Past Movie Review--Catching UP

Movie Review—One for the Money

Directed by: Julie Anne Robinson

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara and Daniel Sunjata

Should Have Waited for Cable (2 popcorn boxes out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film One for the Money

 An action-comedy film for adults and teens

This film is all about the burgs of Trenton, New Jersey, and Stephanie Plum, portrayed by Katherine Heigl, and her down on her luck situation that leads her to take a new job. A new job from her cousin Vinnie as a bounty hunter, a profession she has no clue about. Her first assignment is to catch Joe Morelli, played by Jason O’Mara. Joe is a cop on the run and Stephanie’s first flame from high school, who she seems to have a grudge with as well as a continuing physical interest. Being a police officer should give him a distinct advantage, but he seems to have a similar attraction and the two keep ending up in the same places looking for clues. Unfortunately, Stephanie keeps running into danger in addition to clues, so she is directed to an agent with skills to spare, Ranger, performed by Daniel Sunjata. Ranger is the man when it comes to apprehending the dangerous bail-jumpers and fortunately, for Stephanie he is only a phone call away and sometimes even closer. She also seeks the help of local street folk, Lula, represented by Sherri Shepherd, a prostitute with information and attitude to spare. However, in the search for clues Lula gets in the middle and gets hurt forging a bond of friendship. Through deadly exploits and a few accidental apprehensions, Stephanie is able to get her man and clear his name all in one swoop.

This film simply missed the mark on many levels, and it is unclear as to which bears the most responsibility. So many films are based on novels, and even if some areas are different, the basic interpretations need to be met. Throughout these novels, there is heat between Stephanie and Joe and Ranger, and in this film the temperature was tepid at best. Was it the direction or just poor chemistry, because all of these actors have been quite steamy in other roles? The casting of grandma Mazur, played by Debbie Reynolds, should have been an excellent choice, but the comedy of this character in addition to Lula’s character were drastically underplayed, almost forgotten in translation. They are some of the funniest parts of these novels and the mother just needed to be someone else, she is Stephanie’s conscience and morals and this actress, Debra Monk, was someone else. The casting, the direction and the chemistry was just wrong in this film. There are pros and cons to seeing films based on well-enjoyed novels. Many expect the film to deliver in being true to the book, but the fact is, I would have never gone to see this film if I had not so loved the books. It tends to be a conundrum and this time disappointment was delivered.