and 'normal' in today's world. There are no easy answers, not from watching this story unfold. Yet, it is worth every second of watching!

Just saw this beautiful little movie about a difficult subject. I loved it! Two young adults taking on the responsibility of a young neglected boy......I should say two young adults, who's job is to steal cars, with their own set of family secrets, take on the responsibility of a neglected boy. That story seems impossibly unrealistic, but the way it unfolds makes you (the viewer) a believer. I do have a criticism, the home the boy lived in was a mess, but it didn't quite look as horribly bad as described by Melanie. However the character was on point about how terrible a life Kelsey was living in. Carrie Preston's portrayal of an overwhelmed mother, she kind of played this role before in Law and Order Criminal Intent, but this time she got to stretch and really explore the complexities of a woman on edge. Very creative to end the movie credits with more movie. So many use the outtakes as a lasting laugh, but director Brian Crano, tells more story. Thought this was brilliant!!

I was first drawn in by the poster to watch this film. A friend of mine had recommended it and I thought I would give it a chance. I was looking to watch a film that made me laugh and cry, and this is exactly what this film did! I am a fan of Carrie Preston and Rebecca Hall as well. I am now a fan of the other actors as well! Everyone fit their role so wonderfully! The plot moved along very nicely and I was surprised to find myself so emotional after I had just been laughing at something in the prior scene. I wish there were more independent films like this. A wide audience can identify with each of the characters. A beautiful film.

The thing that makes me connect with independent films is that they make you think. Hollywood blockbusters just don't seem all that poignant anymore. For this reason I am glad that Netflix suggested A Bag of Hammers to me. It tells the story of two lifelong friends whose bond was developed over hardships in childhood. To make ends meet these two have a very lucrative career as con men. Their lives and friendships are tested when they inherit an orphaned boy, a boy in whom they see a lot of their own struggles of youth.I really connected with the cast and was genuinely touched by Jason Ritter's speech on the Bag of Hammers that is in the film. It had the perfect feel for a modern independent film with a modest budget, realistic locations and important message that tackles modern-day dilemmas. It is a unique take on the coming of age story, not just for the orphaned boy, but for the two con men who must finally come to grips with growing up.