Dinheiro Fácil

What a delight to see Chevy Chase back on-screen again, with a great ensemble of hilarious actors. Director Leslie Grief does an excellent job of keeping the audience in stitches from the opening credits to the final Smile.

We saw this movie as the opening film of the 2006 Sarasota Film Festival, in a theater with 1700 other people. There is no question that the audience loved it. At times, the laughs were so loud and long that if you weren't paying close attention, you might have missed the next joke.

If you are looking for good, old-fashioned belly laughs, you won't be disappointed in this film. Kudos to Leslie Grief, Chevy Chase, Penelope Anne Miller, Armand Assante and Chris McDonald.

First of all I must say, I don't agree with the current rating (6.4) which is in my opinion a result of small number of voters. This movie, except few first minutes, is a giant mess. It looks like Monthy Python on speed. I can't believe Chevy Chase is acting in this one. Obviously, we have different perception of humor as well as the taste, but this movie could not be labeled as good comedy no matter what angle you're looking at it from. Long story short and without spoilers, the whole plot is stationed to a house, and all 'humourous' situations are caused by visit of two detectives, that came to visit without warrant and could be sent away in a heartbeat by any conscious adult. I am a huge fan of comedy and also of the movies with Chevy Chase, but I was very disappointed. This movie had just a few comic situations and dialogs, not enough for calling it funny movie. I certainly wouldn't recommend this to anyone who looks for an entertaining movie.

"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!

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.

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.