Cool Money

I thought this was a pretty good movie, but it bothered me that I couldn't figure out in what time period it was supposed to be set. The cars are usually a dead giveaway, but here we have one of the characters driving a mid '70's Ford sedan, one driving an late '80's GM station wagon, and the main character in what looks like a 2005 Chrysler. Not to mention the gang uses a late '90's Lincoln to drive to their heists. I figured that since there were no cell phones or computers it must be the mid-to-late '70's, but then seeing a modern electronic PBX telephone console at the hotel brings you back to the '90's! The acting and writing were quite good, and the movie moved along at a good pace. Enjoyable.

I thought the movie was pretty good. I agree that they did take some license with actual facts (Rochester Downs, should have been Batavia Downs). I believe that they did that in order to remain within a fairly small budget. Overall, I really liked the film. It was interesting and although it was not action packed, it didn't ever seem to move slowly. The characters were very believable and the dialogue was real. All the actors did a great job in making you want to root for the bad guys. It certainly made me interested in finding out more about the actual events on which it was based. Also, having James Marsters in the lead role didn't hurt at all.

Cool Money is based in true facts about a former convict Bobby Confort (James Marsters) that went to the jail for small robberies, after escape and arrested afterwards he claims at courthouse that already fulfilled his sentence, he was release at once , soon is back on business, now with a Italian crook descendant Sammy Nalo (John Cassini) with bad manners and wears kitsch clothes, they planning something big, the targets are the high class Manhattan hotels and their pulpy safe Boxes, he was double-cross by his jealous Policeman cousin Phil Parris (Schombing), the robberies are quite well and profitable, Bobby found enough, somehow Sammy has unexpected troubles with his former friends from Chicago's Mob, they must make the final job on first target hotel, wich they were outrageous expelled, a bit slow pace, but far away to be bad, has a fine veteran actor Wayne Robson as Doc a skilled thief, including the famous actress Margot Kidder as fiery Bobby's mom, let it see easily!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6

Briefly: Rather entertaining for a late night TV movie with good food and wine and not much else to do, however, don't expect to toss your nickers off for it either. Picture Ocean's 11 poor neighbour with an eviction notice under the door, and there you'll have it :P

The good:

Actors were good. General plot was fine. Atmosphere was there. Music the right style for this type of movie.

The bad/unfortunate:

Direction: there was such a mush up of directional styles superficially coming and going... did not really stick to a signature style. Had a little or rather tried to have a little bit of a Tarantino vibe to it (without the violence bit but the narrative dialogue there) but...uh..NO. It could have been so much more. Still, all in all it keeps moving at an appropriate pace so it doesn't bore you to death like other low budget films I have witnessed.

Script: Gosh, it was weak at times. I thought some scenes were not required, some others not expanded as much, some characters truly interesting not really developed. Had few humorous bits in there but not as much. It lacked originality at times and especially at the robberies!!! I mean come on!This movie should have had at least a bit smart and complex robbery scenes or at least the LAST one that was supposedly a big fish. Again, had the potential to be so much more.

Unfortunate title: I mean ''cool money'' really? so not cool...

I don't know what I expected, but the acting was really great in this. I knew Marsters was going to be good, but was also impressed with the men who played Sammy, Doc, PEggy (Margot Kidder) and the guy who was afraid of the elevator,--City, (Conrad Dunn--who I enjoyed as "Nick the Pimp" on DAYS OF OUR LIVES years ago) and Doc's cousin (was it?) Country, who had the crown on his head.

James Marsters...sigh. He just blew me away when he played Spike on BUFFY. I don't think I'll ever get over that story or his incredible performance on that show. No British accent, a bit more subdued and not such a "character" (although smooth) James shows us once again just how versatile and talented he is. Somebody give this guy the lead in a series, I need to see him---weekly.