Two for the Money (2005)

After suffering a career-ending knee 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:

Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino, Rene Russo

2 nominations.

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:

father son relationship | football | injury | addiction | quarterback | 

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Taglines:

How much will you risk?

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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:

Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

For the Money

Filming Locations:

8 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,703,240, 9 October 2005, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$22,862,049, 13 November 2005

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures,Morgan Creek Entertainment,Cosmic Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rene Russo's husband, Dan Gilroy, wrote the part of Al Pacino's wife Toni especially for Russo and tailored it to fit her perfectly. He even used Russo's real-life sister's name Toni as the name of the character.

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Goofs

When Brandon first tells Amir which team to bet on Walter advises Brandon to get to the point and don't waste time, then Brandon suddenly changes the topic to what Amir's favorite drink is, therefore wasting his time.

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Quotes

Walter Abrams: [celebrating after Brandon went 20 for 20 in a single game, hugging each other] I've got to dance with you more
Toni Morrow: You do
Walter Abrams: I saw this house in the Bahamas, talk about an investment in case anyting should happen to me
Toni Morrow: I don't want to hear that
Walter Abrams: Why don't we go down there and check it out? just you and me, sit bare foot in the sand
Toni Morrow: Just tell me your not gambling
Walter Abrams: [they stop dancing] Eighteen years straight the shit's over
Toni Morrow: It's never over and you know that
Walter Abrams: How about a truth serum into the veins? Baby we ...

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Crazy Credits

Inspired by a true story

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Connections

Referenced in Hierarchy (2009)

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Soundtracks

You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
Written by James Cavanaugh, Russ Morgan and Larry Stock
Performed by Dean Martin
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Al Pacino IS this film

Al Pacino carries this film all by himself.

I can't think of a way that this could have been made without Pacino. Sure, Matthew McConaughey and Rene Russo gave convincing performances, but Pacino makes you feel sorry for the miserable, empty shell of a man he is.

The plot was amazingly intricate and well carried, but (once again) without Pacino it would not have been delivered nearly as well. I think that they should have found a way to include a small explanation as to how sports betting works, so the fans who came in just to see Pacino would be able to understand how it works. Also, at times the movie just dragged on and on and on...

I still think that Al Pacino is that movie. Pacino really extends himself the way he always does to keep the movie alive and moving. His character was one of the most miserable men I have ever seen, and while i hated him, I still identified a small part of myself with him, and that is the sign of a truly great actor.

7/10