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Two For The Money
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Starring: Al Pacino
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 122
min.
Release Date:
October 2005
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
I 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,
FOOL'S GOLD) 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 MERCHANT OF VENICE) 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...
(back to top) |
Image from Two For The
Money
DVD cost: $6.99
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The film was based on the
true story of Brandon Link who used the alias Mike Anthony. In the movie
his names were changed to Brandon Lang and John Anthony. The real
Brandon Link had a non-credited cameo appearance as "Man Greeting
Brandon #1.
Movie Quote: "Stats
are not enough, you need a voice! These are gamblers ready to risk what
they can't afford for what they can't have, you're selling the world's
rarest commodity: certainty, in an uncertain world."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Two For The Money
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