Free Money (1998)

Just perfect...

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

For all the good actors playing in this film, which is certainly their worst in their filmography for most of them, it's worth watching. It's hard not to point the holes in the script that permit them to overact. The worst clown of them all is certainly Marlon Brando. The man has clearly no interest to play with his partners in every scene is appearing. Even Jack Nicholson in "The witches of Eastwick" was more subtle. Brando's performance is a shame, because the film is rather well made. Simoneau is doing his best to put some energy is this comedy script which is making us laugh, but for bad reasons. The authors of this script have worked hard to create such basic characters that they forgot to write a story that suits them. It's unfortunate that with this cast of good actors helped by numerous ones from Quebec province in smaller roles, everybody seems to do his best to survive it's scene with Brando. The result is so perky that it's hard to understand why it's not a cult movie.

Everyone in this movie, Marlon Brando, Donald Sutherland, Charles Sheen, Thomas Hayden Church, Mira Sorvino, seem to simply be going through the motions, yet occasionally, bright moments of very dark comedy arise from the murky script. Speaking of the script, it just never gives the feeling of being fully developed, the actors appear to be simply freewheeling as they go along. Nevertheless, the film is watchable, and there is a chance that repeat viewings may actually improve the experience. A curiosity at best for Brando's over the top performance, a bad film at worst for the uneven script, "Free Money" might have just enough weirdness to survive. - MERK

Loved this film. Marlon Brando, is a blunt over-the-top parody of a small minded religious, authoritarian, middle American bigot. Very humorous characterization as when Marlon Brando who is a sadistic murderous prison warden, prone to holier-than-thou, fire-and- brimstone religious judgments, covers his beloved truck with a giant American flag and gives thanks to the lord for his truck and all the great trucks America gives to the world. Brando is a genius. He makes these quirky speeches that are soft spoken and impromptu, yet so brilliant, subtle and befitting of the oddball character he plays. Although this movie is perfectly obtuse and surreal, it hilariously portrays a certain truth about dishonest, self- centered, small town Ameircan religious fanatics. Fun just to see the assortment of big name actors even if for minor roles. Sorvino plays an interesting character who makes it big as an FBI agent returning to her hometown to track down Marlon Brando . Lots of interesting comical references to small town politics and culture. Reminds me of David Lynch. Quirky and thoughtful.

I really wanted to like this film, but it's definitely not in the same league as "Fargo" (as someone here mentioned) nor is it deep (as someone else mentioned). The film tries hard -- and does have some great jokes -- but it ambles along filled with plot holes and poorly thought-out scenes that would be better off left on the cutting room floor. That it doesn't know whether to take itself seriously or be a flat-out comedy isn't such a bad thing -- nothing wrong with breaking conventions -- but it doesn't work here because there's no reason for it, it's just an annoyance. However, that said, it's worth it to see the film just to watch Brando in one of his few recent roles as a lead actor. In fact, it's worth it just to see him get his head stuck in the toilet in one scene and belt out lines like "I want you to shut every hole in your body right now." He's playing a great character in "the Swede" -- sort of a cross between Dr. Moreau in "Island of Dr. Moreau" and the oil baron in "The Formula" -- a ruthless jail warden with a tattoo that reads "Jesus Saves" on the back of his head. I just wish his character had been fleshed out more -- this could be his own fault; he's not exactly out to prove anything anymore as an actor. The film tends to focus more on Charlie Sheen, who does a fine job, but whose character is not quite what you would call quirky. The film would have worked much better if all the characters had been as odd as the Swede and Larry, played to perfection by Thomas Haden Church. Worth a look for Brando buffs, but I rate it a 5 overall. I probably would have upped it to 6 if it weren't for the completely stupid conclusion.