Two for the Money

A lot of people hate this film and call it a piece of crap. I call these people, people that have seen it. Don't bother.

What a waste of talents. Something is wrong with this movie. It's on prediction and everything is curiously predictable. So bad.

remembered this movie to be more entertaining on the first watched

If you like Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino and Rene Russo watch this film. Engaging story, excellent performances.

Mean spirited and immoral movie about targeting gambling addicts for money. All about the "stakes" but for this movie there are none on offer. You will not give a damn after the first 30 mins. You couldn't care less. Unwatchable. Proudly; I did not finish it.

First half of the film is ok but the plot gets bogged down and hits a meandering wall. Has nowhere interesting to go and you're left watching people watching matches and a cliched ending. Not the best work from any of the actors. Maybe Russo is best but the bar is extraordinarily low. Bought as part of two DVD Pacino box set but was really after the other film for the collection. So I literally got two for the money I suppose. Wish I hadn't . It's really poor.

Pacino, as Walter Abrams, has some good scenes here: I enjoyed his first encounters with Brandon Lang (McConaughey), and most particularly his speech at the Gambler's Anonymous meeting. But the fun only lasts for as long as Brandon's winning streak. A little more such similar style and humor would have helped along the way, because the film's balance is both overlong and disappointing. Things become rather depressing about the time McConaughey's Brandon starts losing big—which occurs about the same time he runs out of excuses to work out and take his shirt off for the camera! Separately, Piven and Assante play typical roles, but Russo is good here, although underused.

This movie is not for everyone. If you have lived the gambling life and found yourself chasing and in over your head, you would understand the movie is spot on. And a lot of us have. It captures that gamblers feeling, essence and desperation. For me the movie was a rush. I'm like I lived that life that's how I felt. My favorite line "your a lemon Leon, like a bad car there's something inherently defective in you".

Decent acting carries an otherwise uninspiring story.

Never has a films name been more unintentionally clear. The two stars must have made this film for the money because it sure wasn't the script.