nsidd
Pocket Money is a very good and subtle comedy about an ordinary person (Newman) trying hard not to be conned by shady businessmen (played by Strother Martin and Wayne Rogers). Those viewers who are looking for exciting thrills and heroic deeds from the lead characters in such films are missing the point - which seems to be the case with most of the earlier reviews of this film on IMDb.The storyline makes it clear from the start that Newman's character is a hard working modern cowboy trying to make ends meet despite not being blessed with the most sharpest of brains. As a study of such an everyman character, Newman's performance is (in my view) superb. Marvin's performance on the other hand is a little subdued and below par, but still there is a good chemistry between him and Newman in some scenes. The only disappointing aspect of this film is the ending, which seems to leave the story unnecessarily incomplete. However, overall, I would rate this a very good production of an off-beat story.
stalzz64
I love most everything I have seen Paul Newman and Lee Marvin in, and I was intrigued at the thought of seeing them in the same movie. This story really did have potential. It's entertaining until about 2/3rd of the way through. It's kind of a dumb ending and Lee and Paul's characters really could have kicked Wayne Rogers & Strother Martin's character's butts for the money, but I guess the way it turns out is the way real life is. Sometimes you just have to let it go and leave and learn from your mistakes. Don't mess with shady characters to begin with, and you won't get burned in the end.This is a rather mediocre film. How sad. It had such potential.It's cool that Paul Newman worked with Director Stuart Rosenberg again.They did a total of 4 films together. They did so well with 'Cool Hand Luke' in 1967. Those of you who follow the careers of character actors will also note that Strother Martin and Wayne Rogers were both in 'Cool Hand Luke' with Newman.Newman obviously liked Strother Martin's acting and they worked on 6 films together, including the classic 'Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid', 1969.
MisterWhiplash
Pocket Money is a good film, but I wonder if it would be with any other stars, or even simply one star as staying true to the book the movie's based on. The script is by Terrence Malick (yes that Malick, it was his first official Hollywood gig after all so he had to pay at least one due), and it offers some keen one-liners, some that are very subdued in the sense of humor, and an opportunity for an actor to play it how he will. It's also, akin to what's weaker about Malick, a little flimsy and aimless on plot and more about atmosphere of the situation. If Malick were directing it it might resemble one of those mythic modern westerns. Under director Stuart Rosenberg of Cool Hand Luke, who isn't an eccentric genius-artist filmmaker like Malick but a sturdy craftsman, it's a lot more simplistic, and ultimately isn't about much except two s***-kickers looking to buy some cows and get paid the money deserved.But as it stands, Paul Newman and Lee Marvin, even without the greatest material, can act the pants off of it and Newman somehow makes his character amiable and cool when not seeming to have it all upstairs except for livin' in the moment kind of thinking. Marvin fleshes his character out a bit more than Newman perhaps because, frankly, he's more of the comic relief however in slight and clever ways (watch as he is washing up and almost uses a pigeon to dry his face, or his rambling dialog when he and Newman are sitting atop the train). By the time it ends we might not feel like it can go much else, and it ends on a somewhat (though surprisingly good) ambiguous ending. But there's also the feeling that a lot has gone on, a lot of wheeling and dealing and almost nearing insight into the condition of greed and double-crossing in men. Almost. That and the sweet Alex North score that combines many forms of music.
michael swindle (dallasvaughnmichaels)
If any comments represent a spoiler to the plot of Pocket Money, this is a warning to stop reading. Pocket Money is one great film. If you have been to Mexico and understand the people , Pocket Money shows the underbelly of Mexican business dealings and sociological aspects of almost "old west" life. Newmans character is almost HUDDISH. I watch the film over and over. One of my favorite scenes is when Newman and " Leaonard" confront Strother Martin and Stretch Russell in the hotel room and Newman throws the TV out the window. Another memorable scene is when, around the campfire, Marvin toys with some old 38 pistol. Throughout the film with Newman's constant " Now Leonard" line makes them seem so tied together as brothers from different mothers. It reminds me of the relationship between a friend and I in Vietnam in 68; nagging, griping and yet constantly trusting and working together.
AD
