Two for the Money (DVD, 2006, Anamorphic Widescreen)

The film begins with Brandon Lang (Matthew McConaughey) breaking his knee in a professional football game which ended his promising career as a high profile quarterback. While recuperating Brandon is forced to work in a phone service using 900 numbers to pick the up and coming winners for the week's game scores. After many successful predictions, Brandon is enticed by Walter Abrams (Al Pacino) to move to Manhattan and work with him in his gambling advising business.

Brandon is even coaxed to change his name, personality, and routine to become a famous adviser to rich clients of Walter's gambling enterprises. Walter must groom him to "look" the part. As such, Brandon becomes John Anthony, the man who can produce fabulous results every weekend during the majority of the football season. Brandon gets to meet the insiders, but little does he know who he is dealing with, or much less, what is expected of him. After all, he is just as good as the winners he can produce.

Brandon becomes close to Walter's family, and a good friend of his wife played by Rene Russo who is still as stunning as ever, the owner of a hairdresser saloon Toni Morrow. When the predictions of Brandon fail, he feels that it is time to return home.

This film has a great deal of spark, however, it still somehow didn't fashion my interests as much as the glut and glitter normally would have 20 years ago when I was young and my heart was still an open book. Now that those days are gone and I'm not so self assured, the lure of riches and success don't impress me any more. McConaughey is well known for his good looks and charm and plays a very important part in the success of this film. McConaughey proves he's the lady's man by chasing and winning a romp in the hay with Alexandria (Jaime King) much to the surprise of his mentor Walter who bets him in a restaurant that he couldn't possible score with her even before he makes an ass of himself with her dinner guests. Pacino here plays a very obtrusive person who likes to get his way at any cost; somewhat an obsessive compulsive type who could quickly embarrass anyone that has any manners. There were other fantastic players in this film including Jerry (Jeremy Piven, The Family Man, 2000)

The chasing after it all is all fun and games when you are young and know what it means to have nice things, but more money doesn't bring true happiness. Learning to be content in every situation is the best policy. The movies skipped a bit hear and there, unfortunately I may have missed the ego-less part of the film, but I don't really think so. Regardless, after all the good effort put into the making of this film, it just didn't have enough Umphf to keep me interested in the characters success. In any case, you would have to know that, in the end, Brandon's lucky picking streak could not hold up forever and that soon his marvelous rich buddy would soon lose interest. Walter has some spell so he lights a cig, wow. Pacino is better off playing zestful people like Serpico (1973) than these types anyway.

The film, directed by D.J. Caruso, a man who has worked extensively in television, has a glossy look. The screenplay by Dan Gilroy could have used some tighter editing, since 2 hours feels a bit long.

I'm sorry to give this film an average score of 3/5 even after knowing it received a nomination for the Golden Fleece award, but it didn't get my interest raised since the characterizations were so mismatched. Maybe next time, guys.

Two For The Money is a highly enjoyable DVD that features a strong cast (good acting from Al Pacino, Armand Assante, Jaime King, Jeremy Piven, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Garman, and Rene Russo), a great concept (sports and gambling - awesome!), the killer combination of Jeremy Piven and Matthew McConaughey) and good direction... So why isn't Two For the Money a 5/5 rated DVD? Unfortunately the film is too predictable. Its clear to see (from the previews and progressing plot) that McConaughey will hit a rough streak, Pacino will get grumpy and upset, etc. Yet Two for the Money is still enjoyable and a fun ride percisely because the characters allow it to be. This film could have easily collapsed and become a dragging movie... But it is continually saved by Piven, McConaughey and sports gambling!

Note: I am an eBay employee and this review is not a reflection of eBay Inc's views

I really enjoyed this movie and Matthew was a perfect "pick" to make the picks! Al Pacino seemed like money was a Drug. Pushing his protoshey Matthew to edge to make money and show him the game of the business, he reqruits Matthew to his company to pick Football teams for Bookies. He does such a fantastic job he wants to make him #1 in the business. Getting rich, Matthew sends money home to his Mother and Brother. His astranged Father supposively calls Matthew for money but, he never got that call, Al Pacino intersepted it and his father was never heard of again? that was disturbing to me and I even thought it would be another trick of his and Al Pacino would end up being the father? nope! Well, Matthew ends up on a lossing streak and everyone bet's everything they have because of his great reputation at picking the winning teams. A lot of people go broke as Matthew tries to get his streak back, Al accusses him of sleeping with his wife. and trust is broken. The last game he pick's has a lot of money riding on the company, he decides to leave during half time of the game to go back home and leave Al and his company for good, You have to watch it to find out if that final game woke Al up to see what he was doing is wrong or If his company won a ton of money>? All in All great movie I would suggest this movie to you!

Two for the Money is a good entertainment, mainly because it is based on a true story. The world of sports betting with a legal twist. Must See!

I became curious about 'Two For The Money' after my friend continually quoted lines from the movie on our annual March Madness trip to Vegas. If you are thinking about becoming a gambling professional or love the adrenaline rush of NFL betting, I highly recommend this DVD. Good luck to you...