2008 Woodie Awards
'Mad Money' misses the mark
Film's premise is promising but ultimately disappointing
by Jaime Killion
Issue date: 1/24/08
Section: Movies
What should have been a fun, light-hearted and one of its kind movie turned out to be boring, disappointing and an "I've seen it a hundred times before" type of movie. "Mad Money" starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes (in her first role since becoming Mrs. Tom Cruise) had a lot of potential, but turns out to be an inadequate, not up-to-scratch film.
The premise of "Mad Money" is appealing and original. Keaton, Latifah and Holmes play three female employees at the Federal Reserve. After touring the Reserve, Bridget Cardigan (Keaton) - in dire need of money due to financial strain - hatches a plan involving Jackie Truman (Holmes) and Nina Brewster (Latifah) to steal money from the reserve that is about to be destroyed, and use it to pay off their respective bills.
Their plan works almost flawlessly. The only problem with stealing money and not being caught is the inability to stop. Once you've got the plan figured out, why stop at $100,000? Why not keep going? This greed is interesting to watch develop. Of course, even with a flawless plan, there is always somebody who ruins it by becoming too greedy.
Though solid actresses, Holmes, Keaton, and Latifah can't do a much with the trite dialogue. A lot of it is predictable and nothing special. There is a scene where Keaton and her husband (Ted Danson) spend five minutes talking about having sex in the back of their car. It would be one thing if it was Holmes' character and her husband talking about sex, but to listen to Keaton and Danson jib-jab about whether they've "done it" in the back of a car is awkward and not funny.
I have been a fan of Holmes' work since her "Dawson Creek" days and, after seeing the preview for "Mad Money," was sure she had made a hit. What was there not to like about this film? The three main stars brought "huge name" fame to the project, as each actress has made her name in show business. The director, Callie Khouri, found fame writing and directing "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," and had established a name for herself in Hollywood. It had many winning qualities, yet somehow manages to fall short.
Don't expect "Mad Money" to be a fun laugh-fest similar to "Thelma and Louise," but rather a form of fruitless entertainment. The film is worth your money if you can enjoy the chemistry between the actresses, similar to the "Ocean's 11" trio of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon. It had a lot of potential, which is why it's disappointing to see it fall flat, but every movie has flaws. If you can look past poor dialogue and a predictable plot, seeing Holmes, Keaton and Latifah enjoy themselves is worth it.
THE GRADE: B-
No amount of money can save the worn dialogue in this film.
Jaime Killion is a Reporter staff writer
The premise of "Mad Money" is appealing and original. Keaton, Latifah and Holmes play three female employees at the Federal Reserve. After touring the Reserve, Bridget Cardigan (Keaton) - in dire need of money due to financial strain - hatches a plan involving Jackie Truman (Holmes) and Nina Brewster (Latifah) to steal money from the reserve that is about to be destroyed, and use it to pay off their respective bills.
Their plan works almost flawlessly. The only problem with stealing money and not being caught is the inability to stop. Once you've got the plan figured out, why stop at $100,000? Why not keep going? This greed is interesting to watch develop. Of course, even with a flawless plan, there is always somebody who ruins it by becoming too greedy.
Though solid actresses, Holmes, Keaton, and Latifah can't do a much with the trite dialogue. A lot of it is predictable and nothing special. There is a scene where Keaton and her husband (Ted Danson) spend five minutes talking about having sex in the back of their car. It would be one thing if it was Holmes' character and her husband talking about sex, but to listen to Keaton and Danson jib-jab about whether they've "done it" in the back of a car is awkward and not funny.
I have been a fan of Holmes' work since her "Dawson Creek" days and, after seeing the preview for "Mad Money," was sure she had made a hit. What was there not to like about this film? The three main stars brought "huge name" fame to the project, as each actress has made her name in show business. The director, Callie Khouri, found fame writing and directing "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," and had established a name for herself in Hollywood. It had many winning qualities, yet somehow manages to fall short.
Don't expect "Mad Money" to be a fun laugh-fest similar to "Thelma and Louise," but rather a form of fruitless entertainment. The film is worth your money if you can enjoy the chemistry between the actresses, similar to the "Ocean's 11" trio of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon. It had a lot of potential, which is why it's disappointing to see it fall flat, but every movie has flaws. If you can look past poor dialogue and a predictable plot, seeing Holmes, Keaton and Latifah enjoy themselves is worth it.
THE GRADE: B-
No amount of money can save the worn dialogue in this film.
Jaime Killion is a Reporter staff writer
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