Mod-Blog Review: TWO FOR THE MONEY

When I saw the trailers for "Two For the Money", it really only told me two things about the movie: (1) Al Pacino loves playing the same basic role over and over again, and (2) Matthew McConnahey (sp?) is learning that basic skill from Al Pacino. I bought the DVD at Wal-Mart this week, hoping that the movie would be better than a replay of past performances, but pretty much that is all that is there... which is not all bad.

TWO FOR THE MONEY tells the story of "Sports Advisors" - a shady grey-market where betting laws are obeyed, but only barely. Pacino plays the head of a "sports advisor" house, which spends its time telling big-time gamblers who to bet on... and then collects 10% of the winning if/when they do win. McConnahey plays a newbie to this world - a former college football player who understands the game from the inside out, and thus when he stumbles upon a minimum wage job taping betting picks for a 900 number, turns out to be a prety good at it. His picks top 80% each week, yet he himself never bets on a game. This draws the attention of Pacino, who recruits McConnahey, gives him a new name, and trains him to be the ultimate "man in the know" who high stakes bettors will trust with their life savings. Then, after several months of wins, McConnahey hits a cold streak, and suddenly learns about Pacino's deeply-ingrained self-destructive streak, and that he is a secret gambler living off of the high that McConnahey's picks are providing.

If you have seen any of Pacino's "loud brash manipulator" films, then you have already seen this film. If you have seen any of McConnahey's "charming southern boy with heart of gold" films, then you have already seen this film. Renee Russo also appears in this film, looking gorgeous, but providing little in the way of foil, and pretty much playing her generic "beautiful, intelligent older woman with a hint of vulnerability".

That being said, you now know whether you want to see this film or not. If you like Pacino or McConnahey in their default roles, you'll like 'em here. If you'll see a film just because Russo is in it and beautiful, then you'll like this film. If you want something new, different, or truly insightful... well... skip this one.