Henry robs banks because that's 'where the money is'. Unfortunately, he has suffered a stroke and is confined to a wheelchair rendering his stealing days over. Or does it?
The film starts with a flashback to Carol and Wayne leaving the prom as newly crowned King and Queen driving recklessly and crashing. Years later their relationship and life is stale and boring - but only Carol thinks so. It could be argued that the flashback is just an extraneous piece of action to keep the audience interested - which is true - but it also shows where Carol and Wayne are coming from and contrasts with the dull life they have now.
The film asks you to root for criminals and isn't the first film to do that by any means but what I find interesting is what makes the normally moral cheer amorality. Harry had to all intents and purposes retired from a life of crime but, ironically, he gets his stolen money stolen and can't go to the police - for obvious reasons. Many in the audience would identify with Carol wanting to escape to something better. The potential victims are all big businesses and one of the owners in particular is a snotty tosser. And the plan is to rob without violence or the threat of violence.
Where the Money Is never drags as it reaches its conclusion. The dialogue is always excellent and there are at least a couple of classic lines in there. Being very picky about plotting I couldn't fault the screenwriters' work.
What struck me most about the film was the simplicity and economy of the writing. It's a crime that the film didn't make its money back domestically in theatres. It's meant to be Paul Newman's last ever film and it's good that it's something so artistically successful if not commercially so.
The film starts with a flashback to Carol and Wayne leaving the prom as newly crowned King and Queen driving recklessly and crashing. Years later their relationship and life is stale and boring - but only Carol thinks so. It could be argued that the flashback is just an extraneous piece of action to keep the audience interested - which is true - but it also shows where Carol and Wayne are coming from and contrasts with the dull life they have now.
The film asks you to root for criminals and isn't the first film to do that by any means but what I find interesting is what makes the normally moral cheer amorality. Harry had to all intents and purposes retired from a life of crime but, ironically, he gets his stolen money stolen and can't go to the police - for obvious reasons. Many in the audience would identify with Carol wanting to escape to something better. The potential victims are all big businesses and one of the owners in particular is a snotty tosser. And the plan is to rob without violence or the threat of violence.
Where the Money Is never drags as it reaches its conclusion. The dialogue is always excellent and there are at least a couple of classic lines in there. Being very picky about plotting I couldn't fault the screenwriters' work.
What struck me most about the film was the simplicity and economy of the writing. It's a crime that the film didn't make its money back domestically in theatres. It's meant to be Paul Newman's last ever film and it's good that it's something so artistically successful if not commercially so.