Retro Film Review- Easy Money
This film was released in 1983.
Easy Money is a 1983 comedy film from director James Signorelli. It was produced by Estelle Endler and John Nicolella and released by Orion Pictures.
Montgomery “Monty” Capuletti (Rodney Dangerfield) is a hard-drinking, smoking, and gambling family man who is helping his wife Rose (Candy Azzara) prepare for their daughter Allison’s (Jennifer Jason Leigh) wedding to Julio (Taylor Negron). Monty and his best friend Nick (Joe Pesci) cause issues with their lifestyle, especially for Monty’s mother-in-law, Katherine (Geraldine Fitzgerald). Shortly after the wedding, Katherine dies and wills her vast fortune to Monty and Rose, on the condition that Monty abstain from smoking, drinking, gambling, and eating junk food. He agrees, but temptations are thrown at him from every direction.
Billy Joel performs the theme song titled “Easy Money,” which was from his 1983 album ‘The Innocent Man.’ This was a perfect addition to the movie and helped to set its tone perfectly as you go into the plot.
Had Rodney Dangerfield, who also co-wrote the movie, not been the lead, this comedy would not have been funny. However, his natural charisma, timing, and witty banter weaved into an enjoyable flick that got a lot of laughs, especially with his conversations with Joe Pesci. The two had great chemistry, working out some excellent hilarity.
My one issue with the movie is that there are two scenes where Monty’s friends are chastised for engaging in vice in front of him, hinting that they may want him to fail so they do not lose their friend to fortune. This is never explored fully and is seemingly abandoned as the plot moves forward, choosing to focus on the growing frustration of Monty having the entirety of the inheritance resting on him.
There is a minor subplot involving Allison and her new husband, Julio, not getting along, to the point where she ditches on her wedding night. This provided more comic relief as her poor spouse just wants to have a happy marriage, but Monty seemingly sabotages by accident, but on purpose in some cases. Leigh does an excellent job here and plays it off perfectly as the wayward wife.
I liked how the movie showed Monty to be a character of depth. While he engages in various dubious activities with his friends, he is shown to be a loving father and husband who, while tempted to be pulled away, always comes through for them. It was a good reminder of when family mattered to Hollywood.
Bottom line, Easy Money got lots of laughs out of me. Rodney Dangerfield is at the top of his game here and truly shines as a comedian.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Foul language, Sexual content including nudity, Substance abuse
FAVORITE QUOTE: Money caused all this. I don’t wanna’ be rich. We’re not supposed to be rich. We don’t look rich. We don’t talk rich. We don’t smell rich. No more rich!
Check out the trailer below:
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