Funny Money

With a title of "Funny Money" you ought to be able to work out that this is a film that doesn't take itself seriously ... and neither should you (take it seriously). If it helps, forget the fact that Chevy Chase is playing the lead (lots of big actors play direct-to-video films anyway), and see it more as a feature-length TV episode. There are belly-laughter moments. Just don't be expecting a different kind of film based on your experience of contemporary comedy film (for example gross-out humour). This film is less "slapstick", it is farce; that means the humor lies in lots of things happening very quickly continually upsetting the situation. The beginning of the film is not so hot but is necessary to set up the premise for the rest of the story. So basically, stick with it to when it gets to the main act.

Overview: A frivolous, fun and funny 97 minutes. Don't go expecting the scale and budget of a theatrical release.

As a big fan of Chevy Chase I was interested to watch this film and as with most of the previous comments of this film I agree that it is certainly no "Fletch" or early "Vacation" film. But the point the most people seem to be missing is that this film is an adaptation of a farcical play written by (British Playwright) Ray Cooney and as such any attempt to dissect the plot is akin to dissecting the plot of an absurdist play (see "Rhinoceros" - starring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel) - there is no point.

I think it is a reasonably good comedy although in general I find farce frustrating - namely for the reasons that annoyed most of the people who have criticised this film i.e. plot makes no sense, situations that could easily be dissolved are allowed to carry on out of control etc. Essentially this film has been created to resemble a stage production i.e small ensemble of core characters and a minimal number of sets.

I think the main characters are fairly strong and the dialogue and interaction between the characters is fast paced and funny although I do think it takes 20/30 minutes to get going.

As for the cast in general it was good and I actually thought that Penelope Ann Miller's character was excellent and she played it very well. Chevy Chase's character was also good and his interaction with both Armand Assante's and Christopher McDonald's characters brought the most laughs.

The bottom line is if you do not like farce you will probably not like this film. I also do think that in general any film that is an adaption of a stage play or remake is always destined to fail especially if the original was not American (a good example would be the remake of "The Ladykillers" - the big question being why did it need to be remade?)

Now Chevy Chase may not have done a classic comedy in this movie but this movie has got to be close to being a great comedy if not being a great comedy. The movie is about a guy who does the same boring thing every day and then mixes up a bag with a robber and finds himself rich. This movie has around 31 jokes in it and they are pretty much all funny and even though some are very hit and miss most of them are great enough to be classic Chevy Chase comedy. This movie is not quite as good as Fletch or Caddyshack but it is really quite good and overall I think that this movie is a really funny movie that deserves a high praise so I rate it 83% and under the reference of "watch at all costs" comedy.

This is a decent movie. It definitely needed more locations in terms of, the airport, per say, but the film is decent in itself. Chevy Chase does a fine job, but Penelope Miller played her role a bit too hysterical for my taste. That's my take on it, but since it is a film adaptation of a farce comedy play, then I suggest you watch it yourself and make your own interpretations, as opinions vary, especially in this genre.

"Funny Money" is a screwball comedy like they made in the sixties! One crazy situation after another! The first 30 minutes are slow! Then the pace gets fast! And when the pace gets faster and faster! The scenes get funnier by the minute! Most of the cast do a pretty good job! They all seem to have fun and it shows! The characters do really crazy things and sometimes it is too ridiculous! But because the characters are likable it is acceptable! I can understand the criticism of some reviewers! The first 30 minutes almost ruined the whole experience! It does have to placed in context of the movie! The first part is nothing but a setup for the crazy situations in the second part! This movie demands viewers to have some patience! When they do they will be rewarded! People forget that it is very hard to do comedy! And that producers have to think of several ways to draw an audience! I think they succeeded! The title suggest what the movie is:funny!