$5 a Day (Five Dollars a Day) (2008)

49% of users liked it
(1,202 ratings)

A terminally-ill con man and his estranged son endeavor to live on $5 a day during a cross country drive in this road trip comedy from director Nigel Cole (Saving Grace, Calendar Girls). Nat (Christopher Walken) may be a great con man, but as a father to Flynn (Alessandro Nivola) he always came up… More A terminally-ill con man and his estranged son endeavor to live on $5 a day during a cross country drive in this road trip comedy from director Nigel Cole (Saving Grace, Calendar Girls). Nat (Christopher Walken) may be a great con man, but as a father to Flynn (Alessandro Nivola) he always came up short. Informed by his doctor that he's suffering from a terminal illness, Nat learns of an experimental treatment that could offer him a second chance at life. But that's all the way on the other side of the country, and in order to make the drive he'll need a wheelman. Enter Flynn: the son Nat never really knew. Despite the bitterness Flynn feels toward his ailing father, he eventually agrees to take the trip. Unfortunately money is tight these days, and if Nat and Flynn hope to reach their destination without coming up short, they'll have to meet the sizable challenge of living on just $5 a day. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Nigel Cole
Written By: Neal H. Dobrofsky, Tippi Dobrofsky
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 15, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 2010
Studio: Capitol Films

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf, DVDTalk.com
Dreadfully formulaic and absent a thoughtful emotional core, the picture is best valued as a forgettable trifle starring Hollywood's most enduring weirdo.
Brent Simon, Shared Darkness
A mildly engaging road movie of father-son reconciliation that is illustrative of the difference between charm and narrative conflict.
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
The success of the piece rests on Nivola's calm adaptability as fatherly hi-jinx tries his patience and makes its mark on his heart.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...very amusing and agreeable...

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Fresh, funny, warm, well-written script, great actors...what more could you want? This movie is wonderful. The whole concept behind this movie was a treat. Watching Christopher Walken "pay" for this trip across the country, without spending much (if any) money was really fun… More
Fresh, funny, warm, well-written script, great actors...what more could you want? This movie is wonderful. The whole concept behind this movie was a treat. Watching Christopher Walken "pay" for this trip across the country, without spending much (if any) money was really fun to watch. Very enjoyable Indie film.
Jeffrey M

A surprisingly effective, unique, funny, and mostly well written indie dramedy. It features Christopher Walken at his best, he manages to be both eccentric, funny, and tragic all at once. It's formulaic in some of its plot devices, to be sure, but has enough charm to carry it… More
A surprisingly effective, unique, funny, and mostly well written indie dramedy. It features Christopher Walken at his best, he manages to be both eccentric, funny, and tragic all at once. It's formulaic in some of its plot devices, to be sure, but has enough charm to carry it through some of the weaker moments (Sharon Stone). Offbeat and enjoyable throughout. 3.5/5 Stars
Sarah P

Enjoyable movie that's not too deep or too light...it finds a happy medium. Funny and also endearing in a Christopher Walken sort of way.