Two for the Money (2005)

After suffering a career-ending injury, a former college football star aligns himself with one of the most renowned touts in the sports-gambling business.

Director:

D.J. Caruso

Writer:

Dan Gilroy

Stars:

Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, Rene Russo

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Walter
Matthew McConaughey	...	Brandon
Rene Russo	...	Toni
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 (as Gerrard Plunkett)
Craig Veroni	...	Amir
James Kirk	...	Denny
Chrislyn Austin	...	Julia

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

football | injury | father son relationship | addiction | gambling | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sport | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, a scene of sexuality and a violent act

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Russia] Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

For the Money

Filming Locations:

55th Street & 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$12,183 (Chile) (16 June 2006)

Gross:

$12,183 (Chile) (16 June 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Morgan Creek Productions, Cosmic Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the movie's producers, David C. Robinson (the son of the owner of the studio that made the movie), and his wife, Susan Ward, appear in non-speaking, uncredited cameos in the movie's opening scenes.

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Goofs

When Brandon storms into Walter's office after making what he thought was a successful sales pitch tape, while working out, he points at Walter with his right hand. In the next shot, he's pointing at Walter with his left hand.

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Quotes

Walter Abrams: You know, the best part of the best drug in the world isn't the high. It's the moment just before you take it. The dice are dancing on the table. Between now and the time they stop, that's the greatest high in the world.

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Crazy Credits

Inspired by a true story

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Connections

References Network (1976)

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Soundtracks

"It's Not Unusual"
Written by Gordon Mills and Les Reed
Performed by Tom Jones
Courtesy of Seconds Out Productions

User Reviews

A mediocre film, far from reality

This 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