2nd Chance

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1:26

2nd Chance

2022

1h 29m

Documentary

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In 1969 a bankrupt pizzeria owner, Richard Davis, invented the modern-day bullet proof vest. To prove that it worked, he shot himself -- point blank -- 192 times. He launched Second Chance, which became the largest body armor company in the world, saving over 3,000 lives. Charming and brash, Davis also directed over eight hours of cult marketing films, both violent and humorous, and became a celebrity figure among police and gun owners across the country. But when a police officer dies wearing a Second Chance vest, Davis's friend and employee becomes a government whistleblower in a case against the company. This exploration of Davis' rise and fall reveals a man of contradictions, decades of reckless lies and threats and the nature of power and impunity in America.

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Critics Consensus

Entertaining and informative, 2nd Chance uses its subject's incredible story to offer a dark reflection of the American dream.

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

09/28/2023

American filmmaker Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes) segues into documentaries without a hitch in this thoughtful, quietly expressive portrait of a quintessentially American entrepreneur.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

12/13/2022

Fascinating and surprisingly entertaining.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

12/09/2022

3/4

There’s something irresistible about the story of the former pizza guy who invented the modern concealable bulletproof vest, and Richard Davis isn’t about to let the doubts about his origin story...

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Sumner Forbes

Film Threat

01/05/2023

6.5/10

...Strongest when Bahrani focuses on the interpersonal relationships.

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Alex Billington

FirstShowing.net

12/30/2022

9/10

Who would've thought that a documentary about some bozo that invented a new bulletproof vest would be this fascinating and this unsettling?! But that's exactly why I had to watch this film and find out what it's all about and it's totally nuts!

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Leo Brady

AMovieGuy.com

12/23/2022

3.5/4

A constant factor of 2nd Chance is that it was a world of denial. Bahrani is breaking away those shells. He has made a documentary that speaks truthful and beyond just a simple subject.

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dave d

@RT34924333 10/17/2023

Ramin Bahrani's first feature documentary chronicles the founder of the modern-day bullet-proof vest, Richard Davis. The movie is much like Davis's business life: really interesting with a sad and rather unappealing and unfortunately lackluster conclusion. Davis is still alive and at over 80 he is most definitely an eclectic character. Bahrani squeezes all the juice he can, but an odd tangent late made this almost unwatchable. Nuanced and fascinating until it isn't, it won't be everyone's cup of Joe. If you like odd ducks give it a look! Final Score: 6.7/10

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Claire F

@RT52405057 07/08/2023

Very interesting. Who knew?

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Dwayne J

@RT85660428 02/12/2023

I really enjoyed this documentary. It's fascinating to listen to someone talk about their life but also knowing that he could not be completely honest with himself or the audience. The film is also a stark and very disturbing reminder that guns and violence will always be with us in America and we literally can do nothing about it.

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Ramin Bahrani

Director

Richard Davis

Self

Ramin Bahrani

Screenwriter

Daniel M. Turcan

Producer

Johnny Galvin

Producer

Charles Dorfman

Producer

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2nd Chance: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1969 a bankrupt pizzeria owner, Richard Davis, invented the modern-day bullet proof vest. To prove that it worked, he shot himself -- point blank -- 192 times. He launched Second Chance, which became the largest body armor company in the world, saving over 3,000 lives. Charming and brash, Davis also directed over eight hours of cult marketing films, both violent and humorous, and became a celebrity figure among police and gun owners across the country. But when a police officer dies wearing a Second Chance vest, Davis's friend and employee becomes a government whistleblower in a case against the company. This exploration of Davis' rise and fall reveals a man of contradictions, decades of reckless lies and threats and the nature of power and impunity in America.

Director: Ramin Bahrani
Producer: Daniel M. Turcan, Johnny Galvin, Charles Dorfman, Ramin Bahrani, Jacob Grodnik
Screenwriter: Ramin Bahrani
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Production Co: Lost Boulder Entertainment, Noruz Films, Samuel Marshall Films, Vespucci
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.7K
Runtime: 1h 29m