CORPORATE LINE: Two For the Money is a drama of high stakes set in the adrenalized world of wheeler-dealers whose fortunes are won and lost betting on sports. Matthew McConaughey stars as Brandon Lane, a former college football star whose uncanny ability to predict the outcome of a game introduces him to an unexpected new career when his gridiron glory is sidelined by a crushing injury.
Brandon’s talent makes him a prime candidate for recruitment by Walter Abraham (Oscar®-winner Al Pacino), the head of one of the biggest sports consulting operations in the country. Walter hires the small town ex-athlete and grooms him into a shrewd front man. Brandon soon begins to enjoy his status as a Manhattan golden boy and finds himself growing comfortable with Walter’s high-rolling lifestyle. The surrogate father/surrogate son relationship fattens Walter’s business and personal accounts…until Brandon’s golden touch begins to falter at the same time that Walter’s manipulation of his protégé crosses the line.
With millions of dollars on the line, Brandon and Walter engage in a deadly game of con versus con, each one trying to maintain the upper hand while everyone in their world, including Walter’s wife, Toni (Rene Russo), are drawn into the escalating duel-where ultimately everything isn’t what it appears to be.
THE MOVIE: Can you say Wall Street? You will be after watching Two For The Money. You have Matthew McConaughey as the perfect, good boy and Al Pacino plays the bad guy sports bookie.
The entire movie is over-the-top. It’s about betting on sports in a world of testosterone which apparently gives license to a movie full of it. Without a doubt Pacino and McConaughey can be arrogant but this is too much. Rene Russo’s Toni is supposed to be the one who injects some morals into the picture. The funny thing is she is trying to keep her husband on the right path while enjoying the fruits of a job that is illegal. Figure that out.
THE EXTRAS:
Commentary by director DJ Caruso and screenwriter Dan Gilroy discuss the movie and the characters. There are some interesting moments and decent back-and-forth.
“The Making of Two for the Money” is interesting to listen to the actors—particularly Al Pacino. It’s only about ten minutes so there isn’t much meat.
“Insider Interview: The Real Brandon” is an interview with Brandon Link, the real Brandon Lane, by screenwriter Dan Gilroy.
There eight Deleted Scenes (with Optional Commentaries) and its obvious why they are deleted.
Finally there is a theatrical trailer, TV spots and Universal trailers.
FRANKLY: Two For The Money is all balls and no brains. If you want to drive your car a hundred miles an hour that’s great just don’t forget there are stop signs and school zones on the way. Two For The Money forgets that and just runs itself into the wall.
+ Charlie Craine
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