''Two Bits'' is a 1995 American

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by James Foley and starring

Al Pacino Alfredo James Pacino (; ; born April 25, 1940) is an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Al Pacino, numerous accolades: including an Aca ...

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (born November 17, 1958) is an American actress and singer. She made her Broadway debut in the 1980 revival of '' West Side Story'', and went on to appear in the 1983 film '' Scarface'' as Al Pacino's character's si ...

and Jerry Barone. It was written by

Joseph Stefano Joseph William Stefano (May 5, 1922 – August 25, 2006) was an American screenwriter, known for adapting Robert Bloch's novel as the script for Alfred Hitchcock's film ''Psycho'', and for being the producer and co-writer of the original ''The ...

, who considered the film a personal project, with a semi-biographical story. The title refers to the American slang term " two bits", for a quarter dollar.

Plot

It is a hot summer day in 1933 in

South Philadelphia South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south and the Schuylkill River to the west.Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (born November 17, 1958) is an American actress and singer. She made her Broadway debut in the 1980 revival of '' West Side Story'', and went on to appear in the 1983 film '' Scarface'' as Al Pacino's character's si ...

as Luisa Spirito *

as Grandpa * Patrick Borriello as Tullio *

Andy Romano Andrew Romano (June 15, 1941 – September 14, 2022) was an American actor, known for playing "J.D.", an outlaw motorcyclist and right-hand henchman of the character Eric von Zipper (played by Harvey Lembeck) in the 1960s Beach Party movies (w ...

as Dr. Bruna * Donna Mitchell as Mrs. Bruna * Mary Lou Rosato as Aunt Carmela *

Joe Grifasi Joseph G. Grifasi (born June 14, 1944) is an American character actor of film, stage and television. Grifasi was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Patricia (née Gaglione) and Joseph J. Grifasi, a skilled laborer. Grifasi graduated from B ...

as Uncle Joe *

Rosemary De Angelis Rosemary De Angelis (April 26, 1933 – April 16, 2020) was an American stage, screen, and television actress. Early life Rosemary De Angelis was born on April 26, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Francis and Antoinette (née Donofrio) De Angel ...

as Mrs. Conte *

Ron McLarty Ronald William McLarty (April 26, 1947 – February 8, 2020) was an American actor, playwright, and novelist. He also worked as an audiobook narrator, in which role he recorded over 100 titles and received many Audie Awards. McLarty appeare ...

as Irish * Charley Scalies as Ballyhoo Driver *

Joanna Merlin Joanna Merlin (born Joann Ratner; July 15, 1931) is an American actress and casting director who has worked with Stephen Sondheim and starred in the original Broadway production of ''Fiddler on the Roof''. She has written two acting guides and i ...

as Guendolina *

Geoff Pierson Geoff Pierson is an American actor known for his starring television roles on ''Dexter'', '' Unhappily Ever After'', ''Grace Under Fire'', '' 24'', ''Ryan's Hope'', and '' Designated Survivor''. He has guest-starred in dozens of other TV shows. ...

as Dr. Wilson * Karen Shallo as Woman in Red * Nick Discenza as Father of Deceased

Awards

The film was nominated for two

Young Artist Awards The Young Artist Award (originally known as the Youth in Film Award) is an accolade presented by the Young Artist Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to honor excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young ...

, Best Family Feature and Best Young Leading Actor (Jerry Barone).

External links

* * * 1995 films 1995 drama films American drama films Films directed by James Foley Films set in Philadelphia Films with screenplays by Joseph Stefano Films set in 1933 Films scored by Carter Burwell 1990s English-language films 1990s American films {{1990s-drama-film-stub