Two for the Money

I don't watch football, I watch baseball. I don't gamble or bet on football teams, and no"¦ I'm not a real man after all. So that's why entering the theatre for such a film as this has my bias well in check. Although, I can appreciate a good film with the core of it based on hobbies I have no interest in, it will be tough though.

Matthew McConaughey plays Brandon, an ex-football player turned bookie. Now instead of hitting the grid with his team, he's betting on who's going to win. Al Pacino plays a guy named Walter who makes a huge living out of predicting outcomes to football games, which is why he has hired Brandon, who develops into his huge prospect. However, the alter ego which Brandon uses to sell his certainty of these games back fires as he forgets who he really is.

This movie really did nothing for me. I mean this was on a big screen, and most films present themselves with a little meaning to me, but this one did nothing. I just didn't care for what was going on, and that's a problem. I thought the topic was lame and could have gone some where, and maybe it did, but I just didn't give a crap. I wasn't in a bad mood either, I was actually in the mood to be entertained, and this one fell flat.

I did however enjoy the performances, McConaughey was really good for what he was, and in fact no one else could have played this role any better than he did. He really was a perfect fit. As for Pacino I love him to death, but he just isn't in the seventies any more, and that's a disappointment that can't be changed. I love the guy and he acted well in this, I just think his characters are losing their fire.

Now, my good friend and TheCinemaSource colleague Mr. Deevy, who also has no interest in football or gambling really enjoyed the film; but chances are that's just because McConaughey was seen several times throughout the movie shirtless and working out like a mad man. Plus, he claims that Pacino could make a reading of the Yellow Pages a riveting one; so he was pretty well biased in the other direction.

But hey, if this is your ball game, if you enjoy the highs and lows of betting on football, (which is all there really is to this"¦ well that and half naked McConaughey) then I have found your cup of tea. For me, it wasn't even close to any tea that I enjoy. In fact, this movie has forced me to give up tea. However I still love fruit, now how bout them apples?

Movie Grade: C

Synopsis:

After suffering a career-ending injury, a former college football star aligns himself with one

of the most renown bookies in the sports-gambling business