Two For The Money, with stars Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey, takes you deep inside the glitz and glam world of sports gambling, and delivers the same bombastic performance that has marked many of Pacino’s past films.
The movie, which was directed by D. J. Caruso, follows Brandon Lang (McConaughey) as he breaks his leg and ends his promising football career in the opening minutes of the film; becomes a 900 phone number football handicapper with the ability to always pick a winner; and is eventually recruited by Walter Abrams (Pacino) to be the golden boy of his Sports Advisor gambling service. Lang agrees to move to New York, live with Abrams and his wife (Renee Russo) and reinvent himself as John Anthony – The Million Dollar Man.
Lang quickly begins to transform into his alter-ego – a rude high-rolling, take no prisoners salesman with little regard for those around him – and slowly starts his trip downhill that will force him to hit rock bottom by the film’s ending. Along the way, Pacino’s Abrams, who happens to be addicted to gambling, starts betting on Lang’s picks and loses everything. The pair also take a couple of million dollar bets from a mobster (played by Armand Assante) who just happens to get a little upset when Lang starts picking nothing but losers week after week. This brings us to a crunch for Lang and Abrams as they have to risk everything on Lang’s Super Bowl prediction.
The movie, which is based on a “true story,” is a blend of past films and has several cliché moments that everyone will instantly know that we have seen it before. It mixes elements of Wall Street, every sport gambling movie made, and even The Recruit (another of Pacino’s recent duds). The plot is extremely predictable, and you never really find yourself caring about the choices Lang is making because you know he will come full circle before the movie is finished.
McConaughey plays the same charmer type character that made him a star
Although the film has some problems and is a bit predictable, it is still interesting to watch and will hold your attention. The film takes you on an interesting journey into the life of a gambler and the people who make their living off an addiction. Pacino plays his character as both victim and prey – a person who knows the life and disappointments of a gambler and one who feeds off that addiction. Lang is a character that takes us into this world with open eyes and is slowly seduced by the money and what it brings. When the bottom falls out, he learns that everything has a price.
McConaughey does a good job in the movie, but basically plays the same laid back charmer that has made him a star. He transforms from that character a bit as he assumes the John Anthony character, but never strays too far from the formula for his success. Since the biggest selling point of the character is his charm, McConaughey is right for the part and holds his own against the scene-chewing Pacino.
Pacino, one of my favorite actors and a true icon, continues to struggle to find a good role and doesn’t succeed in that quest with Abrams. The character is very similar to the one Pacino played in The Recruit, and he always seems to be hiding something from the unsuspecting Lang. We know not to trust the guy, and Pacino makes sure that we see a hint of the danger that lies under the surface – such as when he yells at Lang after McConaughey asks for more money.
Abrams and the promise of getting rich lure Lang to the world of sports betting
The actor is good in the role, but continues the “loud style” of overacting that has marked some of his recent films - such as Simone or Any Given Sunday. While he continues to have the ability to capture your attention with just the simplest of facial expressions, he seems to lack some of the intensity of his earlier work. Again, he isn’t bad in the role, and without Pacino the movie would have been extremely boring.
While the film is entertaining enough to hold your attention, there are several problems that just leave you confused. The biggest of these is the Assante character and the “threat” that he brings after losing money. He assaults McConaughey in the park (in a most humiliating way) which makes you wonder just how bad his next attack will be if he loses again. Keep wondering because nothing ever happens.
Also, it seems in several scenes that Pacino is hoping to leave his business and his wife to McConaughey after he finally has his big heart attack (which he has several minor ones along the film), but seems extremely upset when he accuses Russo of having an affair with Lang. While these problems are extremely minor in the film, they do take away from the enjoyment or at least leave you scratching your head when the film finishes.
The DVD comes loaded with special features including deleted scenes, a making of feature, and an interview that takes you inside the world of sports gambling. The Making of Two For The Money is a pretty standard look at what went into making the movie and the actors reasons for being involved. The Insider Interview features screenwriter Dan Gilroy interviewing his former caddie, who was the inspiration for the Lang role, about the real story behind the movie.
Pacino is loud and chews a lot of scenes as Abrams
Although it is predictable and has some flaws, Two For The Money is an interesting look at the life of a gambler and the people who making their living off that addiction. The film features solid performances from its cast, and slick filming from director D. J. Caruso. I would recommend it to anyone wanting an entertaining drama or any fan of Pacino. It isn’t the actor’s best performance but is far from his worse. The movie manages to be entertaining even if it is a bit forgettable and formulaic.
Two For The Money is available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD’s database for more information.
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