Broad A: Christiopher Walken remains one of the funniest men alive.
Broad Z: Can’t believe you stole my thunder. That was MY opening line.
Broad A: Can I do the synopsis Z? Can I, can I?
Broad Z: Go ahead “A”
Broad A: In $5 a Day, Nat (Walken), an aging and eccentrically nuts con Man finds out he has an inoperable brain tumor and is dying. He anonymously causes his son Flynn (Alessandro Nivola) to be fired from his nothing job as a health inspector. Maggie (Amanda Peet) has just left Flynn because she has spoken to his father that Flynn told her had died. Flynn has no contact with his father. He took the fall for one of Nat’s scams and landed in jail for 11 months and wants nothing to do with the man he imagines is a thief and a crook. Flynn also blames Nat for his mother’s death. Flynn, deeply ashamed of his past and his father, tries to become NORMAL and he has failed on all counts. No job. No girlfriend. No life. When his father sends him a postcard saying COME with a voucher to Atlantic City, Flynn goes. Nat tells Flynn he is dying and he wants to know his son. Flynn figures it is another con, but for the life of him, he can’t figure out anything else to do.
Broad Z: STOP, I just read the REST of your synopsis and you’re not giving me anything to say, plus I don’t want to spill the beans on this one. They’ve got to see it for themselves.
Broad A: But this is better than “Thelma and Louise” Z.
Broad Z: It is, A. But I’m troubled by something you said on our phone call about this DVD.
Broad A: What Z?
Broad Z: You mentioned (as you were laughing hysterically) that Nat reminds you of ME. Because I try to find ways to use things that are free or really cheap in place of money. Hey, I never tipped a waitress with a phone card.
Broad A: No, and you never scammed anyone either Z. But, you have to admit….I could totally see you driving a FREE car wrapped in a Sweet & Low logo, just because it’s free.
Broad Z: Well, maybe…OK, yeah I would.
Broad A: This movie is hilarious, ingenuous, fast paced and totally engaging. I love the fact that Nat and Flynn eat only at IHOP because Nat has a driver’s license for every day of the year. With free birthday meals, including a cake with candles. They stay in Houses for Sale that are empty, and get free gas from Sweet & Low.
Broad Z: OK, so maybe it’s a LITTLE like me, only to an extreme. But at the core it’s touching. I love that this drive brings father and son close, and still keeps you laughing.
Broad A: The last scenes are superb. Great acting, great deliveries, great movie.
Broad Z: I think our readers REALLY need to see this one!
Special Features:
- Interviews: Nigel Cole talks about the script, Christopher Walken and the brains behind a movie he couldn’t not produce. The actors also talk about their rolls. – Broad Z: I found this pretty run of the mill.Broad A: Funny & Insightful
- Defining Dolores – Sharon Stone talks about Dolores the hustler who learned her craft as part of the Nat/Flynn Family of Crazies
- Still Galleries: Photos of Nigel, and all the cast – Broad Z: Again, nothing out of the ordinary
$5 a Day
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: I think both A & Z agree on this one – 5 – this movie rocks
Thank you to Image Entertainment for providing a copy for this DVD review. We were in no way compensated and all opinions are strictly our own.
Leave a Reply