Money for Nothing (1993)

One of my all time favorites.

Dreadfully Boring

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Blistering performances.

This true story revolves around unemployed dock worker Joey Coyle (played by John Cusack) who implausibly yet miraculously happens to find 1.2 million dollars in unmarked bills on a roadside which has fallen off the back of a security truck. He is then faced with the choice of returning the money or keeping it for himself. The plot recounts his foiled attempts to hide, spend and launder the money through the local mob... and to win back his ambitious and beautiful ex-girlfriend.Even John Cusack's excellent acting ability can't save this movie. If I'm understanding correctly, this story is "based on" a true event. Man finds 2 bags of one-hundred dollar bills that have fallen from an armored truck, (total of 1.2 million dollars) and decides to keep the money. Whereupon he sets about throwing money around, even after a TV newscaster reports that police are looking for anyone who is spending a lot of hundred-dollar-bills. In one scene, he passes out money to strangers on the street. This mental midget tells practically everyone he knows about his good luck, deals with criminals in an effort to "launder" the money, and naturally, criminals being what they are, they cheat him by taking $600,000 in greenbacks and trying to give bags of nickels in return. Given this character's goal of keeping all the money and living a sumptuous life, there seemed to be nothing too ignorant for him to do in the process of defeating his own purpose. Overall rating: 6 out of 10.

Unemployed South Philadelphia dockworker John Cusack (as Joseph "Joey" Coyle) can't even get picked for day work by his own brother James Gandolfini (as William "Billy" Coyle). Still, he gets a tuna sandwich to share with buddy Michael Rapaport (as Kenny Kozlowski). On the road, the men are behind a truck when something falls out onto the street. Thinking it might make a good tool box, Mr. Cusack stops retrieves the container, which turns out to enclose $1.2 million...His friend advises turning in the money for a reward, but Cusack wants it all...A "Tareyton" smoker, Cusack would rather fight than switch. Realizing the smiling Ben Franklins need to be "laundered," Cusack brings a portion of the cash to former Catholic school classmate-turned-hood Benicio Del Toro (as Dino Palladino) and his gangster boss Maury Chaykin (as Vincente Goldoni). Cusack also finds out how easily money can get ex-girlfriend Debi Mazar (as Monica Russo) aroused. Like Dire Straits said, "Money for nothing" gets you "chicks for free." While all of this is going on, detective Michael Madsen (as Laurenzi) is trying to find the missing money...This is an entertaining picture by Ramon Menendez and his crew, but the winning situation (poor Philadelphia guy gets a chance to be rich) might have worked better as a drama; possibly, the project started as such and changed direction. The film begins with the dramatic phrase, "Based on a true story." This telegraphs the outcome and removes some of your investment in the lead character, unfortunately; many people (like me) being unfamiliar with the real-life Joseph John Coyle.****** Money for Nothing (9/10/93) Ramon Menendez ~ John Cusack, Debi Mazar, Michael Madsen, Benicio Del Toro

"Money for Nothing" shows us what one man did when he found that sum in the streets of South Philly and learned that "finders-keepers" is not an easy caveat to abide. A not-to-be-taken-seriously light drama full of familiar faces which rolls along with tongue-in-cheek, "Money for Nothing" makes for a fast moving sofa spud watch now on broadcast. (C+)

Decent, but forgettable. The story is interesting enough, but the script has its share of flaws. John Cusack is OK, but more impressive is Debi Mazar and James Gandolfini. The (in my opinion) overrated Benicio Del Toro does an especially poor job here. Worth renting, especially if you are a fan of any of the actors involved. 6/10