One of my all time favorites.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Pocket Money is a good film, but I wonder if it would be with any other stars, or even simply one star as staying true to the book the movie's based on. The script is by Terrence Malick (yes that Malick, it was his first official Hollywood gig after all so he had to pay at least one due), and it offers some keen one-liners, some that are very subdued in the sense of humor, and an opportunity for an actor to play it how he will. It's also, akin to what's weaker about Malick, a little flimsy and aimless on plot and more about atmosphere of the situation. If Malick were directing it it might resemble one of those mythic modern westerns. Under director Stuart Rosenberg of Cool Hand Luke, who isn't an eccentric genius-artist filmmaker like Malick but a sturdy craftsman, it's a lot more simplistic, and ultimately isn't about much except two s***-kickers looking to buy some cows and get paid the money deserved.But as it stands, Paul Newman and Lee Marvin, even without the greatest material, can act the pants off of it and Newman somehow makes his character amiable and cool when not seeming to have it all upstairs except for livin' in the moment kind of thinking. Marvin fleshes his character out a bit more than Newman perhaps because, frankly, he's more of the comic relief however in slight and clever ways (watch as he is washing up and almost uses a pigeon to dry his face, or his rambling dialog when he and Newman are sitting atop the train). By the time it ends we might not feel like it can go much else, and it ends on a somewhat (though surprisingly good) ambiguous ending. But there's also the feeling that a lot has gone on, a lot of wheeling and dealing and almost nearing insight into the condition of greed and double-crossing in men. Almost. That and the sweet Alex North score that combines many forms of music.

This is one that had to sound smashing on paper. Paul Newman and Lee Marvin… two superstars… on screen together, at last! With a pairing like that, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that the resulting film couldn't miss. And while the film is certainly entertaining in stretches, it ultimately falls short of the mark.Although the premise of Newman and Marvin bonding while participating in a Mexican cattle drive (among other things) had plenty of potential, Terrence Malick's (the soon-to-be director of such esteemed films as 1973's BADLANDS and1978's DAYS OF HEAVEN) screenplay ends up feeling aimless and Stuart Rosenberg's merely competent (though pedestrian) direction fails to maintain any consistent tone nor even much coherency. The innate charisma of Newman and Martin will keep one entertained, however, and they are well assisted by the likable secondary performances of Wayne Rogers and Christine Belford, in amusing bit. The film is quite likable at times due to its cast and unassuming nature, but it undeniably bland and characterless – not to mention a disappointing waste of its superstar pairing.

If anyone has read my review of Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr's The Sundowners I said that the film has really no plot, but relies successfully on the charm of the characters to carry it along. Pocket Money falls in the same category. It just follows the driftings of its two leads to carry the film along. It works to a degree, but unlike the other film, the supporting characters aren't as interesting.Still Paul Newman who seems to personify a definition of insanity in that he keeps doing the same thing and expecting different results and his hustling pal Lee Marvin amble along in this film with such a degree of charm you can't help but like them. But you watch Pocket Money and you know these two guys will never hit the big time. Still they seem to try. My favorite part of the film is Marvin convincing Paul Newman to ride a bucking horse to gain some respect from prospective Mexican customers. It almost, but not quite descends into the kind of con games that Crosby used to employ on Hope.It would have been nice for a couple of mega stars like Newman and Marvin to have gotten a better film to do though.

If any comments represent a spoiler to the plot of Pocket Money, this is a warning to stop reading. Pocket Money is one great film. If you have been to Mexico and understand the people , Pocket Money shows the underbelly of Mexican business dealings and sociological aspects of almost "old west" life. Newmans character is almost HUDDISH. I watch the film over and over. One of my favorite scenes is when Newman and " Leaonard" confront Strother Martin and Stretch Russell in the hotel room and Newman throws the TV out the window. Another memorable scene is when, around the campfire, Marvin toys with some old 38 pistol. Throughout the film with Newman's constant " Now Leonard" line makes them seem so tied together as brothers from different mothers. It reminds me of the relationship between a friend and I in Vietnam in 68; nagging, griping and yet constantly trusting and working together.