Money for Nothing

I have always been a big John Cusack fan and out of all the movies he's made I think that MONEY FOR NOTHING is his best one. It's smart, funny, intense, and has great performances from John Cusack and Debi Mazar. It may not be the best movie in history, but at least it will keep you entertained for a few hours.

In Philadelphia, Joey Coyle (John Cusack) can't even get a day's work at the docks from his brother Billy (James Gandolfini). While Kenny Kozlowski (Michael Rapaport) is driving him home, they find $1.2 million that fell off of an armored truck bound for Trump's casino. Kenny refuses to take any of the money. Joey asks his ex-girlfriend Monica Russo (Debi Mazar) who works in investments to help. He goes to bookie Dino Palladino (Benicio Del Toro) who takes him to Vincente Goldoni (Maury Chaykin) to launder the money. Detective Laurenzi (Michael Madsen) is investigating the case.

John Cusack is not dumb enough for this to be funny. This character is an idiot. He can't even do basic math under duress. I've never bought Cusack playing an idiot. It would work better if Joey is played by a comedian who does stupid well. Don't get me wrong. I like Cusack and I like this movie ... to some extent. Joey is such an idiot that it would be a great black comedy if the movie is cast right.

Unemployed South Philadelphia dockworker John Cusack (as Joseph "Joey" Coyle) can't even get picked for day work by his own brother James Gandolfini (as William "Billy" Coyle). Still, he gets a tuna sandwich to share with buddy Michael Rapaport (as Kenny Kozlowski). On the road, the men are behind a truck when something falls out onto the street. Thinking it might make a good tool box, Mr. Cusack stops retrieves the container, which turns out to enclose $1.2 million...

His friend advises turning in the money for a reward, but Cusack wants it all...

A "Tareyton" smoker, Cusack would rather fight than switch. Realizing the smiling Ben Franklins need to be "laundered," Cusack brings a portion of the cash to former Catholic school classmate-turned-hood Benicio Del Toro (as Dino Palladino) and his gangster boss Maury Chaykin (as Vincente Goldoni). Cusack also finds out how easily money can get ex-girlfriend Debi Mazar (as Monica Russo) aroused. Like Dire Straits said, "Money for nothing" gets you "chicks for free."

While all of this is going on, detective Michael Madsen (as Laurenzi) is trying to find the missing money...

This is an entertaining picture by Ramon Menendez and his crew, but the winning situation (poor Philadelphia guy gets a chance to be rich) might have worked better as a drama; possibly, the project started as such and changed direction. The film begins with the dramatic phrase, "Based on a true story." This telegraphs the outcome and removes some of your investment in the lead character, unfortunately; many people (like me) being unfamiliar with the real-life Joseph John Coyle.

****** Money for Nothing (9/10/93) Ramon Menendez ~ John Cusack, Debi Mazar, Michael Madsen, Benicio Del Toro

John Cusack plays Joey Coyle, an unemployed man from Philadelphia who decided to try and keep a bundle of money which accidentally fell off an armored truck...one million dollars to be exact! The story, albeit true, isn't cinematically original but did have some fresh possibilities. Unfortunately, the handling here is colorless and one-dimensional, and the film is saddled with a flat conclusion. Cusack does all right, but too many of the secondary characters are saintly and rather unbelievable. The movie's chummy tone also proved to be a false front, as the life of the real Joey Coyle came to a sad, tragic end. ** from ****

This movie made about as much money in its theatrical release as Joey Coyle found in the road. And that's a damn shame. (I was 1 of the few people who saw it the weekend it opened and closed) While it's not a great movie, there are so many talented actors in it, and the story is so sadly compelling that all I can do is say watch it.