Based on the 1994 book of the same name by Janet Evanovich, the action-comedy “One for the Money” stars Katherine Heigl as lead character Stephanie Plum, a down-on-her-luck ex-lingerie sales clerk who now tackles the tough bail bonds business. Heigl keeps Stephanie’s character authenticity by wearing a wig for the role and performing a decent New Jersey accent while her natural personal appeal resonates in each scene. She always keeps the audience on her side except for an odd reaction after a car bomb scene, but recovers with compelling emotional reactions to an injured friend and grisly discovery (implied, but not shown). Ranger, played by Daniel Sunjata, shows Stephanie the ropes and is also described as “the statue of David by Michelangelo, if you dipped him in caramel and strapped some heat on him.”

Jason O'Mara and Katherine Heigl star in "One for the Money." Image courtesy of Lionsgate

Stephanie’s assignments eventually lead to her main target/past love interest Joe Morelli, played by Irish actor Jason O’Mara. Their past relationship picks up again as Joe, an ex-cop, is suspected of murder and misses his related court date. Their on-screen chemistry works as the unconventional plot often surprises viewers where they meet throughout the plot while always hinting at their eventual partnership. Supporting cast members Debbie Reynolds, as Stephanie’s grandmother, and John Leguizamo, as a shady fighter manager Jimmy Alpha, impress, but it’s Sherri Shepherd who takes the pot as Lula, a memorable prostitute who helps Stephanie discover the truth behind this murder mystery.

Extra features include a great gag reel, theatrical trailer, one deleted scene, and two featurettes – “Bond Girls: Kicking A** in the Bail Bonds Industry”, which includes some rated R language while expanding the bail bonds process beyond the film, and “Making the Money: Behind the Scenes” featuring the stars, author Evanovich and director Julie Anne Robinson who puts together an amazing movie except for the bad sound in a kitchen scene with Stephanie and Joe. Hopefully filmmakers will continue future movie installments from the book sequels that include “Two for the Dough” and “Three to Get Deadly”. Recommended (***) and rated PG-13 for violence, language, partial nudity, sexual references and some drug material.

Tags: Daniel Sunjata, Debbie Reynolds, DVD review, Janet Evanovich, Jason O'Mara, John Leguizamo, Katherine Heigl, Michael Siebenaler, One for the Money, Sherri Shepherd

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 at 11:00 am and is filed under Arts and Life, DVD Review, Film.
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