Film Reviews

Two For The Money

• Rating:
• Director: DJ Caruso
• Starring: Al Pacino
• Details: US, 122mins, 15s.

Hotshot quarterback Brandon Lang (McConaughey) suffers a career-ending injury and winds up working for a tele-sales company, but when ex-gambler Walter Abrams (Pacino), a renowned tout in the sports gambling business with his own cable show, convinces him to work for his company, Brandon is transformed into 'John Anthony' - the slick-haired god of football predictions. On a mother of a winning streak, Brandon loses himself in his Anthony persona and soon alienates everyone with his huge ego; but when his winning streak vanishes, Brandon finds himself without friends. Behind the scenes, the insecure Abrams suspects Brandon is sleeping with his wife (Russo).
Caruso has made a name for himself directing 'hard-edged' TV dramas like The Shield and Robbery Homicide Division and if you thought recent cops shows seem to merge into each other, offering nothing new or different, then you won't be surprised to learn that Two For The money is a cut-and-paste job of Wall Street and Any Given Sunday - a bad amalgamation coupled with a boring by-the-numbers plot. Nothing stands out in this average flick, as it can't decide what it is or what it is trying to do. Ditto for the main leads, as McConaughey and Pacino both seem unsure of how to play their roles. Without any heart and trying to take itself too seriously, there is nothing on offer here for even the most passive and easily pleased sports fans, but at least we can enjoy the countless rippling torso shots of the sculpted McConaughey.

Review by Gavin Burke