MONEY TALKS

US, 1997, 96 minutes, Colour.
Chris Tucker, Charlie Sheen, Heather Locklear, Gerard Ismael, Michael Wright, Veronica Cartwright, David Warner, Paul Gleeson, Daniel Roebuck, Paul Sorvino.
Directed by Brett Ratner.

After his screeching performance in The Fifth Element, Chris Tucker is mercifully bumped off early in Jackie Brown. But here he is the producer, so the film is his. If only he would shut up. Well, eventually he does, and Money Talks (a concoction of capers, murders, escapes, chases and impersonations) becomes a more entertaining macho time-passer than anticipated. Tucker has a lot of comic flair - but when he talks (and talks!)... on the other hand, Charlie Sheen looks so severe, he might have just been reprimanded by a judge - indeed he might have. Predictable chase and caper time-passer.

1.An entertaining crime and buddies thriller? The pattern of 48 Hours – and Chris Tucker as a variation on Eddie Murphy’s style?

2.The Los Angeles setting, the world of reporters, of street scalpers, prisons? The Mob? Criminals? The shootout at the Colosseum? A realistic setting for this action comedy? The musical score, the range of songs?

3.The title – and its tone?

4.The focus on Franklin Hatchett, his personality, ticket scalping, seeing him in action, his spiel? The campaign against him, the clash with James Russell? In prison, the handcuffs, Raymond Villard, the experiences in prison, the big gay man? His patter and survival in prison? Villard and the escape, his being dragged along as well? His shrewdness in escaping from Villard? The pursuit by the police? Their blaming him for the escape, the death of the policeman? The contact with Russell, the bargain about his exclusive story? His meeting Grace, his father-in-law? The reactions of everybody to Franklin? His chaotic behaviour? Finding the diamonds, stealing them from the car? Russell being held hostage? The rendezvous, the Colosseum, the shootout? The corrupt policeman? Aaron and his helping Franklin? The expected ending, Villard’s death, the happy ending with Franklin and some of the diamonds – and his gift to Grace in her wedding ring?

5.Russell, reporter, the world of journalism? His relationship with Grace, engaged? Grace’s father and mother? Their reaction to Russell? To Franklin?

6.Villard, international criminal, robbery, the diamonds, in jail, handcuffed to Franklin? The gang and the escape? Franklin getting free, stealing the diamonds? The build-up to the shootout?

7.The police, Pickett as corrupt, Williams as supporting the investigation? The role of the police?

8.The comedy in language, situations – and the particular style of Chris Tucker’s comedy? Charlie Sheen as the straight man?