source: Money for Nothing

Trailer—Money for Nothing

Money for Nothing

The bad: the story is completely sitlly. The direction is as well. Not any good? Great (supporting) actors are starring in it, with only minor roles though. Mads Mikkelsen is cool. But he is about the only character I could take seriously in this silly story, that is one of John Cusack's worst ever.

This film, based on the true story of Joey Coyle, has my favorite John Cusack performance. Cusack plays Joey, a dock worker whose life is suddenly changed by finding a couple of bags on the road. Coyle's excitement about his fate exceeds his wisdom and intelligence in dealing with it. It is not an easy role to play. Cusack's performance combines naivete, warmth, greed, fear, rage, and countless subtle shades of other emotions. Although Coyle's brainpower may not be "100%," Cusack's portrayal is consistently 100% human. The supporting actors are all excellent too. This is a tightly edited film with good dialogue and many very funny scenes that never descend to the level of mindless slapstick. It's amazing to me that no one I mention it to has ever heard of it. Highly recommended.

"Money for Nothing" is a pretty good film based upon a true story (although I guess everyone already knows that the person the film is based upon, Joey Coyle, committed suicide before this film's release). The talents of John Cusack and Philip Seymour Hoffman in one and the same film is really, really interesting. Both of them are among the best actors today and even though Hoffman has a very small part he is still memorable. But the film doesn't seem to know if it's a comedy or a drama and this is not so good. Sometimes it work, but it doesn't work in this film. It's not a bad film, but it could definitely have been better. (5/10)

I enjoyed the movie (in parts) for what it is and what it delivers: a guy finds a million bucks and almost gets away with it. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously, but that doesn't mean it's without its faults. At times it makes sense, other times it doesn't. Essentially, the movie isn't anything more than the basic storyline. I don't recall seeing a villain here. The movie does go somewhere, but I think it really would have if the movie had one, especially in a movie about lost (or found, however you choose to look at it) money. Without a villain, and/or a sidekick, "Money for Nothing" barely takes off. And how in the world does this cop (played by Michael Madsen) know where Joey Coyle is if he dyed is hair blonde, and said on the phone he was already on the plane? That's beyond me. See this if you're not expecting too much. **1/2 out of ****

What would you do if you'd accidentally find 1.2 million dollars? Take it, although it's illegal and the whole police will be on your trail? Or return it, get a 20.000 dollars reward, but live patiently, with no problems? That's the theme of the movie and the lucky guy that finds the money is John Cusack. Worth to watch, but still too simple plot (it's a theme that could've lead to great situations), predictable ending, poor acting and not tensed at all. Vote: 5 out of 10.

Highly underrated movie deserves a better look, telling the real facts happened in Philadelphia in 1981 when a young guy called Joey Coyle found 1.2 million dollar that fell off of armored car in desert road, all end up in jail, perhaps the best performance made by John Cusack and supported by a great casting as James Gandolfini, Debi Mazar, Michael Madsen, Benicio Del Toro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michael Rapaport among others, the movie shows all little mistakes committed by Joey which taking him to be arrested, in Fact the real Joey has found dead supposedly committed suicide just before the movie release!! Resume: First watch: 1998 / How many: 3 / Source: Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 7

This movie is based on the true story of Joey Coyle who found some money lost by a bank and tried to keep it. It is very realistic and the cast includes lots of familiar names like John Cussak, Philip Seymore Hoffman, Benicio Del Toro and Michael Madson, all giving convincing performance. For me it should be rated about 7.2.