Twenty Bucks

Twenty Bucks

Year: 1993

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Keva Rosenfeld

Drama

When you pass the buck, the last thing you expect is change. A story about the life of a twenty dollar bill as it weaves in and out of the various lives of several people.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Twenty Bucks yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Twenty Bucks (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Twenty Bucks (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 20th century (likely 1980s or 1990s)

The events are set during a period characterized by urban hustle, street life, and a distinct cultural atmosphere typical of the late 1900s. The references to a police precinct, ATM, and certain social behaviors suggest a timeframe around the 1980s or early 1990s.

Location

New York City

The movie takes place predominantly in New York City, a global metropolis known for its iconic skyline, cultural diversity, and bustling streets. It is famous for landmarks like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty, serving as a symbol of opportunity and complexity.

🗽 Urban 🏙️ City 🏦 Financial hub

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Main Characters – Twenty Bucks (1993)

Meet the key characters of Twenty Bucks (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Angeline

A homeless woman who believes the $20 bill is her destiny to win the lottery. She is resourceful and persistent, holding onto the bill through various hardships, symbolizing hope and faith in luck.

🌟 Dreamer 🧓 Resilient 🌀 Lucky

Jack Holiday

A wedding guest who perceives the $20 as a symbol of his father's humble beginnings. His nostalgic attitude reflects his appreciation for heritage and tradition, but he is also caught up in the significance of small gestures.

🎩 Traditional 💼 Nostalgic 🧸 Sentimental

Sam Mastrewski

A groom-to-be who receives the bill as a wedding gift, illustrating themes of perception and value. His dilemma over the bill symbolizes the importance of meaning over monetary worth.

🤵 Romantic 💡 Thoughtful 🧾 Symbolic

Emily Adams

An aspiring writer who connects the bill to her late father’s dream of becoming a writer. She seeks meaning in the bill as a symbol of family legacy and personal ambition.

✍️ Artistic 💔 Nostalgic 🎯 Ambitious

Jimmy

A petty criminal involved in robberies that intertwine with the bill's journey. His actions reflect the darker side of urban life and the influence of desperation.

🚓 Rebellious 💥 Impulsive 🕵️‍♂️ Criminal

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Major Themes – Twenty Bucks (1993)

Explore the central themes of Twenty Bucks (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Chance

The film explores luck and destiny through the journey of a single $20 bill, highlighting how chance encounters can impact various lives in unpredictable ways. It underscores the randomness of fortune and the interconnectedness of everyday decisions.

🌀 Fate

The story emphasizes the theme of fate, as the bill passing through numerous hands symbolizes life's unpredictable course. Each character’s interaction with the bill reveals a different aspect of destiny shaping their personal stories and choices.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

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Explore Movie Threads

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Movies with Interconnected Lives like Twenty Bucks

Stories where a single item weaves together the fates of multiple strangers.Find more movies like Twenty Bucks that explore how a single item connects the lives of strangers. These films share a similar narrative structure, using an object's journey to weave a tapestry of serendipitous encounters and reflect on the human condition through chance and fate.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows an anthology or mosaic structure, where the central plot device is the journey of an object passed from one character to the next. Each segment reveals a new story, but the object provides a cohesive through-line, building a larger thematic statement about interconnectedness, fate, or the flow of life in a community.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a unique narrative framework centered on an object. They create a similar feeling of whimsical discovery and philosophical reflection, blending individual character dramas into a unified whole that feels greater than the sum of its parts.

Bittersweet Whimsical Movies like Twenty Bucks

Playful, fable-like tales grounded by moments of genuine human struggle.Discover movies with a similar tone to Twenty Bucks, blending whimsical storytelling with poignant realism. If you liked the mix of quirky humor and melancholic moments in an urban fable, you'll find more films here that explore life's quirks and sorrows with a gentle, reflective touch.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often use a high-concept or slightly magical premise to explore the everyday human condition. The journey is not purely escapist; it deliberately incorporates darker or sadder events that contrast with the lighter tone, resulting in a story that feels both charming and emotionally honest.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their distinctive tonal balance. They share a core identity of being fundamentally whimsical or playful while refusing to shy away from life's harder edges, creating a specific, bittersweet vibe that is neither purely comedic nor purely dramatic.

Unlock the Full Story of Twenty Bucks

Don't stop at just watching — explore Twenty Bucks in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Twenty Bucks is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Twenty Bucks Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Twenty Bucks, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Twenty Bucks Summary

Twenty Bucks Timeline

Track the full timeline of Twenty Bucks with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Twenty Bucks Timeline

Twenty Bucks Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Twenty Bucks that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Twenty Bucks Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Twenty Bucks

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Twenty Bucks: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Twenty Bucks

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