Two For The Money Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Brandon Lang loves football: an injury keeps him from the pros, but his quarterback's anticipation makes him a brilliant predictor of games' outcomes. Needing money, he leaves Vegas for Manhattan to work for Walter Abrams advising gamblers. Walter has a doting wife, a young daughter, and a thriving business, but he has problems: a bum heart, a belief he's a master manipulator, and addictions barely kept in check. He remakes Brandon, and a father-son relationship grows. Then, things go awry. Walter may be running a con. The odds against Brandon mount.
| Al Pacino | Walter Abrams |
| Matthew McConaughey | Brandon Lang |
| Rene Russo | Toni Morrow |
| Armand Assante | Novian |
| Jeremy Piven | Jerry |
| Jaime King | Alexandria |
| Kevin Chapman | Southie |
| Ralph Garman | Reggie |
| Gedde Watanabe | Milton |
| Carly Pope | Tammy |
| Charles Carroll | Chuck |
| Gerard Plunkett | Herbie |
| Craig Veroni | Amir |
| James Kirk | Denny |
| Chrislyn Austin | Julia |
| D.J. Caruso |
6.10 out of 10 (8137 votes)
Visitor Reviews
This movie is terrible
posted on 17 Aug 2009Awful. I never really found a point to the film. It starts promising, but then it just never goes anywhere. There seemed to be no relationship development between the characters. One minute you think you have a grip on the character, then it completely shifts for no apparent reason. The acting is average. Rene Russo does what she does best, or at least does the only thing she ever does and plays a typical wife. I guess she does a good job, but she better considering that's the only character she ever plays. McConaghey is decent, even charming, but there is no common thread between his characters "real" personality, and his alter ego. Pacino is Pacino, dominating the scenes like usual, but this film is beneath him. It might even be beneath McConaghey, and he was in Sahara.
"Jerry Maguire" meets "Wall Street" by way of "Boiler Room"
posted on 07 Aug 2009TWO FOR THE MONEY (2005) ** Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, Rene Russo, Armand Assante, Jeremy Piven, Jaime King. (Dir: DJ Caruso)"Jerry Maguire" meets "Wall Street" by way of "Boiler Room"Matthew McConaughey usually plays against his good ol' Texas country boy with aplomb and charisma but in his latest leading-man turn downplays that with deploying his cornpone good naturedess to the stressing point of credibility in this cross of "Jerry Maguire" meeting "Wall Street" by way of "Boiler Room" in this drama centering on sports betting cum morality play.Cast as a former football hopeful whose dreams were crushed by a nasty on field injury, Brandon Lang settles for cold-calling telemarketing scams that lead to brighter days when his knack for picking wins for professional sports, namely football (both college AND pro) catches the eye of hugely successful Brooklyn based numbers runner Walter Abrams (Pacino chomping at the bit in a juicy, bombastic turn) who woos the young turk to turn to the dark side by joining his team of bettors which leads Lang to become a hot shot with the unlikely sobriquet of "John Anthony", an alias Abrams creates for his golden goose.Abrams is an alleged Gambling Anonymous survivor who claims he hasn't made a professional bet in 18 years (yet is running an on the cusp of illegal gambling business) promise to his skeptical gorgeous wife Toni Morrow (the always welcome beauty Russo) who is wise to her loving husband and father to their little girl yet is wary about the corruption of his latest conquest in the form of the highly naïve Lang who claims he doesn't even bet on his picks (yet has no qualms in basking in the quick ascending glory of his new pricey digs and fast lifestyle).The film's main fallacy is that it is very predictable and that Lang cannot be that believable in being so gullible to the surrounding he's found himself trapped in and Abrams' true colors come out about the half-way mark where most films would have the protagonist questioning his morality when Lang instead continues to literally gamble his good senses for a huge fall to come: it's all in the matter of timing. The jerry-rigged script by scribe Dan Gilroy (whose last known credit was the god awful "Chasers" in 1994) allegedly based on a true story is marred by Caruso's ham fisted direction (he's responsible for the ludicrous Angelina Jolie serial killer junk flick "Taking Lives" last year) that has no grace or subtlety despite the fine acting by his leads. McConaughey effortlessly allows his IQ to take a beating for his not-too-swift character that finally grows a brain in the ridiculously paced final act (the trite edit of a on-the-line football game's last play with a face off between Pacino and Russo's marriage-on-the-brink confrontation is head-shakingly bad). Pacino meanwhile shifts from his garrulous full-of-vigor shark in lamb's clothing to Mamet echoes of his "Glengarry Glen Ross" Rick Roma in a show-stopping soliloquy at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting about the nature of losing is fun in its grandiosity; intensity like his should be bottled. Russo acquits herself nicely as she usually does by making her former addict survivor a resolve of understanding to a fault.What is unremarkable is just how familiar and easy to figure-down-the-line as to what will eventually happen ultimately is the biggest gambit and cheat for the audience. One only wishes the filmmakers had paid closer attention to the snappy chemistry between its leads that could've made this a "Hustler" type of fable.
Lame title but good movie with lots of 12 step program philosophy
posted on 16 Jul 2009Al Pacino is the greatest and most natural talent in the movie biz. Everything he does rings so true, and we can't take our eyes of him when he is doing it. He sure has left DeNiro in the dust and is now America's premier senior actor.TFTM is a love story, oh yes it is, because all stories are love stories, every single one. The presence of love or the absence of it is at the heart of all stories, and this one is no exception as there are no exceptions. But this one is so special due to Pacino and his magnificent talent in making us believe this fairy tale was real and magical. Renee Russo was very good as his checkered-past wife and chief backsliding preventer(gambling), and Matthew McConaughy was terrific cast as the hunky, can't miss, football score prognosticator who made it big in Pacino's sports line empire and then......well, see the film. Ever see Wall Street? Nuff said. Armand Assante was also good in a small but easy role....the bad guy who hated losing, as opposed to a real addict who loves it as it reinforces his self hate. Al spewed lots of spot-on 12 step program self-help philosophy and personal insights throughout, and as we are all in our own personal 12 step program of some type or another, it kept my attention glued to him as his brilliance alone was worth the ticket price.Pacino's character had all the good/great lines, as he should have had. Especially great was his stunning address to a 12 step program group about addiction. Believe me, he was right on the money. But, how his really bad heart stood up to all his manic shenanigans, drinking, and smoking, I'll never know. Perhaps he needed them to really feel alive. Hey, it's a movie.Whether you agree or disagree with gambling, this film is sure to entertain you greatly with its NYC rich slickness and deep look inside the huge sports line "business". Or, see it for your latest Al Pacino fix, and you'll be glad you won that gamble, you addict you.
Will Be Lost On The General Population ...Myself Among Them
posted on 02 Jul 2009I don't think I've ever been addicted to anything (with the exception of caffeine …which doesn't count, right? Right! I didn't think so!) But taking a look at something so addictive and so expensive is a bit unnerving. Two hundred billion dollars a year in sports gambling? That's "billion." Whoa. The problem with this, however, is that "normal" people won't have any idea about the machinations behind such a business, and that is one of this film's biggest failings. Myself never having been a sports gambler, I simply couldn't relate to this shady business nor could I have cared.The main problem was that the focus was on the men who were on the inside, not those most affected by the bets: the little man who loses everything due to his addiction and the pressure put on them by bookies and gambling affiliates (beware in Vegas!) Two For the Money did show a touch – just a bit – of the terrible side-effects of gambling by glimpsing a man named Mohammed who ran a dry cleaning service. But it was very short.The prime focus was on Brandon Lang (Matthew McConaughey, REIGN OF FIRE, 2002) an injured football player turned sports-win-picker who's 80% successful selections make him a phenomenon. No one's ever done that and Walter Abrams' (Al Pacino, THE GODFATHER, 1972) bookie team grabs hold of Brandon and inducts him into their company. He quickly leads them to unparalleled success, money and fame but, as fickle as luck/fate can be, it just as quickly gets snatched away.Although it's interesting to get an insider's look into this little-known world, it's also (as stated earlier) of little concern to most mainstream Americans (I know of no one who has sports gambling problems …but maybe that's just me).The other big failing was that the movie brought up problems related to these two men, but then summarily dropped them with no rhyme or reason. For instance, we're told early on that Walter Abrams has a heart condition, then ¾ of the way through the flick it's never mentioned again. We're also shown how upset some of the rich and famous become when they lose, and one of these wealthy men sends "a warning" to Brandon. It happens once, and then we never hear of it again, as if they (the movie makers) just wanted to show us this side of the issue. You know what I said when I saw that: "Who cares?" All in all a poorly done film. The script was seriously lacking (and littered with holes) and the acting was nothing special. Pacino is just Pacino. But I'm sure the ladies will love seeing McConaughey with his shirt off. Uh-boy...
Decent movie but you don't miss anything if not watching it!
posted on 02 Jul 2009I would rate this film 5,5/10. Just above the average. In order to draw a conclusion and take a decision about where this 0,5 should go (to 5 or to 6), I decided to take into consideration the first feeling I had just after watching it. Yet, it became more confusing! Because the first feeling was like "ok, it was a decent movie, Al Pacino did his best to lift it, but still..." it lacked something or it had some unnecessary things to watch, it was not that kind of movie that you would recommend to your friends the next morning... and I think that's all a movie production would ask for, isn't it? So, thanks to the fact that I am a positive person by nature(!) and maybe 'cause a movie featuring Al Pacino is too much to...be bad I decided to give this 0,5 to 6. If I was forced (!) to recommend it to my friends, I would definitely mention Pacino's engaging and delectable acting (especially when he talks to the group meeting), the similarity of the movie style with that of "devil's advocate" and the fact that it's a relatively fast movie so that makes it an easy to watch one(not tiring). Now, for those who don't like watching a movie and knowing ALL THE TIME what's going to happen next, please stay away from it and watch it only if there is nothing else to do. You can even guess the scores of the matches being on bet!! (ok kidding...almost!) Apart from that, I think that there were some scenes that elicited question marks such as "What's the point of that??" and this feeling came to its summit in the end of the movie. Finally, there were some parts that they were too good to be true and I felt like my intelligence (if any) was underrated. In conclusion, after watching a movie, I tend to classify it according to a "Yes" or "No" answer to 2 very simple questions: "Would I miss anything if I didn't watch it?" & "Was it worth seeing that?" and I'm not talking about money... Spending 2 hours of my life watching a completely useless and pointless movie (while there are many other great ones out there), I think is far more critical than spending 8 E/$ (or nothing, it depends... :) At the end of the day, I'm afraid that my answer to both of the above two questions would be "No".
Two For The Money Rocks.
posted on 02 Jul 2009I saw a preview in Hollyweird last week at the Mann's Chinese. This film rocks. Reminded me of Oliver Stone's Wall Street, except it is set in the sports gambling world. A world I knew nothing about, until now. Pacino has two classic moments. The first is in a Gambler's Anonymous meeting and the second is in an airport in Puerto Rico. Matthew McConhaughy has never ever been better. His character Brandon provides him a stellar challenge and he rises to the task. I imagine going toe to toe with Al Pacino had a lot to do with that. Rene Russo is solid and in a surprising way, her character ends up providing the glue that holds the entire film together. Check it out, if you liked Wall Street, The Gambler and even Devils Advocate, this movie is for you. Pacino...Pacino...Pacino.
His Best Pick Was With the Heart
posted on 28 Jun 2009In Vegas, after breaking the knee in a game, the former promising football player Brandon Lang (Matthew McConaughey) has to work in a phone service foreseeing the results of the games due to the lack of professional options. After many successful predictions, he is invited by Walter Abrams (Al Pacino) to move to Manhattan and work with him in his gambling advising business. Brandon changes his name and personality, becomes famous advising clients and close to Walter's family, and a good friend of his wife, the owner of a hairdresser saloon Toni Morrow (Rene Russo). When the predictions of Brandon fail, he feels that it is time to return home."Two for the Money" is a good entertainment, mainly because it is based on a true story, inclusive in the DVD there is an interview of the screenplay writer with the real Brandon. The story partially discloses an illegal business that deals with billions of dollars, and keeps the interest until the end, without being exceptional or unforgettable. Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey and Rene Russo make this film worth. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Tudo Por Dinheiro" ("All for Money")
One For The $$$, Two For The No Show!!!
posted on 26 Jun 2009Every once in a while a movie comes along that you feel should have never been made or at least, if they're going to make it, come up with a better story than this. Anyone whose ever gambled knows that there are no, etched in stone, sure things when it comes to betting on football. This movie is a total farce. Why? Because it fails to be honest about the real world of gamblers. I sure had high hopes for this flick considering the mega cast. To to bad all that talent directed toward a dismal story.Frankly, I just didn't care if they won or lost in the end. Better writing and or something to really draw us in would have maybe made this somewhat worthy but alas, not today. Mathew, in the beginning, got me going with some decent character development then it just went flat.
The Movie I Wish I Had Seen In The Theatre In 2005
posted on 02 Jun 2009Every once in awhile a movie comes along that you wish you would have seen in the theater. I am not talking about the Big Blockbuster that you were going to see and then changed your mind and did not see and wished you saw later. I am talking about the quality movie that you wished you had supported so Hollywood would make more of these movies. This movie was like Quiz Show, in that I wished I had seen it in the theater. While Quiz Show is one of the better movies I have ever seen, this is one of the better movies I did not see last year. This movie is heartfelt because in large part it is true. It is well acted in most parts because it has one of the greatest actors ever to grace the screen, who is acting rather than over-reacting. For instance, there is a moment where Al Pacino is in his house with Rene Russo and Matthew McConoughy(spelling?) and Al Pacino's daughter in the movie, and Pacino carries this difficult scene off with such a range of emotion that you can see all of his love of Shakespeare coming through because he is going through all the ranges of emotion that a character goes through in one of the Bard's plays. He is jealous. He is happy. He is proud. He is hurt. He is upset. He is uncertain how to react so he is calculating how to act. Watching Pacino's face go through these emotions made me appreciate him more as an actor, and this movie more for allowing such a range of emotion in what I thought would be some Fluffy Sports Gambling Movie that was banking on a few well-named actors to sell itself. All in all, I thought this movie ran the gamut of emotions for me and that's what I want from a movie. A solid 7 out of 10, and if I could give it a 1/2 mark, I would have actually given it a 7.5 out of 10.
Terrific movie
posted on 21 May 2009I thought this movie was quite good. Matthew McConaughey did a great job, as did Al Pacino and Rene Russo, as always. The subject matter was interesting, and not something I had seen before. I also enjoyed the character study of Al Pacino, who was clearly not a recovered gambler after all, he just started gambling with his company and with people, rather than his own personal money.The father father/son, mentor/protégé aspect was also interesting. You could tell that Jeremy Piven's character had been Al's golden boy at some point.Many have pointed out a lull in the second act. I didn't feel that at all--quite the contrary I was very tense, especially watching the football games where they had taken the "under" and so had to sweat each point.
More than meets the eye
posted on 21 May 2009The performances of Al Pacino, Rene Russo and Matthew McConaughey are what elevates this movie to a higher level than just another morality tale about sports gambling.Pacino stars as Walter Abrams, a passionate and driven (but broken in so many ways) man who is looking for a protégé, someone he can pass his sports gambling empire to. He finds it in Matthew McConaughey, in perfect form as Brandon Link, a swaggering hotshot who can predict the winning football teams before they play. Walter puts all of his eggs in Brandon's basket, despite the reservations of his wife Toni (the luminous and always wonderful Rene Russo). She is a recovering heroin addict, and she knows that her husband can slip back at any time into one of his addictions. Walter is vulnerable, and she knows it. She is fighting for him to stay afloat, and for the survival of their marriage.Like any tale of a mentor-protégé, when things are going well, the world is theirs for the taking. But when things come apart (and they always do)-the mighty fall hard. This film however, is more complex-it examines the world of sports gambling and the nature of addiction all the while operating around the father-son-like relationship of Walter and Brandon which at times is harmonious and at other times fractious. Toni at times seems like the third wheel, although Walter's paranoia leads him to betray her and he nearly derails them. The final showdown between Russo and Pacino is both powerful and moving. Kudos to Dan Gilroy, who wrote the role specifically for Rene. Exciting and thought-provoking, this is a terrific movie all around.
A mediocre film, far from reality
posted on 23 Apr 2009This film is not as bad as many say, its a decent film about sports betting. I give the director credit for keeping it interesting as this film could have potentially been a bore. However there were some problems with the script, mainly the last act which was not logical. The acting and smart direction from Caruso save this project. Although it isn't a terribly convincing film, Pacinos performance allows is to not be a total disappointment. McConaughey was good as well, casted well in his role. Jeremy Piven was great in his supporting role, but Armand Assante was bad, boy does he not know how to perform lines and be convincing while doing it. Most of my problems with this film was Dan Gilroys screenplay which although at times smart, and entertaining, all in all not concise and consistent. 7/10
Losing bet for viewers
posted on 11 Apr 2009* Spoiler alert *As astounding waste of time, talent and yes, money, "Two for the Money" varies from predictable to preposterous to unpleasant without pausing for entertainment.A top-flight cast, plus Matthew McConaughey, tries to put a palatable spin on the saga of a sports betting firm preying on gullible customers who should instead be in Gamblers Anonymous.Scriptwriter Dan Gilroy has a strong facility for finding old clichés in new settings, crafting a tale of boy-meets-boy, boy-makes-boy-money, boy-loses-boy-money, oh-who-cares.McConaughey is a washed-up football player trying to rehabilitate an injury and making ends meet through a betting tips show. There's a surface plausibility that he has some insights into college football as a former player, which gets him customers.In swoops Al Pacino as the owner of a high-flying betting service. He brings Matthew to New York to pick pro games, setting him up with a posh apartment and work-out room to offer beefcake shots of McConaughey for his fans of various lifestyles.Gedde Watanabe stands in for all the hapless betters relying on the service. When McConaughey hits big with his initial picks, Watanabe gets gulled into anteing up more. Unfortunately, the power goes to Matt's pretty head. Immediately. He has one good week, and then is off to play golf instead of researching games.Pacino is fine with this. Infatuated with his new boy toy, he fires long-time associate Jeremy Piven. Rene Russo plays Al's very tolerant wife _ you see, she knows that he's a gambling addict himself. There's no difference between Al and his customers, except that he's taking their money to enable his own bets. Always watchable, Piven gets out of the movie with his dignity intact, and Russo is her usual reliable self.But Pacino is in full "hoo-ha" mode as he tries to inject some life into his empty character. At that, Gilroy gives him more to work with then the rest of the cast. As one of Al's employees, super-skinny Carly Pope stands around in the background of multiple scenes while getting perhaps 10 words of dialogue. Her big scene is sliding into McConaughey's lap to kiss him for his good work. One can't help thinking of Susan St. James snuggling up with Rock Hudson in "McMillan and Wife."Gilroy's script is so inept that he can't even realistically portray the ebb-and-flow of games. After things go wrong and McConaughey tries to get back on track, there's a scene where the football team he's picked goes up over the spread with two minutes to play. It's just the sort of situation in a real game where the other team would push for a quick score. But in Gilroy's world, Matt's colleagues immediately start celebrating their success, and then are stunned when the other team scores. (And of course, the teams playing are always "New York," never Houston or Tampa Bay.)By the end, after ruining Watanabe, getting threatened by mobster types, and (attention guys!) showing off more of his physique, McConaughey decides to return to oblivion, but not without leaving Al his very special Super Bowl pick. Will Pacino use it and keep his shell game afloat? Never has a big game seemed so small.
stats are not enough, you need a voice!!!
posted on 22 Mar 2009Brandon Lang loves football but an injury keeps him from the pros, but his quarterback's anticipation makes him a brilliant predictor of games' outcomes. Needing money, he leaves Vegas for Manhattan to work for Walter Abrams advising gamblers. Walter has a doting wife, a young daughter, and a thriving business, but he has problems: a bum heart, a belief he's a master manipulator, and addictions barely kept in check. He remakes Brandon, and a father-son relationship grows. Then, things go awry. Walter may be running a con. The odds against Brandon mount...inspired by a true story (though having never heard of It) this is a movie for sports fans and Pacino fans alike. being from the UK, i have no idea how your gambling system works, and after seeing this movie, i now realise that people are prepared to lose everything on order to gain that 'big win'.this is Pacinos picture, he steals every scene he is in and i don't think i have seen him this outrageous since 'the devils advocate' (which this could be a sequel of sorts to!!!). if you do not like Pacino in full on shouting mode, then steer well clear of this. the rest of the cast are really good too. particularly McConaughy, Russo and Piven in an extended cameo. the Direction is slick, the script is very sharp, but it does sometimes fall into cliché territory. boy from nowhere amazes people. then he starts losing you know the rest.without Pacino this would have been just another rags to riches story, but the script treats him well and in return, he treats the script even better.a great drama for anybody and easily accessiblerecommended
Good Movie for Guys and Girls
posted on 16 Feb 2009I would have to say this is one of the best movies I have seen in a few years. It had a good cast of characters and it was believable. You really knew the outcome at the end but the rise to the top for the gamblers and the fall is real life. People really do put their whole lives on the line every day when they gamble and with NFL it is huge. I like to see Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey on screen, they play a great back and forth role together and it is the rising of a new kid on the block in the company. I don't really understand the dynamic between Rene Russo and Pacino, it seems that they have much bigger issues than the ones that are present with McConaughey and his character. The guy is just trying to get what is coming to him. I would like to see a more in depth documentary on the subject matter of sports gambling and how it starts and how real life sports bookies get to where they are, this was an entertaining, fast paced film that I recommend to anyone surfing through cable wondering what to watch. If you haven't see it stop and watch the film, you won't be disappointed.
"the story loses steam in the last half"
posted on 06 Feb 2009Someone wrote: "Interesting to a point, the story loses steam in the last half and we soon lose interest in the outcome or the characters."I hope that this is not the case because I have only seen the first half and that was fairly unbearable. Mathew does his "how to lase a guy in 10 days" thing. Al DiNero looks like a pale version of his former self (I think that's a good think because so far he is screaming less). The story seems fairly straight forward, but I am in no way interested in it at all. I thought I might be because I like football, but this does not seem to be the case. Another fumble in the big leagues.someone please help me finish watching this move and redeem my faith in Hollywood.
Very Good Movie. Superb Acting. Go and See it.
posted on 04 Feb 2009I watched this movie not expecting much at all... I was 'really' surprised - this movie is actually 'very' good, and well worth seeing in the cinema.I normally hate sports movies (they are all normally cheesy, predictable and quite frankly boring) - This one however, is a whole different kettle of fish - Don't prejudge it and put it in the same basket as those other films. It is a completely refreshing, original and watchable film. There is not actually much sport in the movie (so don't worry if you don't like sports movies - You will still enjoy this - I hate sports movies, but I liked this one). Instead the film shows the complex relationship between the various characters and the highs and lows that sports gambling can bring.The only negative for me was that the film didn't explain sports gambling at all - which perhaps it needed to, given that it is about Sports gambling. It was also a little too long...On the whole it was a very clever movie, with some brilliant acting performances - If you are a proper film fan - you will really appreciate this film. I think the film owes a lot to the main actors though - without their uplifting performances, this film probably wouldn't have been anywhere near as good or convincing.Pacino in this is at his all time best - Superb performance...McConaughey and Russo also don't disappoint, and all characters work well together and play off each other.The film will definitely keep you engaged, and has a few interesting twists and turns too...Surprising how a film based on Sports gambling can be so entertaining and interesting.The average user rating on this website for this film doesn't do this film justice. It is a very good film - You should go and see it. I would give it 8/10.
Interesting for Sports Fans
posted on 31 Jan 2009Well, I saw this movie yesterday, and although I wasn't disappointed, I wasn't terribly thrilled, either. I imagine it would be different for someone who was really into sports, sports gambling, or maybe was a compulsive gambler himself. For me, the relationships were interesting, and Al Pacino certainly chewed the scenery in his role as a kingpin sports prognosticator. I would say that he was over-the top except that I know actual people from New York who are really like that. Matthew McConaughy (sp?) was as good as I have seen him and very nice to look at in his fitness workout scenes. I would recommend the picture for beefcake fans, but there really wasn't enough to make a meal of. Not my type of picture, but I only paid $2 so what the hay.
Me and all my friends loved this movie
posted on 15 Jan 2009i went with a group of about 10 people and we all loved this movie.. and the other people in the theater seemed to really enjoy it as well.. a very good mix of comedy and drama.. and if you know anything about sports, or better yet, sports betting, then there is a lot of real tension as well.. but the absolute best thing about the movie is PACINO.. man, that guy is incredible.. he can be so funny, so intense, and he is just a joy to watch.. And although it looks like just a fun, mainstream movie (which it is), there are actually quite a few layers to it.. there is a father/son thing going on and a subject matter (sports gambling and addiction) that is very real and has not been covered in movies yet.. Go see this movie.. Pacino is so great to watch..
Chaucer's flip of the coin
posted on 31 Aug 2009Greetings again from the darkness. Was very happy to catch an early screening of this after seeing the trailer. The one definite that the film (and filmmaker) knows is that the camera loves Matthew McConaughey. His dimples, blinding white teethy smile and beefcake body are all on full display here. MM does have a southern silkiness and charm on screen, but we just never believe the river runs very deep.Director D.J. Caruso ("Taking Lives" and a bunch of TV stuff) never quite captures the pure sleaze of behind the scenes sports betting. There are so many stereotypical moments, characters and scenes that this viewer experienced more than a couple of eye rolls, not the least of which was the ridiculously sappy ending. Al Pacino is at his over-the-top usual. Somewhere along the way, Pacino stopped acting and just started yelling his lines. He is no longer the brooding, cool guy of "Bobby Deerfield" or "The Godfather", but now seems eternally stuck in his "Scarface" and "The Insider" roles as a screaming madman. Rene Russo provides steady duty as Pacino's muse and wife, as does the wonderful Jeremy Piven. Armand Assante also shines as a very scary rich client whom I would not want upset at me.The treatment of addiction - alcohol, betting, drugs, etc. is touched upon, but we are not given any real insight into the struggles these individuals face on a daily basis. The film is watchable purely as a star vehicle for McConaughey and Pacino and just a sampling of the sleaze that compiles this huge industry.