''Free Money'' (also known as ''Double Nickels'')
is a 1998 Canadian
black comedy
Black comedy, also known as dark comedy, morbid humor, or gallows humor, is a style of comedy that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally considered serious or painful to discu ...
film directed by
Yves Simoneau
Yves Simoneau (; born October 28, 1955) is a Canadian film and television director.
Simoneau was born in Quebec City, Quebec.
Recognition
His acclaimed 1986 crime drama '' Intimate Power (Pouvoir intime)'' garnered multiple Genie Awards nominat ...
, produced by Nicolas Clermont and written by Anthony Peck and Joseph Brutsman, and starring
Marlon Brando in his penultimate film (his final screen appearance was in 2001's ''
The Score'').
Plot
Sven "The Swede" Sorenson (
Marlon Brando) is a malicious warden of the county, illegally executing some of his worst prisoners. Everybody in town hates and is scared of him, except his twin daughters (Holly Watson and Christin Watson). Swede's twins tell their father they're pregnant, lying in order to manipulate him into forcing their dim boyfriends, Bud Dyerson (
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estévez (born September 3, 1965), known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as ''Platoon'' (1986), ''Wall Street'' (1987), '' Young Guns'' (1988), '' The Rookie'' (1990), ''The Thr ...
) and Larry (
Thomas Haden Church
Thomas Haden Church (born Thomas Richard McMillen; June 17, 1960) is an American actor. After starring in the 1990s sitcom ''Wings'' and playing the lead for two seasons in ''Ned & Stacey'' (1995–1997)'','' Church became known for his film work, ...
), into shotgun marriages. He also turns his sons-in-law into slave laborers, so Bud hatches an escape plan to rob a train carrying old bills to the mint for burning. Larry is his reluctant accomplice. When Bud is captured, he is railroaded into Swede's small-town jail by the Judge (
Donald Sutherland
Donald McNichol Sutherland (born 17 July 1935) is a Canadian actor whose film career spans over six decades. He has been nominated for nine Golden Globe Awards, winning two for his performances in the television films '' Citizen X'' (1995) a ...
) and Swede. His death looks certain, until he hatches yet another plan that requires Larry's help. Meanwhile, Judge's daughter and FBI Agent Karen Polarski (
Mira Sorvino
Mira Katherine Sorvino (; born September 28, 1967) is an American actress. She won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Woody Allen's '' Mighty Aphrodite'' (1995).
She also starred in the films ...
), come to his aid.
Cast
*
Marlon Brando - Warden Sven 'The Swede' Sorenson
*
Holly L Watson - Liv
*
Christin Watson - Inga
*
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estévez (born September 3, 1965), known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as ''Platoon'' (1986), ''Wall Street'' (1987), '' Young Guns'' (1988), '' The Rookie'' (1990), ''The Thr ...
- Bud Dyerson
*
Donald Sutherland
Donald McNichol Sutherland (born 17 July 1935) is a Canadian actor whose film career spans over six decades. He has been nominated for nine Golden Globe Awards, winning two for his performances in the television films '' Citizen X'' (1995) a ...
- Judge Rolf Rausenberger
*
Mira Sorvino
Mira Katherine Sorvino (; born September 28, 1967) is an American actress. She won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Woody Allen's '' Mighty Aphrodite'' (1995).
She also starred in the films ...
- Karen Polarski
*
Thomas Haden Church
Thomas Haden Church (born Thomas Richard McMillen; June 17, 1960) is an American actor. After starring in the 1990s sitcom ''Wings'' and playing the lead for two seasons in ''Ned & Stacey'' (1995–1997)'','' Church became known for his film work, ...
- Larry
*
Martin Sheen
Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez (born August 3, 1940), known professionally as Martin Sheen, is an American actor. He first became known for his roles in the films ''The Subject Was Roses'' (1968) and ''Badlands'' (1973), and later achieved wid ...
- New Warden
*
David Arquette
David Arquette (born September 8, 1971) is an American actor and former professional wrestler. He is best known for his role as Dewey Riley in the slasher film franchise ''Scream'', for which he won a Teen Choice Award and two Blockbuster En ...
- Ned Jebee
Production
In spite of the high-profile cast, the movie was produced independently from Hollywood, by the Canadian studio Filmline.
It was filmed in the country from August 1997 to October 1997, in the Eastern Townships of
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...
. Locales used in the movie include Sutton Junction, Vale Perkins, Highwater, Mansonville, and Mount Owl's Head.
Casting
John Cusack
John Paul Cusack (; born June 28, 1966)(28 June 1996)Today's birthdays ''Santa Cruz Sentinel'', ("Actors John Cusack is 30") is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and political activist. He is a son of filmmaker Dick Cusack, and his ol ...
,
Alec Baldwin,
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Kim Coppola (born January 7, 1964), known professionally as Nicolas Cage, is an American actor and film producer. Born into the Coppola family, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Gui ...
,
Alicia Silverstone and Japanese singer
Seiko Matsuda
, known professionally as , is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she is still actively releasing new singles and albums, doing annual summer concert tours, win ...
were all originally attached to the project.
In a 2008 interview, actor
Thomas Haden Church
Thomas Haden Church (born Thomas Richard McMillen; June 17, 1960) is an American actor. After starring in the 1990s sitcom ''Wings'' and playing the lead for two seasons in ''Ned & Stacey'' (1995–1997)'','' Church became known for his film work, ...
reflected, "At the exact same time I was offered the lead in ''Free Money'' with Charlie Sheen and Marlon Brando, I was offered a role in ''
Saving Private Ryan
''Saving Private Ryan'' is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. Set during the Battle of Normandy in World War II, the film is known for its graphic portrayal of war, especially its depicti ...
''. And I chose to march off to Canada to work with Marlon Brando. I had a manager at the time—we were soon parted—but he was like, "You're gonna go do a movie with Marlon Brando that more than likely no one will see, vs. a really nice role in a movie that's probably going to win
Best Picture
This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards.
Best Actor/Best Actress
*See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress#F ...
next year?" And he was right! But the experience working with Marlon in his penultimate performance was irreplaceable. And I spent 10, 12 weeks with him in Quebec, and it was a remarkable experience, and I wouldn't trade it for any credit on my résumé."
The film was able to receive certification as a Quebec production since one of the leading cast members,
Donald Sutherland
Donald McNichol Sutherland (born 17 July 1935) is a Canadian actor whose film career spans over six decades. He has been nominated for nine Golden Globe Awards, winning two for his performances in the television films '' Citizen X'' (1995) a ...
, was a resident of the province.
In addition to this, several supporting roles went to local actors. Producer
Nicolas Clermont
Nicolas Clermont (born 1 January 1942 in Neuilly) was a French film producer. He died on 11 April 2001 in Montreal. He was noted for his involvement in the Canadian film industry.
Filmography
* Reckless and In Love, (1983)
* Eternal Evil, (exec ...
noted that the accents of the local actors could be integrated into the story, since it was set in a small, unidentified border town.
References
External links
*
*
*
{{Yves Simoneau
1998 films
1990s crime comedy films
Canadian crime comedy films
English-language Canadian films
Films directed by Yves Simoneau
Films scored by Mark Isham
1998 comedy films
Canadian black comedy films
1990s English-language films
1990s Canadian films