A Surprise for the Money

Rating: 7/10 (5 October 2005)

I couldn't believe when I sat down and watched an early preview of this movie. Quick editing and a fast paced presented us with Brandon Lang and his motivation in life and sports and how he bet it all and became injured and no longer could play sports. Then, he's whisked away by Al Pacino's character.
This is probably the most interesting and unusual aspect of the film the brotherhood/fatherhood between Brandon and Pacino's character. Often times, it was almost as if one was watching a love affair happen between the two. There's definitely some homo erotic overtones so much so that in one scene in which Armand Assante's character gets revenge on Brandon for losing him money, the viewer will ask themselves, wait what is up with this movie? It doesn't stop there and with the introduction of Rene Russo comes the some good old Oedipus Complex. Not that it really goes far and really makes the ending come together, but at times unnerving seeing just how far Pacino's character put his wife played by Russo out on a plate for Brandon. After all, Pacino even says "well if I'm your dad that would make you his mother". Just what is going on with Pacino's character and how wonderfully played warrants a viewing, homo erotic and Oedipus undertones and all.