As an ardent cinephile, and watching this in 2022, within mere minutes of the film beginning there are no few aspects that quickly catch one's attention for good or for ill. With her piercing eyes, husky timbre, and nuance and physicality, Yancy Butler is a fantastic lead, and the strong, independent spirit of her character Francesca is wonderfully promising. It's therefore marginally regrettable that in a classic, cliched move, we can predict early on that Francesca is going to wind up romantically entangled with meek, nervous supporting male figure Jack (admittedly played with deft personality and range by Matt McCoy), and that they will change one another. True, it's a classic pairing, built for levity and daring in this action-oriented crime flick, but the notion seems a bit tired 26 years later. And speaking of tired, watching two characters place cigarettes in their mouths and lighting them, within moments of the film starting, feels so antiquated that it diminishes chances of taking the picture seriously. This indelicacy is briskly followed by a car chase with editing so overzealous that the stunts are partly shortchanged of thrills and excitement. On the other hand - in addition to Butler the cast also includes Trevor Goddard (Kano!) and a small part for George Buck Flower - and still more!
Thankfully, even as we try to wrap our heads around these details, 'Fast money' offers light, swift-moving, but well executed entertainment that lets us consider everything all at once. Filmmaker Alex Wright's direction and writing are equally competent and satisfying, if unremarkable. The characterizations aren't much to write home about, but the cast do an excellent job of filling their roles. The narrative treads ground that's broadly familiar - and that in some facets is overdone - but it's complete and well-written, and is duly enjoyable. There's some delightful comedic touches in the dialogue, counterbalancing more tawdry or ordinary lines. The scene writing is a bit of a mixed bag, but has some swell ideas. For example, on the one hand we get a scene set beside a pool including multiple gratuitous shots of scantily clad women, but this is then followed by a scene in which Goddard and John Ashton's characters have a conversation - and while it doesn't meet its full potential, one could easily imagine how this small aside could be expanded for Tarantino-esque humor. Meanwhile, the action violence, stunts, and effects (explosions) that we're treated to all look pretty sharp to these eyes, making the viewing experience genuinely invigorating and satisfying
Unless you're a fan of someone involved, there may not be anything about 'Fast money' that makes it a must-see over titles of a similar thrust. Take experienced composer Anthony Riparetti's score, for example - varied and solid as it lends to the mood of any given moment, but nothing that wholly leaps out at us. But if instances of inelegance or commonness are the worst that can be said of a feature, that's not at all bad in my book. This is well made in most every regard, including some fine costume design, hair and makeup work, and capable cinematography. Above all, however, I feel like casting director Dorian Dunas gets the most credit for how well 'Fast money' turned out, because those actors assembled here are what really sells the picture. Again, I relish the presence and zest Butler carries with her, and as the runtime progresses the chemistry between her and McCoy as scene partners gets better and better. And even those in less prominent supporting parts get their moment to shine, taking advantage of what space the screenplay gives them to play in.
I could do without the tropes, but more so than not I quite like this. It's a movie that only wants to entertain, with a particular blend of action, crime thrills, and dashes of levity, and I got just what I expected. Why, if anything, it's maybe even a bit better than I anticipated, as there's more and bloodier violence than I assumed, with any sense of comedy rather deemphasized (unless you also count 'Blues Brothers'-style car chases as outright comedy). If the craft were just slightly tighter and more mindful, I'd like it still more - but as it is, this is a pretty great time! You don't necessarily need to go out of your way for 'Fast money,' but if you have the chance to watch it, it's a fine way to spend 90 minutes.
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