Film Review: Two for the Money (2005)

Hollywood has an uncanny ability to turn even the most unusual stories into feature films, but whether this ability can always produce a satisfying result is another question. Such is the case with the 2005 biopic Two for the Money, a film that fails to live up to the promise of its intriguing premise.

The film's origins lie in the real-life story of professional handicapper Brandon Lang, who met screenwriter Dan Gilroy in 1996 and convinced him to use his life as the basis for a high-budget film. The resulting story introduces Lang, played by Matthew McConaughey, as a former promising American football player whose career is shattered by a knee injury. Forced to find alternative means of income, Lang discovers a talent for predicting sports results, using his insider knowledge and dedicated research. He is recruited by sports consulting firm run by the slick Walter Abrams, played by Al Pacino, who makes him into one of his stars.

On paper, Two for the Money had all the ingredients for at least an interesting film – a fascinating true story, a script by the talented Dan Gilroy (known for Nightcrawler), and two big stars in McConaughey and Pacino. However, the reality is a mixed bag, with only McConaughey delivering a solid performance that convincingly portrays the charming and well-spoken Lang.

Pacino, on the other hand, succumbs to his late-career tendency to overact, turning in what British film critic Mark Kermode has described as an "Al Pacino impersonation" rather than a nuanced portrayal. This is particularly disappointing when compared to Pacino's more compelling performances in relatively recent films like The Devil's Advocate and Any Given Sunday, which dealt with similar subject matter.

Gilroy's script also wastes many opportunities, especially in the second half of the film, where it drifts away from the intriguing issues of media manipulation in sports and gambling addiction, and instead drowns itself in clichés and unnecessary melodrama. Rene Russo, as Abrams' wife, and Armand Assante, as Lang's rich and dangerous client, are both underutilised in their roles.

Director D.J. Caruso's capable but uninspired direction further contributes to the film's shortcomings, resulting in a well-deserved box office flop.

In the end, Two for the Money is a missed opportunity, a film that fails to fully capitalize on its promising premise and talented cast. While the true story of Brandon Lang's rise and fall in the world of sports gambling may have been compelling, the film adaptation ultimately falls short, leaving the audience with a sense of disappointment and unfulfilled potential.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

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