“Mad Money”

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes, Ted Danson

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Directed by Callie Khouri

Run time: 104 min.

January is that special time of year when Hollywood dumps all the movies that were either too terrible or too unmarketable on audiences in hopes that people desperate for entertainment will throw a few dollars its way. “Mad Money” seems to be such a film.

Despite a strong cast, “Mad Money” is a boring crime caper, a boring female buddy movie and a completely unoriginal film. It will appeal to pre-teen girls and old people with nothing better to do.

The movie makes a huge mistake right at the beginning by showing Bridget (Diane Keaton), Nina (Queen Latifah) and Jackie (Katie Holmes) getting caught by the cops in the act of robbing the bank they all work at. Why was this scene shown? There’s not even a plot twist regarding the beginning once we get back to where we started, so the next 90 minutes of the movie are waiting for the inevitable conclusion.

Then again, perhaps it is good that this scene is right at the beginning because the rest of the movie is unbelievably nonchalant for a movie about three girls who rob a bank. Let’s back up a second.

The premise for the movie is actually kind of decent. Bridget’s husband gets downsized and she is forced to get a job at her local bank. While working there, she notices that the building also serves as a facility to shred old money. So she gets an idea: She’ll team up with Nina and Jackie to steal the money that otherwise would be sent to the garbage heap. Who among us wouldn’t leap at this opportunity?

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The film spends most of the time after this decision to steal the money showing the women gallivanting and having “you go, girl!” moments before they get caught. Does this sound interesting or exciting at all? At least the three main actresses have a camaraderie that keeps the movie somewhat interesting.

Ted Danson pops up as Bridget’s husband, looking like an 80-year-old Ken doll and providing occasional good advice to his wife, which of course she doesn’t take.

For some reason, the movie brought up memories of a much better film about people who do very bad things for want of money. “A Simple Plan,” available at your local Blockbuster for about half the cost it would take to purchase one ticket for “Mad Money,” shows three men who find a bag full of money in a downed plane and decide to keep it. Despite it not being the lighthearted romp that “Mad Money” is, the film is vastly superior, showing the actions of real people dealing with real issues.

It will inspire conversation and debate, and it is a movie that is not easily forgotten. It’s also based on a best selling book, which is equally good and available at your local library for free. That’s $8 less than a movie ticket AND it lasts longer!

With “Cloverfield” playing across the street and “A Simple Plan” in video stores, there is not a single reason to spend hard earned money and time on “Mad Money.” It’s a generic film that doesn’t have anything memorable or worthwhile.

Wes Lawson can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or [email protected].