ONE FOR THE MONEY

US, 2012, 91 minutes, Colour.
Katherine Heigl, Jason O’ Mara, Daniel Sunjata, John Leguizamo, Sherri Shepherd, Debbie Reynolds, Debra Monk, Fisher Stevens.
Directed by Julie Anne Robinson.

Stephanie Plum is the central character in a series of popular novels by Janet Evanovich. She is sometimes slow, sometimes fast and, as in this film, brings in her man.

At the opening, Stephanie’s voiceover tells us of her failures, marriage, keeping a job… but her grandmother, a sprightly, almost-80 Debbie Reynolds still acting with the same verve and cheeky lines, gets her a job at her cousin’s bail-bond firm. Her first target is a former boyfriend of whom she has bad memories, as has he of her because she broke his leg in a car accident.

It’s a mixture of crime solving and romantic comedy, the ups and downs of both.

Katherine Heigl is a strong screen presence – and is not as persuasive as slow Stephanie as smart Stephanie – and carries the film. Jason O’ Mara is the policeman who is accused of murder and has skipped bail. Stephanie tracks him down and heads for the happy ending we are sure is going to happen.

Light lite!

1. The original novels and the popularity of the character of Stephanie Plum? Transferred to the big screen? Embodied by Katherine Heigl?

2. The New Jersey settings, the suburbs, the homes, the bail bond stores? Factories, warehouses, apartments? An authentic New Jersey feel? The musical score?

3. Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum, tall and assured, her voice-over, her bad luck with life, marriage, jobs, money? Her wanting a new job? Going home, her demanding mother (upset at five minutes late)? Her father? Her grandmother and her chatter, open to everything, helping out Stephanie with a job?

4. Stephanie going to her cousin, the discussion about the job, the commissions? Her wanting the case of Joe Morelli? Her memories of Joe, the sexual relationship in the past, his ignoring her, the accident and her breaking his legs? His being upset? His mother’s upset? His being accused of murder, his being a policeman, in hiding? Luke, his comments on Stephanie, her hold over him? Luke’s secretary and her support of Stephanie?

5. Tracking down Joe? Her using her wits? A lot of luck? Her following the car, working out where Joe was? The confrontation? His attitude towards her, the kiss, taking the gun and escaping?

6. Stephanie and her going to Ranger, Ranger and his explanations of situations? Friendly, supportive of Stephanie?

7. Stephanie and her continued detective work, going onto the streets, meeting Lula? The discussions, the leads? Going to the diner? The connection with Ramirez? With Jimmy Alpha?

8. The collaboration with Joe, at her house? The relationship? Joe being present, protesting his innocence, turning the tables on Stephanie? The arrival of Morty Beyers? Wanting to take over the case? Getting into Stephanie’s car – and the explosion?

9. Stephanie and her being wired? The confrontation with Jimmy Alpha? Joe recording the interview? Its going to the police? Joe and his escape?

10. Stephanie, her vindication? With Luke, the cheque? Lula working with the secretary? Her prospects? Joe coming out from hiding? His being vindicated – and a happy future with Stephanie or not?

11. The light touch with this kind of investigation story? Romantic comedy?