Two for the Money

Matthew McConaughey stars as a college quarterback who, after a knee injury nixes his pro plans, becomes a web sports handicapper, ultimately catching the eye of a New York-based entrepreneur (Al Pacino) who runs a cable-TV business that skirts gambling laws with a convoluted scheme of offering predictions in return for a percentage of winnings. The hothouse atmosphere of the first 60 minutes of Two for the Money is enough to hold one's attention, but—predictably—while initially very successful in his picks, McConaughey soon falls into a slump, and begins getting too chummy with his boss' wife (Rene Russo). Pacino juices things up with a typically oversized turn as the ambitious, ultra-cynical businessman, but viewers are likely to be confused by the financial dealings (no explanation is offered about the process of assessing probable winners and losers), and the film's gloomy turn at the halfway point leads to a second hour that grows so tepid that even Pacino's gleeful hamminess can't save it. The result is a movie that neither wins, places, nor shows. Not recommended. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director D.J. Caruso and writer Dan Gilroy, “Insider Interview: The Real Brandon” on the inspiration for costar Matthew McConaughey's character in the film (17 min.), a 12-minute “making-of” featurette, seven minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (F. Swietek)