Two for the Money
“Two for the Money” is at best an enjoyable diversion. At times it comes close to being a good film thanks to good acting, interesting character and an intriguing premise but at other times it is so haphazard, whether in editing, the terrible looking football games, or the excruciatingly bad head of hear worn by the football star McConaughey as to be laughable. Most of the time it is just run of the mill, operating in a flashy, over-edited, over scored, over-lit, and over-montaged continuum of modern American mainstream films (not to mention Pacino’s over-acting, though that is often a pleasure to watch!). The film purports to be inspired by a true story, which, with the word inspired, rather than based, could mean nearly anything. No matter.
The film begins with a hasty back story narrated by our lead character Charlie Lang, played by McConaughey. It seems Lang was a should-have-been pro football player set back by injury. He also has father issues, as his dad, whom he played sports to please, was an alcoholic who left when he was nine. Six years after his injury, he works a crummy 900 number job while constantly working out to get back to football. Its chance that one day leads Charlie into making football picks for one of the other 900 number lines. After quick success in his new line of work, he receives a phone call and an unbelievable job offer from the fast talking Walter Abrams, played by Al Pacino. While Charlie has only been making football picks for a year he’s been picking 80%, and Abrams, a sick man and a recovering gambling addict who runs a sports betting advice business, has noticed. Charlie goes to New York, where Abrams wines and dines him with a flashy office and quickly sets himself and his wife Toni, played by Rene Russo, as Charlie’s surrogate parents. While Abrams purports to be gambling free for eighteen years, he is only fooling himself; he is set to ride the horse of Charlie for as far and long as he can.
And thus a predictable chain of events take place; Charlie becomes big time, egged on and guided by Abrams, who transforms him into a fast talking, big suit wearing, fancy car driving, shadow of himself, whom he coins John Anthony. Of course, they rise to the top only to eventually run into high stakes trouble and a moment of truth. I won’t ruin the details but suffice it to say there are very few shockers here. But where the film does have redeeming value is in these three main characters.
Now, truth be told, this could go both ways for viewers. In the case of Pacino, he yells, he swaggers, he falls wounded, he threatens, he rejoices; we have seen this all before. We’ve seen Pacino pound the table during a declamatory statement. We’ve seen him turn on a dime from showman to sinister, and since we’ve seen him do it so many times, a role such as this in a sub par film such as this runs the risk of being not only redundant, but almost a parody. But there are good moments. Imagine the irony of Walter running a business advising on sports betting when he is a gambling addict, clean for eighteen years. He goes to a gambling anonymous meeting and insults the group, calling them lemons, telling them they crave to lose, then handing out his card in case they relapse.
As for McConaughey he is an actor with a presence and a look who has yet to take roles that might prove he can act. His good looks are highlighted in a film that constantly has him working out with his shirt off, often in some form of silouhette (his physique is even commented on by Abrams). And Russo is effective as Abrams’ rock; she holds him together, knowing at any moment he can and will relapse and constantly warning Charlie that while Walter loves him, he can and will ruin him. What makes her character a bit more effective than the stock supporting wife is that she herself is an addict and must hold herself together all at the same time.
Story: C+ The details of the film, the business that Abrams runs, Charlie’s backstory, don’t really hold up. The high stakes world of football gambling is an interesting premise, but is not delved into deeply, instead the film is about obsession, addiction, and relationships.
Acting: B Strong all around. Pacino is a joy, Jeremy Piven shines in a supporting role.
Visuals: B Often well lit by the son of the late great Conrad Hall.
Originality/Innovation: D Not much of either here.
Enjoyability Grade: C +
Overall Grade: C
At times rather bad, at times rather good, not well put together, but diverting enough.
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