One for the Money Blu-ray Review
Kristy Sturdivant
May 13th, 2012
Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl) has had a rough six months. After suffering through a divorce and losing her swell job as a lingerie manager at the department store, she decides to get a job at her cousin’s bail-bond business as a bounty hunter. Since she’s obviously qualified for such a job (please note the sarcasm), it’s only natural that her first assignment (which no else has been able to complete) is to bring in a former cop who’s on the run and also happens to be her ex-flame. With a killer story like this it’s no wonder why ONE FOR THE MONEY flopped at the box office.
First let’s deal with the story of this film. ONE FOR THE MONEY is based on a book by the popular novelist Janet Evanovich who has written dozens of books none of which this writer has read. Ms. Evanovich actually has an entire series based on the character of Stephanie Plum, so it’s safe to say that this story works well in book form, however it translates horribly to film. Maybe it’s the lackluster cast or maybe it’s just because any film that involves a bounty hunter (besides Boba Fett in STAR WARS) hasn’t really worked on screen. There is surely a group of Evanovich fans out there who were excited to see their beloved character brought to the silver screen and were sorely disappointed with what they received.
One major problem with ONE FOR THE MONEY was the casting. Though Katherine Heigl has a following in the romantic comedy genre, fans will no doubt be disappointed with this film. The first thing that may set your teeth on edge is listening to Ms. Heigl talk with a Jersey accent on and off throughout the movie. Not that there’s anything wrong with the Northeast twang, but when it comes and goes in a film it’s just annoying. Seriously, even Kevin Costner can’t live it down over twenty years after his stint in ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES. In addition to the accent we have the lack of chemistry between the two romantic leads (Heigl and Jason O’Mara) which will a kill any romantic comedy, as well as the fact that the lead character has taken on a profession in which she obviously has no business being in. There are probably a group of female bounty hunters out there that are cursing Katherine Heigl for not being able to shoot a gun properly and getting herself handcuffed to a shower by the guy she’s trying to bring in.
I honestly hate judging a film so harshly, but in this case it just can’t be helped. ONE FOR THE MONEY was just a crime against the industry and makes one wonder how such a film could get made. Many people will want to blame this on Katherine Heigl, and although she didn’t help the situation I don’t think any other actress could have done any better. There are a lot of books that could and should be adapted to the screen; unfortunately ONE FOR THE MONEY would have been better off left on the shelf.
BLU-RAY REVIEW
Video: No problems with the video as the colors were sharp and crystal clear.
Audio: ONE FOR THE MONEY is pretty much a dialogue driven film, but when there was some action the surround sound was utilized well.
Making the Money: Behind the Scenes (11:01): A typical making of featurette where everyone talks about how the book was adapted and how much they enjoyed working on the film.
Bond Girls: Kicking Ass in the Bail Bonds Industry (10:28): Real female bounty hunters that are probably crying at being associated with ONE FOR THE MONEY.
Gag Reel (2:37): Typical line flubs and laughing uncontrollably
Deleted Scene (:47): A short make-out session with the two leads. Not even worth adding onto the disc.
Theatrical Trailer for ONE FOR THE MONEY
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