Product Details

• Actors: Josh Hutcherson, Hayden Panettiere, Alfred Molina, Lauren Bacall, Billy Boyd
• Directors: Lawrence Roeck
• Writers: Carlos De Los Rios
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Experience Media Studios
• DVD Release Date: July 3, 2012
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B007IU8YY4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,316 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

A 15 year old art prodigy abandoned by his drug addicted mother finds refuge in the picturesque art village of Carmel-by-the-sea, California. While trying to survive on his own, he is introduced to the high dollar underground world of art forgery.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Caramel by the Sea July 25, 2012

By AmentLVR

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

JHutch is an artistically-talented 15-year-old boy who's mother left him. He ends up entering-but-not-breaking into the home of an artist who eventually becomes his temporary guardian and who commissions a forged painting from him.

Basically, Everly (the artist/art dealer) takes advantage of Joshua's talent and the fact that he is a kid with no place left to go. In steps Anne Marie, who DOES in fact give a care about him. Turns out that Anne Marie and Everly have a little something in common.

Then there's Amber, who Joshua decides right away he has a thing for. He befriends her and her older brother and becomes a bit possessive of her. Amber (Hayden Panieterre) doesn't have a crucial role in this film. I think they just threw her in for a romantic element.

Still confused about the little Irish guy. I'm not sure if he's supposed to be Everly's partner or his partner, partner if you catch my drift. Either way, he's a bit annoying.

Storyline was interesting enough, though I found that the movie is not nearly as dark as it is depicted in the trailer, which shows guns and plays some very dramatic music. No, it doesn't end up in a shoot-out or anything.

Anyway, this film is pretty predictable and very hurt-comforty. (JHutch cries like a champ. Prepare to have those heartstrings pulled). The acting is good, but the actual story is so-so. It was entertaining, and appropriate for younger ages (Hardly any profanity, no sex, but a bit of punching). Not a bad movie, considering.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cast! Great location! Great score! Great movie! July 5, 2012

By stephenspaeth

Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase

The beautiful scenery of Carmel, in combination with a great cast and score, make this movie a great one. I really look forward to more from this director...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Stellar cast, gentle film, I wanted and expected more March 2, 2013

By E. Hernandez VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

THE FORGER (a/k/a CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Prod. Josh Hutcherson/Carlos De Los Rios, Writ. Carlos De Los Rios/Lawrence Roeck, Dir. Lawrence Roeck, 2012, 110 minutes) was sort of fun, humorous 'after-school-special' type drama that kept me watching.

Josh Hutcherson plays Joshua Mason, a Carmel, California kid of immense misfortune. His horrifying monster of a mother, drug addict and child abuser, abandons him in a motel room where he is later found. Though he is supposed to be 15, Joshua somehow eludes school and even foster care. He is taken under the wing of a suave art forger (Alfred Molina) who needs Joshua's immense artistic talents.

One thing simultaneously refreshing and frightening is the art forgery lesson this film teaches. Never have I seen a film specifically oriented this way, but it felt quite real to me. More real than the drama it enfolded.

Along the way he meets the wonderful, immortal Lauren Bacall as Anne-Marie, the local eccentric millionairess. There is a scene when the two hug, Lauren and Josh, and I wondered: Does that boy know he is hugging HOLLYWOOD?! Did he have any idea of the person with whom he was sharing a scene? Not only do I maintain my crush on the beautiful but eternally wooden Hutcherson, now I actually sort of hate him for being a big-time producer AND hugging Lauren Bacall!!

What next, he gets to play Peter O'Toole's great-grandson with Colin Firth as his father??

This is a gently funny and gently moral tale; its PG-13 rating is well-deserved, and I see a greater future for Hutcherson as producer than as an actor - though he can keep doing acting as long as one day he plays that dream gay role I fully expect of him.... Meanwhile, don't miss this colorful, meaningful film that somehow seems to float aimlessly in spite of all the drama.

I'm not too sure the director knew what he was trying to say here: it is his first picture. But they all did a hell of a job trying. As for Lauren Bacall, I imagine this was like a mini-vacation for the likes of her! Is there anyone left alive today who is her equal?!

With the additional talents of Billy Boyd, Adam Godley, an incredibly gorgeous Scott Eastwood (yes, Clint's son whose real name is Scott Reeves), and Dakota-Fanning-lookalike Hayden Panetierre as Joshua's love interest. Filmed on location in Carmel, California.

HUTCHERSON, INC.:

There's a passing of the torch evident here for Kentucky-born Hutcherson, who additionally has had to suffer rumors about his gay self. Here he is, in a film he produced, costarring with Lauren Bacall and Alfred Molina. Note, the only thing of interest he's done since this film is The Hunger Games, with whatever number of sequels to follow. Hutcherson started out as a mere boy doing TV until he landed the part of "the hero boy" in Polar Express. He then popped up conspicuously in Robin Williams' lame comeback comedy RV, playing Williams' son. He then starred in Bridge To Terabithia which annoyed a lot of people for some reason.

Hutcherson was sort of reborn as a sex symbol in Journey to the Center of Earth, by which time it was clear somebody was seeing to this boy's meteoric rise to stardom. After suffering The Kids Are All Right, Hutcherson showed his sweet self in the sequel to JOURNEY, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy).

After he finally 'hit it big' in the overblown HUNGER GAMES he's gone on to star in a very busy 2013 schedule: the sequel THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (see him for now in Chase the Stars: The Cast of the Hunger Games), the remake RED DAWN, PARADISE LOST (based on the true story of the West Memphis Three) and he will of course be doing a second sequel to JOURNEY: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3.

If he's not careful, he'll be the next Mel Gibson (in the best sense of the description). Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Excruciatingly Slow Movie October 21, 2012

By avidreader

Format:DVD

This was kind of a cheesy Hallmark card movie. The story was interesting, but there was no feeling in it. Cheesy narration and endless repetitive piano loops made it difficult for me to watch. I almost turned it off a few times but I found the forgery process and identification to be semi-interesting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars One star for Josh Hutcherson August 6, 2012

By Krystina

Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase

Rented this movie to watch because of Josh Hutcherson. One star for the part where he bandages his hand wound after he showers, otherwise don't waste your money. Terrible movie, there's a reason it was a straight to DVD release.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! stunning little idie film July 5, 2012

By Movie buff

Format:DVD

This a charming film. loved Bacall's performance- it has such a classic hollywood feel to it. found the mother's drug scene to be a little cartoonish but other than that what an incredible job by a first time director. The Eastwoods star in this too.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful scenes of Carmel alone make this worth watching August 8, 2012

By resmitty

Format:DVD

It's a reasonably good movie, not great, but good. Filmed entirely in Carmel, CA, movie goes out of its way to show off the gorgeous coast and scenery of this very special coastline area. Sadly the only subtitles are in Spanish, but at least there are English closed captions. My wife needs these to "hear" movies now. We'd never buy this for our collection, and may well never watch it a second time, but we're both glad we saw it today, and both agree on 3 star rating. The young (15) man's caseworker was exemplary in researching everything and everyone to get him the help he needed and the right place to stay. His mother was a druggy, violent, and abusive--and had abandoned him completely. He had a special talent for drawing and painting, and was spectacular in instantly duplicating the strokes and techniques of masters. He was also a nice kid, with lots to learn, and it was enjoyable seeing him apologize well and sincerely to girl he liked, and gain a 2nd and then a 3rd chance with her. Way she handled it all was perfect.