by Yazmin Ghonaim

WHERE THE MONEY IS Mariek Kanievska (2000) Where the Money Is, directed by Mariek Kanievska (Less Than Zero), written by E. Max Frye and produced by Ridley Scott, explores the relationship between a famous bank robber and his adventure-seeking nurse. Where the Money Is centers on screen legend Paul Newman, whose character of Henry Manning benefits from the actor's celebrated sex appeal, stoicism and acting abilities. Convict Henry Manning has been transferred from his prison cell to a nursing home after suffering from a stroke. Although he seems helpless to all, his assigned nurse, Carol Ann McKay (Linda Fiorentino), believes she can prove the convict's semi-paralisis is a hoax. After numerous tests to prove her theory, Carol becomes more impressed with Henry's skills. The promise of a new adventure is established as Henry is "unmasked" and coerced into devising a final sting operation. Conflicts arise, however, when Carol's reticent husband Wayne (Dermot Mulroney) grows distrustful of the two. Where the Money Is, a film which derives its strength from its tough main character, is otherwise weakened by a poorly written script. Where the Money Is suffers from the lack of character development, and consequently, from an unsustained level of suspense. Ironically, these flaws are expressed in several scenes, where the main character stresses another character's lack of transformation. For example, when Carol, the small-town caretaker, proposes a bank robbery, a dismayed Henry asks: "How did you come from caring for dead people to this?" In another scene, an irritated Henry demands of his persistent follower Carol, "What do you want?" to which she hesitantly responds "I...don't...know." Due to these and other discrepancies, which loosen the weave of the plot, Where the Money Is misses the opportunity of offering a consistently paced and witty tale about likable crooks who always know how to outsmart the enemy.		DVD Music Books Search by keywords:
Outstanding Features: Acting Where the Money Is Movie Review © 2000 Cinephiles - All rights reserved Photo © 2000 USA Films