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EASY MONEY (1983) *** 1/2 Rodney Dangerfield, Joe Pesci, Candy Azarra, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Jones, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Taylor Negron, Jeff Altman. Respectless Rodney is at his peak comic form as put-upon baby photographer Monty Capuletti (the name even conjures WC Fields, whom I've always compared to Rod) whose family stands to inherit his prickly mother-in-law's vast wealth upon her accidental death with one stipulation: he remain straight and narrow (as well as clean and sober!) for one year. Some truly uproarious moments including able support from wiseguy Pesci as his best friend and fellow ball-buster (the two in his deceased in-law's stodgy department store is a riot). Top drawer Dangerfield. My favorite part is his trying unsuccessfully to get a pudgy tyke named Dominic to settle down for his portrait (`Someone shut the fat little b****rd up!')

I am not a huge fan of this film, but I've got to admit that it will most likely make you laugh. It's extremely low-brow and has a lot of cheap laughs, but sometimes a movie like this is exactly what you might need. In other words, nothing deep or requiring your full attention--just a silly movie. To me, this movie is nearly as funny as Dangerfield's follow-up film, BACK TO SCHOOL and both are fun time-passers.

The plot, such as it is, is really just an excuse to watch Rodney tell a lot of dopey jokes and get in stupid situations. He is ably assisted by a pre-mafia days Joe Pesci--an amiable friend who tries to keep Rodney from losing the money left to him by his battleaxe mother-in-law in her will--provided he STOP drinking, gambling and lose weight. The end is particularly satisfying and it's a fun romp.

Forget about those hyped up banal TV shows, and rent yourself a copy of this film. It features Rodney Dangerfield at or around his acting pinnacle, as well as some early entertaining performances by Joe Pesci and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Damn funny stuff from the beginning. Suffer along with Monty as he is forced to give up most all the things in life he holds dear, so as to satisfy the requirements of his mother-in-law's will. Some highly memorable situations and one-liners will serve as the basis of much reference material for fellow fans.

I was looking for a good comedy to watch and my mom recommended Easy Money which she had on VHS. I wasn't sure since I'm not a big fan of Rodney Dangerfield, but she mentioned that Joe Pesci and Jeffrey Jones, so I figured I would give it a shot. Now even though I'm not a fan of Rodney Dangerfield, I have to admit that he and the rest of the cast made this film extremely enjoyable. I really miss comedies like this, where the comedy was just so simple and had jokes that were a sure hit with most. Despite it being predictable and like a sit com, this was a great comedy.

Monty is a rude, over weight alcoholic with a gambling problem, he has friends who have the same problem, but a family that still loves him. His daughter is about to get married to a gang member that he doesn't approve of. But when his mother in law dies, they inherit 10 million dollars, but there is an exception to when he gets the money, for a whole year, Monty has to behave and get clean and sober. With encouragement from his family and friends, Monty does the best he can to get that money.

I just loved Joe Pesci, he's like that little kid who took on the big bully's and actually won the fight, he's just such a funny character, I love Joe! We also have the "unknown" actors of the time, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Jones, among others. I loved the ending, it's definitely a classic and so funny. I would recommend this movie to anyone, it's all in good fun and a great comedy, we need more films like this today.

8/10

Dangerfield is in top form in his first starring vehicle as a slob who tries to mend his ways in order to inherit his mother-in-law's estate. Memorable one liners and classic gags that show off the comedien's immense talents. Title song by Billy Joel.