Nothing to Lose (1997)

Director:

Steve Oedekerk

Writer (WGA):

Steve Oedekerk (written by)

Release Date:

18 July 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

When the odds are against you, sometimes the only bet is yourself.

Plot:

Nick Beam's life couldn't get any worse. He discovers he has been living a lie and is on the verge of a nervous breakdown...

Plot Keywords:

Surprise After End Credits | Mistaken Identity | Rap Music | Race Relations | Chase Scene

Awards:

1 win

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 10

10:00 AM

TBS

Cast

Martin Lawrence	...	Terrance Paul Davidson
Tim Robbins	...	Nick Beam
John C. McGinley	...	Davis 'Rig' Lanlow
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Charlie Dunt
Kelly Preston	...	Ann Beam
Michael McKean	...	Phillip "P.B" Barrow
Rebecca Gayheart	...	Danielle
Susan Barnes	...	Delores
Irma P. Hall	...	Bertha 'Mama' Davidson
Samaria Graham	...	Lisa Davidson
Marcus T. Paulk	...	Joey Davidson (as Marcus Paulk)
Penny Bae Bridges	...	Tonya Davidson
Steve Oedekerk	...	Security Guard Baxter
Mary Jo Keenen	...	Grace
Lisa Mende	...	Emma

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language, and some sexuality and violence.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:12 (video rating) | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:18 | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Goofs:

Continuity: The red cover on the pump at the gas station

Quotes:

Rig: I bet you sold more girl scout cookies than any other member of the whole troop, didn't you? What were you calling yourself back then? Yelanda? You little bitch! Cynthia? Susan? What was it, I can't remember.

Movie Connections:

References Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

Soundtrack:

New York City

Best Black Guy, White Guy Comedy ever

Even better than Trading Places. (I will only spoil the first 20 minutes.) Nick Beam, well played by Tim Robbins, is an upper-middle class white man with a pretty wife, a successful career in advertising, and a nice home. His marriage seems happy, but one day he comes home early and sees his wife straddling another man in their bed. He doesn't say anything. She doesn't even know he was there. He finds his boss's cuff links on the way out, and therefore realises that it was his boss whom his wife was on top of.

After driving in a daze at about 20 miles an hour, Nick Beam wanders into the ghetto. This is where Terrance, played by Martin Laurence, attempts to mug him. Well, Nick Beam is so depressed that he really doesn't value his own life, and takes Terrance for a little ride.

The rest of the movie is filled with their crazy adventures. A few robberies, and Tim's gradual transformation into a criminal. There is a hilarious scene where Tim has a spider on his head, freaks out, and... well you'll see. That scene alone would have made the movie worth watching even if the rest were terrible. But fortunately, there is plenty more wacky adventures for these two before the twist at the end.

Most of this is comedy, but it does get a little serious at certain parts. How could the producers contrast the lives of a well-to-do white man with a struggling black man from the ghetto without going into social injustices? Nick Beam accuses Terrance of laziness and wasting his time robbing people instead of finding a job. Terrance never goes into details, but just tells Nick not to judge him. Then, Nick discovered several rejection letters to Terrance from potential employers. Furthermore, Terrance, a mugger, has a wife and kids and he seems to be a good father to them. It looks like Terrance is more than a common thug.

Lastly, I complement the musical choices. The spider dance scene was to the song, I think its called, 'The Scott Man.' Something like that. Its funny. Later in the movie, Pachebel's 'Canon' is played. The song at the end of the movie is a rap to the music of 'Canon.' I don't normally like rap, but I liked that, very creative.

I give the movie a perfect 10. Its not a copy of Trading Places at all, but it does have a similar theme, rich white guy, poor black guy. This is one of the few movies that has made me laugh uncontrollably for more than a few seconds at a time. If you haven't seen it, watch it, and you will watch it many more times after, I guarantee.