Free Money (film)

Free Money (also known as Double Nickels)[1][2] is a 1998 Canadian black comedy film directed by Yves Simoneau, produced by Nicolas Clermont and written by Anthony Peck and Joseph Brutsman, and starring Marlon Brando in his penultimate film (his final screen appearance was in 2001's The Score).

Free Money
Directed byYves Simoneau
Produced byNicolas Clermont
Written byAnthony Peck
Joseph Brutsman
StarringMarlon Brando
Charlie Sheen
Donald Sutherland
Mira Sorvino
Martin Sheen
Thomas Haden Church
Holly L Watson
Christin Watson
Music byMark Isham
CinematographyDavid Franco
Edited byYves Langlois
Release date
December 3, 1998 (Singapore)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million

Plot

Sven "The Swede" Sorenson (Marlon Brando) is a malicious warden of the county, illegally executing some of his worst prisoners. Everybody in town hates and is scared of him, except his twin daughters (Holly Watson and Christin Watson). Swede's twins tell their father they're pregnant, lying in order to manipulate him into forcing their dim boyfriends, Bud Dyerson (Charlie Sheen) and Larry (Thomas Haden Church), into shotgun marriages. He also turns his sons-in-law into slave laborers, so Bud hatches an escape plan to rob a train carrying old bills to the mint for burning. Larry is his reluctant accomplice. When Bud is captured, he is railroaded into Swede's small-town jail by the Judge (Donald Sutherland) and Swede. His death looks certain, until he hatches yet another plan that requires Larry's help. Meanwhile, Judge's daughter and FBI Agent Karen Polarski (Mira Sorvino), come to his aid.

Cast

Production

In spite of the high-profile cast, the movie was produced independently from Hollywood, by the Canadian studio Filmline.[3] It was filmed in the country from August 1997 to October 1997,[4][5] in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Locales used in the movie include Sutton Junction, Vale Perkins, Highwater, Mansonville, and Mount Owl's Head.

Casting

John Cusack, Alec Baldwin, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Silverstone and Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda were all originally attached to the project.[6][7]

In a 2008 interview, actor Thomas Haden Church reflected, "At the exact same time I was offered the lead in Free Money with Charlie Sheen and Marlon Brando, I was offered a role in Saving Private Ryan. And I chose to march off to Canada to work with Marlon Brando. I had a manager at the time—we were soon parted—but he was like, "You're gonna go do a movie with Marlon Brando that more than likely no one will see, vs. a really nice role in a movie that's probably going to win Best Picture next year?" And he was right! But the experience working with Marlon in his penultimate performance was irreplaceable. And I spent 10, 12 weeks with him in Quebec, and it was a remarkable experience, and I wouldn't trade it for any credit on my résumé."[8]

The film was able to receive certification as a Quebec production since one of the leading cast members, Donald Sutherland, was a resident of the province.[9] In addition to this, several supporting roles went to local actors. Producer Nicolas Clermont noted that the accents of the local actors could be integrated into the story, since it was set in a small, unidentified border town.[9]

References
  1. https://variety.com/1998/film/news/samaha-behind-willows-1117467119/
  2. https://playbackonline.ca/1998/02/09/20730-19980209/
  3. https://variety.com/1997/film/news/filmline-sets-brando-in-money-1116680681/
  4. http://playbackonline.ca/1997/09/08/19060-19970908/
  5. "Sheen is scheduled to arrive in Montreal next weekend to start filming his new movie, Free Money" Montreal Gazette, Aug 16, 1997, p. 74
  6. https://playbackonline.ca/1997/09/08/19060-19970908/
  7. https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-09-21-9709190086-story.html
  8. https://film.avclub.com/thomas-haden-church-1798213672
  9. https://playbackonline.ca/1998/02/09/20730-19980209/


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