Two for the Money

2005

Two for the Money

Critics Consensus

Despite its sportsmanlike swagger, Two for the Money's aimless plot isn't worth betting on.

22%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 110

48%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 85,510
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Movie Info

D.J. Caruso's Two for the Money stars Matthew McConaughey as Brandon Lang, a former college quarterback whose life plans changed when he suffered a career-ending injury. Brandon turns out to have remarkable skill at picking winning football bets. Eventually, he comes to the attention of Walter Abrams (Al Pacino), a very successful business tycoon who runs a giant gambling operation. Walter brings Brandon to New York and introduces him to a glitzy, fast-paced, money-drenched lifestyle that Brandon eagerly soaks up. When Brandon's magic touch begins to falter, Walter starts to turn on his protégé. Soon the two men are attempting to outwit each other, with Walter's wife (Rene Russo) caught in the middle.
  • Rating:
    R (for pervasive language, a scene of sexuality and a violent act)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    D.J. Caruso
  • Written By:
    Dan Gilroy
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $22,862,049
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Universal Pictures

Cast

Al Pacino
as Walter Abrams
Matthew McConaughey
as Brandon Lang
Rene Russo
as Toni Morrow
Armand Assante
as Novian
Jeremy Piven
as Jerry
Jaime King
as Alexandria
Gedde Watanabe
as Milton
Jarrod Bunch
as Football Player
Kevin Chapman
as Souhie
Ralph Garman
as Reggie
Carly Pope
as Tammy
Charles Carroll
as Chuck
Gerard Plunkett
as Herbie
Craig Veroni
as Amir
James N. Kirk
as Denny
Denise Galik
as Brandon's Mom
Gary Hudson
as Brandon's Dad
Chrislyn Austin
as Julia
Jim Rome
as Himself
Jeremy Guilbaut
as Mitch
Steve Makaj
as Coach
Stephen Dimopoulos
as Steve
Michael Rodgers
as Stu
William S. Taylor
as Leon
Veena Sood
as G. A. Hostess
Adrian Holmes
as G. A. Member 2
Trevor Roberts
as G. A. Member 3
Michael P. Northye
as G. A. Member 4
Brad Kelly
as Novian's Bodyguard
Jason Schombing
as Mercedes Dealer
Louis Mustillo
as Doorman
Luciana Carro
as Gail
Kendall Cross
as Make-Up Artist
David Lovgren
as TV Technician
Malcom Scott
as Man in Window
J.B. McEown
as Teammate
Robin Mossley
as Waiter at Restaurant
Raimund Stamm
as Man at Restaurant
Jonathan Bruce
as Man at Restaurant
Barry LeBrock
as TV Announcer
Joel Myers
as TV Announcer
Ronald Pitts
as TV Announcer
Trevor Babers
as Football Player
Gene Bolton
as Football Player
John Clark
as Football Player
Dustin Dennard
as Football Player
Stefan Gamlin
as Football Player
Derek Graf
as Football Player
Cedric Jefferson
as Football Player
Mike Jones
as Football Player
Russell Tyrone Jones
as Football Player
Horace Knight
as Football Player
Ty Law
as Football Player
Marques Massengale
as Football Player
O.J. McClintock
as Football Player
Dewayne Patmon
as Football Player
Kevin Reid
as Football Player
Justin Riemer
as Football Player
Christopher Robbins
as Football Player
Maxio Royster
as Football Player
Jeff Sanders
as Football Player
Brandon Tully
as Football Player
Zach Wilson
as Football Player
Allan Wilson
View All

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Critic Reviews for Two for the Money

All Critics (110) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (86)

  • Original screenwriting gives way to clichés, and the resolution, while offering closure, seems false -- too much a case of the filmmakers wanting to have their cake and eat it, too.

    Oct 12, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
    Top Critic

  • It really works as a study of gambling.

    Oct 11, 2005

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic

  • The movie has a lot of built-in flash and is thus mildly entertaining, though the running time grinds it down.

    Oct 7, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Mike Clark

    USA Today
    Top Critic

  • Pacino is having a blast, and so might the viewer, at least until our scenery muncher finally gobbles all the foliage mid-way through the picture.

    Oct 7, 2005 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • If Two for the Money maintained the same backbone as its alluring stars, it could have done much more than just break even.

    Oct 7, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Ted Fry

    Seattle Times
    Top Critic

  • Big, loud, glossy and entertaining.

    Oct 7, 2005 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    G. Allen Johnson

    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (110)

Audience Reviews for Two for the Money

  • Feb 25, 2012
    In this typical rise and demise story Matthew McConaughey is fresh-faced young men and a washed-up football player turned sports tipster - Brandon Lang. He has very high rate of accuracy catching the attention of sports gambling kingpin Walter Abrams (Al Pacino) and he quickly makes him his golden boy. Walter lives a high-flying lifestyle but all that is just an appearance - his marriage isn't as secure as it first appears - his wife (the role played terribly by Rene Russo) and Walter are recovering gambling addicts and it seems that one of them is back to the old habits! Things get complicated when Brandon's lucky streak dries up just when Walter needs it most. I was disappointed after more than 2 hours of watching this film and the main problem was that there isn't nearly enough plot here to sustain its lengthy running time. The director tried hard to introduce some sub-plots but they just vanished or somehow never fully developed. The initial set-up will keep your attention but towards the middle this film rapidly loses its way and the climax is a real downer - badly written and incredibly unsatisfying! Of course, for all the female fans, there is more than few shots of McConaughey's naked torso, while the guys can enjoy the shouting mode of Al Pacino. Badly written and poorly directed!
    Panta O Super Reviewer
  • Dec 06, 2011
    An entertaining movie with an interesting and a bit of a maniac with the sole thought of winning in gambling.
    Rodrigo R Super Reviewer
  • Mar 01, 2010
    The story is about Brandon Lang (Matthew McConaughey), a pro footballer whose career is cut short by an injury. He's hired by Walter Abrams (Al Pacino), the owner of a big betting agency, who helps turning him into a personality and earning loads of money. At first, the partnership between Lang and Abrams is flawless. Lang takes on a new name, John Anthony, and a new sense of confidence. He is consistent with his picks and the two rake in millions in cash. But then things start to go wrong and both men are pushed to the limit. Al Pacino is one of my favorite actors and has done this role before ("Donnie Brasco", and "The Devil's Advocate.")The movie did demonstrate the excitement and the dangers of gambling and is a powerful story portrayed by a trio of great actors (Pacino, McConaughey and Rene Russo).The end is very unpredictable and I must say touching. Exciting and thought-provoking, this is a terrific movie all around.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 27, 2010
    This movie sucks like a vacuum!
    KJ P Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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