Free Money (1998) User Reviews (37)

Lake of fire

[PredragReviews · 6/10 · 13 June 2016]

This movie, with its superb cast, starts out as a lighthearted comedy. All of a sudden, it takes a hard left turn - leaving the viewer wondering, "What happened? Is this the same movie I was watching a minute ago?" Brando is absolutely charming and hilarious in this dark comedy and the writing is first-rate. The cinematography of the woods and country is breathtaking and you really get a sense of this "small town" from the script and acting. Sheen and Church are fabulous in their parts although Sheen sometimes speaks a little fast in some of the comic punchlines, so seeing it more than once would be of benefit. The jokes are terrible, and it's all in poor taste. The other actors {Sheen, Sorvino, and Sutherland} are O.K. in their roles. It's Brando that you can't take your eyes off of. He only made one more film after this " The Score" and that was more of a cameo. This was his last starring role in a movie and it is worth watching.

Overall rating: 6 out of 10.

Weird, uneven curiosity....

[merklekranz · 6/10 · 25 December 2007]

Everyone in this movie, Marlon Brando, Donald Sutherland, Charles Sheen, Thomas Hayden Church, Mira Sorvino, seem to simply be going through the motions, yet occasionally, bright moments of very dark comedy arise from the murky script. Speaking of the script, it just never gives the feeling of being fully developed, the actors appear to be simply freewheeling as they go along. Nevertheless, the film is watchable, and there is a chance that repeat viewings may actually improve the experience. A curiosity at best for Brando's over the top performance, a bad film at worst for the uneven script, "Free Money" might have just enough weirdness to survive. - MERK

Dumb Swedes. Far gone.

[eyesour · 5/10 · 23 June 2012]

Fargo 1996; Free Money 1998. Meaningless title. Something like the Coens' masterpiece weirdly reflected in a distorting mirror. Written on the hoof. There's the big Swedish-American boss man father figure, with a moustache; the crooked idiot son-in-law --- doubled up: stupid and stupider. Well, maybe the resemblances aren't that great. Perhaps this was all set somewhere in Canada. It does seem though as if Marlon had seen Fargo, and decided to splash out and do his own thing in the manner of. I don't actually regret having watched this, but I certainly would not recommend it with enthusiasm to anybody else, unless they wanted to gawp and gape at Marlon's exceptionally stupendous circumference. Like someone said: a big waist of former talent.

Fact is, everything about this film seemed totally pointless, and it's difficult to know what to say about it. Ms Sorvino was straight up and rather good, and so were the ditzy twin daughters. As far as they went. Donald Sutherland was entirely unnecessary. Charlie Sheen appeared to be trying hard. His sidekick I've never seen before, but he was supposed to be another Swede (judging by his name and dyed blonde hair) and he was convincingly dumb, and permanently puzzled. I empathized with him. There's a sheriff called Knudsen, which is a Danish name. Some of the characters were speaking a subtitled foreign language --- French-Canadian? Other reviewers have explained the story. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

Entertaining off-beat comedy.

[Neil-46 · 4 March 1999]

Free Money was not at all what I had expected. It is an entertaining comedy with Brando having great fun. Charlie Sheen also plays against type as a nerd duped into marriage with one of Brando's daughters.

This premiered on Sky TV in the UK without even so much as a video release but is much more entertaining than a lot of other Charlie Sheen movies of late. I enjoyed it!

Dumb & Dumberer

[casaverdeherb · 2/10 · 16 December 2010]

Very little to like here, even if you love Brando. Although incredibly overweight in this one (and probably without extra padding),

he remained true to his character despite having very little to work with. Sutherland's brief appearance is hardly more than a cameo and wasn't given any chance to show his stuff. The two leads were more than adequate with their portrayal, however, the weak screenplay and unfunny farcical plot cannot be save by good, named actors. Waste of time and money. At last the casting was decent, although little or no character development wasted the talent. The best part was the train wreck, which pretty much sums up the movie.

A Real Model Prison

[bkoganbing · 3/10 · 13 May 2008]

It's a good thing The Score came along for Marlon Brando as a farewell performance because I'd hate to think of him going out on Free Money. Not what his fans ought to remember him by.

Brando in his last years is looking more like Orson Welles and Free Money is the kind of film Welles would have done looking for financing of his own work. Brando is the warden of a local prison which in America, when it's located in a small rural setting is usually the largest employer in the area. That gives one who is in charge a lot of clout.

Unfortunately he has one weakness he indulges, his two twin bimbos otherwise known as daughters. Even when they get simultaneously pregnant by a pair of losers, Charlie Sheen and Thomas Haden Church, their hearts still belong to Daddy.

Not to fear because Brando's willing to give them jobs in the prison where they work under conditions not much better than the convicts have. What to do, but commit a robbery of a train which goes through the locality every so often carrying used money to be burned by the Treasury.

Although Free Money has some moments of humor, for most of the time it's quite beneath the talents of all those involved. Some of them would include Donald Sutherland as an equally corrupt judge and Mira Sorvino as his stepdaughter, but also straight arrow FBI agent.

Of course these people and the rest of the cast got to work with someone who many rate as the greatest American actor of the last century. Were it not for Brando's presence and were it some 40 years earlier, Free Money would be playing the drive-in circuit in red state America where the populace could see how they're being satirized.

Or a feeble attempt is made to satirize them.

The Best Worst Movie Ever Made

[barrygermansky-1 · 1/10 · 4 March 2009]

Marlon Brando had long since lost interest in acting when he made this film. His performance as "The Swede" is the worst of his career, and that is precisely what he intended it to be. He doesn't overact. Instead, he simply acts in a bizarre fashion and pokes fun at his embarrassingly gargantuan girth. The scene where Brando climbs over the toilet stall is probably the worst, funniest moment in the history of cinema. As we witness him fall head-first into a toilet, it is hard to believe that we are watching the same actor who starred in A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, and The Godfather.

I guess the real question is why Marlon behaved like this in his later years. Was he sick of the movie business? Did he just like making a complete and utter fool out of himself? I guess we'll never know. But this film serves as a fascinating study as to what bad acting is all about.

On that note, watch fellow acting veteran Donald Sutherland as he struggles to deliver his lines, embarrassed at himself for agreeing to participate in this travesty.

It SUUUUCKS!!! It SUUUCKS!!!!

[ndrew-1 · 3/10 · 3 July 2004]

Such great actors such a disappointment. Marlon Brando plays and awful character, the movie is not funny at all, a subconscious message can be seen "IT IS A DAMN CRAP!!!", "IT SUUCKS SO BADLY!!", "THROW YOUR TV THROUGH WINDOW", and so on. It is simply disgusting and irksome. In addition to foolish plot, sense of humor, there is something else. The way the rooms are decorated, the colors. It makes me sick, everything is so colourful that it might cause epilepsy. Usually I do not care about the decoration in movie but this from "Free Money" made me angry. Avoid at all costs! "Free Money" - probably for Charlie Sheen, Sutherland and Brando, but a viewer gets nothing! One watches it at cost of sanity.

Any film with Marlon Brando is worth watching.

[OttoJederman · 6/10 · 1 November 2002]

Any film with Marlon Brando is worth watching and I was not disappointed by this one. It is as though a bunch of big name stars got together and decided to make a screwball sicko black comedy. The film is erratic but overall they succeeded.

Marlon Brando is superb as The Swede, a vicious and sadistic prison warden and a true `River of Fire' on earth. He clearly enjoyed this role. Charlie Sheen is funny but badly miscast loser due to his lack of accent (more on that later). Thomas Church is wonderful as Larry, a dim bulb but big-hearted co-accomplice with Bud. Donald Sutherland is very disappointing as Judge Rausenberg, as is Mira Sorvino as his daughter the FBI agent. The scheming, teenage twins were funny and wonderful.

As with many screwball comedies, the plot jumped around frenetically and was difficult to follow. Still, I found it cohesive if lacking in continuity. The strongest points were the scenes with the Swede, the twins, and Larry and Bud while the weakest point was probably the laughably easy train robbery. Also, I found the pit bull like violence in the prison unrealistic and difficult to deal with.

Having lived in Minnesota, I was disappointed by some of the details of the movie. First, Marlon moved his hands a lot when he talked while any Minnesotan knows that a true Swede talks with his hands still --- very still indeed --- at his sides. Yah sure, yabecha! Also, the accents were very erratic. Larry had a true northern Minnesota accent while Charlie Sheen had no accent at all --- he was miscast. Marlon and Donald did fairly well but the twins sounded like Valley girls pretending to be Minnesotans --- their enthusiasm for their roles made this cute rather than annoying.

The film was so erratic and had such poor continuity that I can't give it more than a six but it still was worth seeing at least once. I recommend it to anyone with an open mind who can deal with the violence and the sexual content. This film definitely is not for children.

Drop dead dumb

[crawl-2 · 2/10 · 21 August 2005]

This wretched movie shows that not even some of Gollywood's best can salvage a true landfill deposit..

I could spend much time describing everything that was bad about this effort, but that would require more time and I've already wasted 91 minutes watching...IT.

Looking at it now, after Brando's death, shows how tragic the life of one of our greatest actors had become.

Donald Sutherland? Why?

I have to fill more lines to get this accepted. I have to fill more lines to get this accepted. I have to fill more lines to get this accepted.

Don't waste your time with this movie. I'm overdue to do something interesting. Bye.

Quirky fun

[fatburgr · 8/10 · 9 June 2000]

If you can handle a world about half a bubble off plumb, there's a lot of fun to be had in "Free Money". It's quite obvious that all of these characters would vanish in a puff of smoke in what we call the "real world", but inside their own rules of logic and social constraints it all makes perfect and hilarious sense.

Brando's warden personifies what Joseph Heller once called "a gigantic belch of a man", and Hayden Church and Sheen are perfect as man's men dragged either unconscious or screaming into their twin high school bride's playhouse version of married life.

Donald Sutherland has a nice turn as a psychotic judge, and Mira Sorvino turns in a fine performance as a kind of bridge between "our world" and the asylum run by lunatics that the rest of the characters live in.

It's quite possible that we could have lived without some of the brutality (cattle prods, gladiator fights in the prison) but then again, what the hell. It's a 90's film.

--bt

Silly movie but fun

[PaddysMovieReview · 7/10 · 11 August 2019]

You feel sorry for the dumb crooks that get unfairly treated.

Laughingly bad

[castala · 4/10 · 28 October 2012]

For all the good actors playing in this film, which is certainly their worst in their filmography for most of them, it's worth watching. It's hard not to point the holes in the script that permit them to overact. The worst clown of them all is certainly Marlon Brando. The man has clearly no interest to play with his partners in every scene is appearing. Even Jack Nicholson in "The witches of Eastwick" was more subtle. Brando's performance is a shame, because the film is rather well made. Simoneau is doing his best to put some energy is this comedy script which is making us laugh, but for bad reasons. The authors of this script have worked hard to create such basic characters that they forgot to write a story that suits them. It's unfortunate that with this cast of good actors helped by numerous ones from Quebec province in smaller roles, everybody seems to do his best to survive it's scene with Brando. The result is so perky that it's hard to understand why it's not a cult movie.

A Cult Classic in the Making

[whipsnade76 · 13 August 2006]

If any film deserves to become a cult classic, this is one. It is very bizarre and, truly, unlike anything I've ever seen. It might be trying to rip off the Coen brothers' slapstick comedies, but it has its own strange tone unlike their films. It's like a living cartoon, basically. It feels even broader than even something like 'The Ladykillers' or 'Raising Arizona' - if that seems possible. The main point of watching it is Brando, who is unrecognizable with his hysterical swede accent. He even does slapstick ... using his enormous girth for comic effect. It is strangely enduring and, despite everything, likable! Overall, this is not for all tastes. But if you like iconic stars in very strange films, this is for you. It might deserve a rediscovery sometime soon. When the comments pages mainly only has two responses -- it's great or it's horrible -- you know something interesting is going on.

Charles Strikes Again!

[tarbosh22000 · 4/10 · 13 February 2004]

"Free Money" is a middle of the road "comedy" with next to no laughs.

This Charles outing is decent but this is a pretty low-key performance. Marlon Brando stands out as the big fat warden who is of father of two twin daughters that Charles and Thomas Haden Churches' character want to date. Brando brandishes a whip for no reason. He actually tortures Sheen and Church for minutes on end. It is kinda weird. There's also a subplot with Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland that forgets to develop and it hurts the film a little. I'm still trying to figure out why Charlie want to change his name. Every movie with "Charles" has been pretty bad.

For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

Terrible

[cozmiccharly1 · 2/10 · 22 August 2005]

I watched Free Money last night & it was the longest 90+ minutes of my life. With such an intriguing cast, I really thought that I was in for a treat - especially since I'm a Brando fan. WRONG! What a waste of talent. It's almost embarrassing to watch at times (like the cattle prod scene), & there were so many missed opportunities for humorous setups (why didn't they show Charlie Sheen's character going back to tow Brando's truck?) Ugh. It tries to be a slapstick comedy, but I just wasn't buying into it. Skip this one. Only for die-hard Brando fans.

I'm giving it 2 out of 10 because I still think the worse movie ever made was Skidoo.

you'd think that a Marlon Brando movie would get more attention

[lee_eisenberg · 5/10 · 23 August 2017]

I remember seeing Yves Simoneau's "Free Money" in the new release section of a video store, despite its never having been in the theaters. I thought it odd that a movie starring Marlon Brando would appear out of nowhere. It turns out that the movie got released in Singapore in 1998 (see the header about the movie on IMDb). As for the movie itself, it makes no pretense about being silly, with Brando as a sadistic warden whose daughters feign pregnancy to force their loser boyfriends into shotgun weddings. While Brando's role reminded me of his performance as Vito Corleone, it still didn't seem like the sort of role in which I would expect to see him. The rest of the cast is OK in their roles, but the plot is so routine that the movie isn't as entertaining as it could be. Worth seeing once.

worth it just for the Brando performance

[silentbdeadly · 6/10 · 6 June 2003]

I really wanted to like this film, but it's definitely not in the same league as "Fargo" (as someone here mentioned) nor is it deep (as someone else mentioned). The film tries hard -- and does have some great jokes -- but it ambles along filled with plot holes and poorly thought-out scenes that would be better off left on the cutting room floor. That it doesn't know whether to take itself seriously or be a flat-out comedy isn't such a bad thing -- nothing wrong with breaking conventions -- but it doesn't work here because there's no reason for it, it's just an annoyance. However, that said, it's worth it to see the film just to watch Brando in one of his few recent roles as a lead actor. In fact, it's worth it just to see him get his head stuck in the toilet in one scene and belt out lines like "I want you to shut every hole in your body right now." He's playing a great character in "the Swede" -- sort of a cross between Dr. Moreau in "Island of Dr. Moreau" and the oil baron in "The Formula" -- a ruthless jail warden with a tattoo that reads "Jesus Saves" on the back of his head. I just wish his character had been fleshed out more -- this could be his own fault; he's not exactly out to prove anything anymore as an actor. The film tends to focus more on Charlie Sheen, who does a fine job, but whose character is not quite what you would call quirky. The film would have worked much better if all the characters had been as odd as the Swede and Larry, played to perfection by Thomas Haden Church. Worth a look for Brando buffs, but I rate it a 5 overall. I probably would have upped it to 6 if it weren't for the completely stupid conclusion.

ugly

[SnoopyStyle · 3/10 · 19 July 2018]

Sven "The Swede" Sorenson (Marlon Brando) is a feared prison warden. His only weaknesses are his two twin daughters Liv and Inga. The girls lie to him about being pregnant forcing their boyfriends Bud Dyerson (Charlie Sheen) and Larry (Thomas Haden Church) into shotgun weddings. The Swede murders an escaped prisoner. FBI agent Karen Polarski (Mira Sorvino), the daughter of corrupt Judge Rolf Rausenberger (Donald Sutherland), investigates and finds a pattern of killings. The boys decide to escape the tyranny of The Swede by robbing a train carrying disused bills to be burned by the Treasury.

There is an ugliness to this film. Brando is cartoonishly ugly. The girls are poor actors in their one and only credit. They probably got the job because they're twins and they're pretty enough. The boys have their own ugliness in that they're dumb but not in a funny way. None of this is funny. The most notable aspect is that this is Brando second to last film. It's better to remember The Score as his last. At least, that one is pretty good and he gets to leave on a high note. This one is a dark comedy that isn't any fun.

The Bad, The Ugly and The Very Ugly !

[elshikh4 · 2/10 · 21 September 2007]

First off, a message: To anyone who find themselves admiring this movie or - God Forbid - loving it, then you must go directly to therapy, before you become more dangerous, and hurt anybody else!

Now, considering that this is a comedy, can anybody tell me WHERE IS THAT COMEDY?!

They tried to make a live comic book which turned out to be super bloody nightmare. Even as a dark comedy, it's only dark with no comedy, being unpleasant to torturing extent. I admit that some of it terrified me. For instance, electrifying the leads, (Donald Sutherland)'s relationship with his daughter, and (Marlon Brando) hits (Mira Sorvino) by her shoes in so realistic way (perhaps he was seeing himself in her, so he was punishing himself for being in such nonsense!).

It could've been better, rather less bad. The script, till the train's heist, was nice, and I just presumed that they'd escape to have some chase like it would be another (Smokey and the Bandit) but with (Brando) as the sheriff. In fact, any of those chimeras was more merciful than that movie I watched!

(Charlie Sheen) is a very weak comedian. And while (Thomas Haden Church) is a fine comedian, he looks here so feeble (It can be the "Sheen" effect!), (Martin Sheen) plays a cameo, maybe for supporting his futile son, and (Brando) was too devilishly creepy to be in a comedy. Overall, it's where everybody didn't want to be a small time smart, or even good!

I believe this is a kind of work which they make just to earn some money. But it becomes such a crime when THIS money is robbed from the very poor us who get deceived by so low art work, and zero entertainment!

It begs the question: How come that this masterpiece didn't receive any Razzie award?! You want me to believe that there was lower movie than THIS? I do not think so. It was a situation where the Razzie's supervisors should win one for their negligence!

Name good thing about it? Hmmm.. Well, there were 2 things. The plan's scene in the bathroom; it was so good with its cinematic imagination. And the fact that this movie compared to another (Marlon Brando)'s monster movie (The Island of Dr. Moreau - 1996) would be close to (Casablanca - 1942)!

(Free Money) is not a comedy. NO, it's a horror. And I just hate horror movies. Especially when they're sold as comedies!

funny, irreverent, clever movie

[jimhesson86 · 9/10 · 18 July 2005]

Loved this film. Marlon Brando, is a blunt over-the-top parody of a small minded religious, authoritarian, middle American bigot. Very humorous characterization as when Marlon Brando who is a sadistic murderous prison warden, prone to holier-than-thou, fire-and- brimstone religious judgments, covers his beloved truck with a giant American flag and gives thanks to the lord for his truck and all the great trucks America gives to the world. Brando is a genius. He makes these quirky speeches that are soft spoken and impromptu, yet so brilliant, subtle and befitting of the oddball character he plays. Although this movie is perfectly obtuse and surreal, it hilariously portrays a certain truth about dishonest, self- centered, small town Ameircan religious fanatics. Fun just to see the assortment of big name actors even if for minor roles. Sorvino plays an interesting character who makes it big as an FBI agent returning to her hometown to track down Marlon Brando . Lots of interesting comical references to small town politics and culture. Reminds me of David Lynch. Quirky and thoughtful.

Probably a big disappointment to some, it's an agreeable time-passer

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 17 January 2012]

This is a film that no doubt disappointed many viewers. After all, it's a Marlon Brando film and he's considered, by some, to be a genius at his craft. So, it this is the category you'd fall into, the film is sure to frustrate you because it is NOT high art! However, if you can simply turn off your brain and enjoy, it's not a bad little time passer.

"Free Money" begins with two twin young ladies telling their insane and dangerous father (Brando) that they were each pregnant. So, in the next scene, you see a double wedding to two dim guys (Thomas Haden Church and Charlie Sheen). Neither suspected that the sisters were NOT pregnant and simply wanted to get married. As for Brando, he was the warden of a local state prison--and soon began treating his new son-in-laws like convicts. After all, he reasoned, they got his 'little girls' pregnant--and they needed to be punished. The treatment got so bad that Sheen concocted a scheme to rob a train carrying old bills headed to the incinerator. After all, then they could afford to run away and leave their dreadful lives.

At the same time, a VERY clichéd female FBI agent (Mira Sorvino) comes to town to investigate the warden. She's the daughter of the local crooked judge (Donald Sutherland) and she is trying to discover why EVERY prisoner who tries to escape from the prison is found shot dead...and in the back! How these two plots converge is for you to see.

On the plus side, the film is mildly humorous--though not hilarious. And, the plot is kind of cute and engaging. But, on the other hand, some of the characters were one-dimensional. Sorvino was the clichéd 'sassy feminist' character--one who, at times, acts really stupid--thus undermining her character and feminism completely. And, while it looks like Brando had fun playing his role, he overacted and mugged quite a bit. I didn't really mind this--but you won't detect any sort of master thespian in his acting! Agreeable, silly and slight--it's not great nor is it bad--sort of like toast.

clichéd stupid lady

A highly enjoyable black comedy! Seemingly avant-garde, yet comically accessible

[joegibbo17 · 22 March 2001]

'Free Money,'is a film the masses will not enjoy, for its seemingly avantgarde, zany style of film-making. At times the movies disposal of any recognisable main plot, creates not so much a sense of confusion, but focuses the audiences attention onto the true depth of its innovative,darkly sinister, serio-comical undertones. The film follows the story of two 'nobodys,'who end up married to twins of a draconian, bible-loving father (Marlon Brando,) who unfortunately happens to be the towns jailor. As time passes, Bud and Larry, the two hapless 'going nowhere' protagonists conspire to rob a train of money to solve their daily drudges, and to escape the ever-increasing slavery of the deranged 'Brando'!!! However, all does not go to plan, as the 'Swede'(Marlon Brando) smells a rat!!! Will they make it? is the question raised as all their plans buckle under the weight of the 'Swede.' People expecting a film with a good story will be dissapointed, but those seeking comical improvisation from Brando,a well crafted performance from Charlie Sheen, and a refreshing break into the wacky film techniques of 'Free Money,' will laugh and laugh, and possiblly cower- As the 'Swede' played by Brando is genuinely the scariest film character I've seen for ages- Look out!!!! It's a real shame this B movie, with A class actors didn't take off. It had the potential to be a real landmark film within this genre, but unfortunately, it went straight to T.V. Oh well. watch it, if ya dare!!!

Bearable because of Brando

[nancysemblance · 3/10 · 28 July 2007]

Watching Marlen Brando on screen is like watching a master carpenter chiseling intricate details into a piece of mahogany. Brando's acting is the ONLY thing that makes this movie watchable. The plot is inane and laughable (not comic). The other big name actors seem to be making desperate attempts to give the characters they portray some modicum of humanity... these characters have the humanity of wet cardboard. Everything about the technical side of this film is either mediocre or just plain awful. The director throws freeze-frame and slow-motion shots about with impunity. The incidental music is cartoonish and destroys any hint of dramatic effect. It's not something I really look for in a movie, but even the wardrobe was way off. The venerable Brando couldn't take focus away from the awful rags they had him decked out in. I've heard this movie called "David Lynch-esquire" and "irreverently funny"... it is neither. David Lynch films are borne of wicked creativity - this film was in no way creative. And don't confuse irreverence with stupidity.