Easy Money (1983)

As a New Yorker, I find that it easy to see why most non-New Yorkers would not love this movie, the way I did. There is a cultural advantage to understand humor in the actions and expressions of the Staten Island dweller, if in fact, you know people who speak and act the same way.

In this movie, Dangerfield is at the top of his game and Pesci has never been funnier (in a supporting role). The dialogue between them is 'Classic, Staten Island'.

Great support comes from Jennifer Jason Leigh and Taylor Negron. Leigh plays the daughter of Dangerfield, who is recently married and still keeps hearing her father's voice, saying 'No'. Negron, Leighs' newly wed hubby, has obvious problems with this and what follows is a terrific sub-plot to an already funny series of events.

Fmovies: I was looking for a good comedy to watch and my mom recommended Easy Money which she had on VHS. I wasn't sure since I'm not a big fan of Rodney Dangerfield, but she mentioned that Joe Pesci and Jeffrey Jones, so I figured I would give it a shot. Now even though I'm not a fan of Rodney Dangerfield, I have to admit that he and the rest of the cast made this film extremely enjoyable. I really miss comedies like this, where the comedy was just so simple and had jokes that were a sure hit with most. Despite it being predictable and like a sit com, this was a great comedy.

Monty is a rude, over weight alcoholic with a gambling problem, he has friends who have the same problem, but a family that still loves him. His daughter is about to get married to a gang member that he doesn't approve of. But when his mother in law dies, they inherit 10 million dollars, but there is an exception to when he gets the money, for a whole year, Monty has to behave and get clean and sober. With encouragement from his family and friends, Monty does the best he can to get that money.

I just loved Joe Pesci, he's like that little kid who took on the big bully's and actually won the fight, he's just such a funny character, I love Joe! We also have the "unknown" actors of the time, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Jones, among others. I loved the ending, it's definitely a classic and so funny. I would recommend this movie to anyone, it's all in good fun and a great comedy, we need more films like this today.

8/10

I am not a huge fan of this film, but I've got to admit that it will most likely make you laugh. It's extremely low-brow and has a lot of cheap laughs, but sometimes a movie like this is exactly what you might need. In other words, nothing deep or requiring your full attention--just a silly movie. To me, this movie is nearly as funny as Dangerfield's follow-up film, BACK TO SCHOOL and both are fun time-passers.

The plot, such as it is, is really just an excuse to watch Rodney tell a lot of dopey jokes and get in stupid situations. He is ably assisted by a pre-mafia days Joe Pesci--an amiable friend who tries to keep Rodney from losing the money left to him by his battleaxe mother-in-law in her will--provided he STOP drinking, gambling and lose weight. The end is particularly satisfying and it's a fun romp.

Easy Money fmovies. One of my favorite movie lines is, "Can I call you dad?"

Caddyshack was described as "slob humor," and this exercise in vulgarity is a double-guilty pleasure.

There are excellent gags-- Rodney flying into the Christmas tree, Rodney flipping channels past The Lost Weekend-- and good supporting performances. Joe Pesci clipping his underarm hair says it all.

And, underneath all of the roughneck recklessness, there's a pretty well written movie.

Thanks, Rodney.

Easy Money is the most underrated comedy out there. Everyone loves Caddyshack and that movie has many hilarious scenes, but it also has too much unnecessary drama involving the caddy and his Irish girlfriend. Michael O' Keefe's the caddy, a boring character with no trace of comedy to add to the film, and he's got the most screen time! Come on. Back to School is only funny when Rodney Dangerfield is on screen and too much time is devoted to his lame son. In Easy Money you get plenty of Rodney. You also get Joe Pesci in his funniest role ever. The best part of the film is it's realistic characters and situations. This film captures urban Italian Americans better than any film since Saturday Night Fever. The dialog is top notch and Geraldine Fitzgerald as Rodney's mother-in-law is pitch-perfect in her role. The direction is especially tight for a comedy as well. There is a wonderful crane shot of Rodney's daughter's backyard wedding party that captures urban living perfectly. There is also a nice balance of dialog humor and sight gags. A scene where two men try to break into Rodney's house is visually hilarious and Rodney riding an exercise bike into his Christmas tree is as good as sight gags get.

The plot deals with Rodney's mother-in-law dying and leaving him her vast fortune. The catch is that he has to give up drugs, booze and gluttony for a whole year. The movie follows his struggle through that tough year. The plot works fine, but is immaterial for the most part. The film is about older men who may have married and reproduced, but still cruise around with the guys, smoking joints and drinking beers. It's about their easy camaraderie and the ball busting that is actually perpetrated as an endearment. Movies rarely showcase such characters, but there are plenty out there. Rodney Dangerfield and Joe Pesci represent them realistically and of course comedically as well. Look for an especially inspired scene where Rodney and Pesci check out the department store that Rodney will inherit if he makes good. It's one of those scenes that merits at least one rewind on video, believe me. A nearly flawless comedy and I highly recommend it!

If you are a big fan of Rodney's this is the movie to see! A lot of funny one liners. His comic timing is perfect.

A perfect guide to how men should behave! Also watch "Back to School"