Mad Money (2008)

Directed by: Callie Khouri | 104 minutes | comedy, romance, crime | Actors: Diane Keaton, Ted Danson, Katie Holmes, Adam Rothenberg, Queen Latifah, Peyton Smith, Cahrlie Caldwell, Richard Law, Meagan Fay, Christopher McDonald, Denise Lee, Sylvia Castro Galan, Morgana Shaw, Roger Cross, Stephen Root

Bridget and Don have always lived a life of luxury, but when he loses his job, the debts quickly pile up. After a year, Don has given up and lies on the couch all day. Bridget decides something needs to be done, but soon realizes that no one wants a middle-aged art historian with no recent work experience, so when a job as a cleaning lady presents itself as a solution, she takes it with both hands.

Due to the fact that she has no criminal record, she is allowed to work in a bank where discarded banknotes are destroyed under the close supervision of cameras and security personnel and where anyone can and is searched at all times. Having sky-high debts and having to watch all those discarded banknotes being destroyed every day is more than Bridget can bear. She devises a plan to bypass the seemingly watertight security system, involving her colleagues Jackie Truman (Katie Holmes) and Nina Brewster (Queen Latifah). The improbable happens. Her plan succeeds, and the women steal more money over three years than they could ever rake in with honest work. But then things go wrong.

If ever gaming fun saved a movie, it’s here. ‘Mad Money’ is a mediocre film, but surprisingly still entertaining because of the infectious enthusiasm of the actors to make it a pleasant film. And she succeeded. Diane Keaton in particular is very funny in her anger at the world where she and hardworking people like Don and she can fall into poverty with some setback or never escape poverty, like Jackie and Nina. Also nice is her merciless greed and addiction to beautiful, expensive things and jewelry, which stimulates her to rise above herself and actually outsmart everyone. The fact that the interplay of the ladies is sparkling and radiates warmth and affection makes it complete.

The film is rather farcical and sometimes a bit boring, but it does show nicely how people fall into crime in a simple way and especially the reasons why. In moments of desperation, the dividing line between an innocent endeavor to end a mountain of debt and committing an outright crime quickly becomes blurred in the mind. The fact that this is made understandable and even sympathetic instead of a moralistic judgment being passed on these women, makes this film a nice pass of time.