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Even Money Review

Release Date: May 18, 2007
Rated: language, violence and brief sexuality
Runtime: 1 hr. 48 min.
Genres: Drama
Director:Mark Rydell
Cast:Kim Basinger, Nick Cannon, Danny DeVito, Kelsey Grammer, Ray Liotta. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

1.0

Dave White Profile <h3>Dave White</h3> <p><strong>Your Movies.com Man at the Multiplex</strong></p> <br /> <p>Dave White's first movie review was of the animated feature Snoopy Come Home. He was seven years old...<a href="http://www.movies.com/movie-reviews/dave-white">Read full profile</a></p>

… hand-wringy … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

2.0

34

out of 100

Metascore^®
Generally unfavorable reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
30

out of 100

The New York Times Stephen Holden
A scare movie about gambling addiction, is as grim and lurid as any in the recent spate of films about the evils of crystal meth.

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30

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter
Overlong and overstuffed with cliches -- the movie doesn't seem to realize how close it comes to comedy.

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40

out of 100

Los Angeles Times
The film's subject is not race but gambling, yet the cynical message is the same: We're all pathetic.

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40

out of 100

Village Voice
The problem with ensemble films, and this one in particular, is that they often flit instead of float between story arcs. With deep lags in momentum, it is this lack of cohesion that nearly cancels out what can be great about ensemble films: the performances.

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40

out of 100

Variety Robert Koehler
Standard-issue directorial approach is perfectly in keeping with a script whose natural berth is on the tube.

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42

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
An overstructured, overacted indie drama about gambling, addiction, and the sawdusty romanticism of old-time magicians.

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See all Even Money reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 15+

Mediocre gambling drama is a pretty weak bet.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this crime drama revolves around gambling -- those addicted to it, those who enable it, and those who profit from it. The characters lie or act desperately for the sake of a big score or making good on a bad debt. Unpaid bookies and their goons beat men up and even have them killed. There are several violent scenes, especially in the last half hour; characters are shot, poisoned, and more. Plenty of swearing (particularly "f--k") and drinking, and some sex (nothing too graphic, though a sexualized 13-year-old character gets a nipple ring). On the one plus side, the film makes gambling addiction look every bit as serious as drug or alcohol addiction.

Families can talk about the consequences of addiction. Do you consider gambling to be as serious an addiction as one to drugs or alcohol? Why or why not? In most movies, gambling is depicted as glamorous and fun; how is it portrayed here? Which do you think is more realistic?

The good stuff

Messages: Characters ruin their own lives -- and those of their loved ones -- for the sake of their gambling addictions or jobs.

What to watch for

Violence: Several characters are killed: One is shot multiple times in the chest, one is poisoned, another is shot in the head. Clyde is savagely beaten by bookies and their henchmen. Murph spars in the boxing ring.
Sex: A few kisses, plus one discreet love scene in which a wife says she's going to pay a visit to her husband's "little friend" before her head disappears below the screen. A very sexualized 13-year-old discusses sex and gets a nipple ring to please a boyfriend.
Language: Double-digit uses of "f--k" (including one with "mother"). Aside from that, all the usual suspects: "s--t," "bulls--t," "ass," "a--hole."
Consumerism: Starbucks, Dell and Apple computers.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Casino, bar, and restaurant scenes feature patrons drinking beer, wine, and/or cocktails.

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.