TWO FOR THE MONEY (2005)

Directed by D.J. Caruso. Starring Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, Rene Russo, Armand Assante, Jeremy Piven, Jamie King. Synopsis: A small time football handicapper, and injured former college football QB, gets  recruited to New York City by the owner of a highly touted sports tout service to be its new Golden Boy. While there, he is faced with fickle nature of his success in his profession and the riches it brings him. Drama.

This movie literally called out to me. Consider this: I'm a huge sports fan, a huge Al Pacino fan, like MCounaughey and Russo, and love to bet (legally) on sports. There was absolutely zero chance that I was not going to see this flick. Of course, when you look so forward to seeing any particular movie, no matter what the reason, the potential for the disappointment factor rockets up quite a bit.

Two for the Money is no disappointment, folks. The topic of sports gambling is, in my opinion, just the backdrop of this film as its really about naked ambition, the price of huge success, and dealing with personal demons. The movie is inspired by a true story, and don't get me wrong, there is enough there to satisfy those that want to see a sports movie, the gambling element and the dialogue are righteous, you will really believe these guys are in the business if you have ever dabbled in sports betting off shore or in Vegas, but saying this movie is about sports or sports betting is, to me, like saying General Hospital was about the medical profession. Not really.

Brandon Lang (McConaughey Failure To Launch, Amistad) is a college QB who lives for sports and his football career until he suffers a major knee injury that shatters his professional football dreams, not that he gives up easily, keeping himself in shape and begging anyone and everyone for a tryout. (There is a wonderful line in these opening minutes as McConaughey narrates that goes something like this "And, it didn't take long, but one day six years had passed..." Some of us know exactly how true that can be) Anyway, in addition to keeping shape, Brandon needs money to help his struggling family and has a collection of Las Vegas style jobs, working for 900 numbers and such, when it becomes apparent that he has a real talent for making sports picks.

One day, out of the blue, he gets an inviting offer from Walter Abrams (Pacino The Devil's Advocate, Cruising) who runs a highly successful sports touting service for gamblers and wants to give Brandon a shot. You know what comes next, the wide eyed, yet confident, young guy going to the Big Apple for the first time, awed by the plush Manhattan surroundings and the opportunity, not to mention smitten-a little bit-with the big man's wife (Russo Get Shorty, Ransom).

Abrams transforms Brandon into a smooth talking, telegenic, gem of a sports touter called John Anthony, and, initially, Brandon, more than earns his keep. But, as those of us who gamble on anything will know, losses are inevitable in the long run, and the clients are paying Brandon and Walter for the false hope of a sure thing. The clients are serious, big money players who don't pay for losing advice, such as the superrich client in San Juan (Armand Assante Q & A) who bet a million a game and expect to win.

The heart of the story is the relationship between Abrams and Brandon, moving between friends, to mentor-protege, to competitors, to nemesis and back again. Pacino, of course, is wonderful, stealing the screen with his manic portrayal of Abrams, a man who has made a mint and seems determined to lose it all, the former gambling addict who has stopped but now runs a tout service, a man who obviously has an eye for young ladies, but is maniacally faithful and devoted to his wife and daughter. Its hard for any actor to not disappear on screen next to Pacino, but McConaughey does well here, again realizing that his character is supposed to be a little intimidated by Abrams.

Russo is, as we know, good enough to carry the story herself, but does not have to here, but does well as the epitome of middle age beauty and class, even though she is playing a recovering drug addict.

Also, there are two real good supporting performances, one from Jeremy Piven as the displaced favorite of Walter when Brandon arrives, another by Assante as the filthy rich bettor. Jaime King (Sin City) makes an appearance as Brandon's main object of desire ( I did not say "affection") and succeeds, but she had little to do in the way of advancing the story or showing her considerable acting talent. She was there for eye candy and it worked.

Overall, Two for the Money, is an entertaining movie that does not break any new ground, but good movies do not have to, in my book. Pacino, alone, is worth this movie, and the story is good as well, though I would have liked a little more originality in the ending. There are some very good and interesting special features for those who pick this up on DVD.

A good flick that makes it to my favorites.

For what that is worth.