Nothing to Lose (1997)

29% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(46,230 ratings)

Two men with nothing in common become unlikely companions in this comedy. Advertising executive Nick Beame (Tim Robbins) is not having a good day when he comes home from work to discover that his wife Ann (Kelly Preston) is having an affair with another man -- who, adding insult to injury, happens… More Two men with nothing in common become unlikely companions in this comedy. Advertising executive Nick Beame (Tim Robbins) is not having a good day when he comes home from work to discover that his wife Ann (Kelly Preston) is having an affair with another man -- who, adding insult to injury, happens to be his boss, Phillip Barrow (Michael McKean). Deeply depressed, Nick hops into his SUV and starts driving aimlessly. He ends up in a rough neighborhood where a carjacker, T. Paul (Martin Lawrence), pulls a gun and jumps in the passenger seat. Nick grumbles "Boy, did you pick the wrong guy on the wrong day," and, thinking he has no reason to live, heads out to the desert over T. Paul's objections. Nick learns that T. Paul is actually a family man who has turned to crime because he can't get a job. Nick offers to help T. Paul, though crime is not one of his strong suits, and things get even more complicated when a pair of crooks, Rig (John C. McGinley) and Charlie (Giancarlo Esposito), start following them. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Steve Oedekerk
Written By: Steve Oedekerk
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 18, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Oct 30, 2001

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
For every fresh, funny scene... there is another that is incredibly forced.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
Too embarrassing for Robbins
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Robbins and Lawrence make the perfect duo. Funny as hell.
Audrey Rock-Richardson, Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)
Robbins' understated depression and Lawrence' hyperactive ranting are the perfectly hilarious foil for one another.

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

EightThirty .

04/09/2011 (ONLINE) FUNNY! I enjoyed this awkward partnership that made things dangerously hilarious. Putting oil with water only causes separation but if you shake things up you have "Nothing to Lose" right? This is old-school for me and seeing it now… More
04/09/2011 (ONLINE) FUNNY! I enjoyed this awkward partnership that made things dangerously hilarious. Putting oil with water only causes separation but if you shake things up you have "Nothing to Lose" right? This is old-school for me and seeing it now still has me bursting with laughter, not only that but a pretty dramatic situation that intensifies the humor... hoping for the best and laughing at the worst. You got nothing to do? Put this on... kick back... you got "Nothing To Lose".
Bethany M

Hilarious. Tim Robbins and Martin Lawerence make a surprisingly brilliant comedy act. Must see film!
Cassie H

Doesn't even deserve half of a star.
Tim S

Forgettable mid-nineties comedy that did absolutely nothing for Martin Lawrence's career - or for Tim Robinson's for that matter.
Phil H

Martin Lawrence's best comedy ever haha and a surprisingly funny match up with Robbins made this a surprisingly good film. There are some really good moments in this eg. Lawrence dangling out of a window tied to a chair, Robbins on fire, Robbins going nuts at a CCTV, Robbins… More
Martin Lawrence's best comedy ever haha and a surprisingly funny match up with Robbins made this a surprisingly good film. There are some really good moments in this eg. Lawrence dangling out of a window tied to a chair, Robbins on fire, Robbins going nuts at a CCTV, Robbins losing his marbles in general lol!! its all very silly but highly amusing. Probably one of the better films of 97 actually, a real surprise haha can't stress how surprising it was that this film was good!
Jason O

Man I loved this movie when it was new...it was flat out hilarious, especially the part where Robbins has fire dancing on his shoes.
Anthony L

Quite funny in places but overall it?s an average comedy.
Aaron N

T. Paul: There's a spider on your head. Nick Beam: What? T. Paul: There's a spider on yo head. Nick Beam: Look, I'm sorry, I'm not up on all this jive talkin', home boy lingo, what's that supposed to mean? "There's a spider on your head"?… More
T. Paul: There's a spider on your head. Nick Beam: What? T. Paul: There's a spider on yo head. Nick Beam: Look, I'm sorry, I'm not up on all this jive talkin', home boy lingo, what's that supposed to mean? "There's a spider on your head"? T. Paul: It means there's a spider on your motherfuckin' head, man! Nick Beam: Well get it off! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! T. Paul: I ain't touchin' that shit! As I write this review, I am watching this movie on television and enjoying it. I have seen it a number of times and find it entertaining enough. It's nothing special, but it has its moments and is perfect for a late night viewing when you've got...nothing...to...lose... Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence make the ridiculous team in this familiar buddy movie about an odd pairing forming between to people to hopefully get what they want. In this case, Robbins' character happens to have witnessed a terrible sight, loses it, and drives off. Lawrence attempts to carjack him, but does not succeed. This results in a strange road trip, where the two eventually bond, and decide to do what they believe is right together; rob Robbins' boss. Of course this movie is mainly about the chemistry between Lawrence and Robbins and for the most part it works, mainly out of the whole opposites attracting aspect. John C. McGinley, among others also shows up in a supporting role, showing once again how great of a character actor he is in any part. It's an entertaining movie for the most part and as I said, very good if you just happen to catch it on TV and decide to stick around. Nick Beam: Now honestly, which one of us was scarier? Henry: [Looking at T] He was scarier. T. Paul: Hah! Nick Beam: Really? You didn't find what he did as contrived? Henry: No it was scary. Nick Beam: What part? Henry: The 'freeze motherfucker' part was scary and he lead me to believe that if I moved my ass, it might be blown off.
danny d

good flick, they worked well together and kelly preston was good as always
Candy R

Two very different guys cross paths one night.
xGary X

One of Martin Lawrence's less offensive offerings, but that's mainly due to Tim Robbins' entertainingly manic turn as a middle class suburbanite who reaches the end of his tether when he finds his wife in bed with another man. Kind of like a slapstick buddy version of… More
One of Martin Lawrence's less offensive offerings, but that's mainly due to Tim Robbins' entertainingly manic turn as a middle class suburbanite who reaches the end of his tether when he finds his wife in bed with another man. Kind of like a slapstick buddy version of Falling Down.
Justin Y

Story is a bit lame, but you won't really care since Martin Lawrence will keep you laughing with his action and constant swearing dialogue. The soundtrack is pretty good as well. One thing that I was hoping for was more scenes with Kelly Preston.
Curtis L

At least I remember it being funny...
Leigh R

So freakin' hilarious.
Deb S

Nick Beam (Tim Robbins) is a creative advertising executive who believes that his wife Ann (Kelly Preston) is having an affair with his slimy boss. Shocked and upset, he is driving aimlessly when a street thug (Martin Lawrence) tries to carjack him but it's the wrong day, as Nick… More
Nick Beam (Tim Robbins) is a creative advertising executive who believes that his wife Ann (Kelly Preston) is having an affair with his slimy boss. Shocked and upset, he is driving aimlessly when a street thug (Martin Lawrence) tries to carjack him but it's the wrong day, as Nick no longer has any concern for his own well being and calls the carjacker's bluff. ``You sure picked the wrong guy,'' Nick says, flooring the accelerator. On the way back they forge a friendship and devise a scheme to rob his boss to get even for the so-called affair.
Matthew A

A very funny film. This is one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Contains a lot of funny moments and a pretty interesting story. Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence make a funny duo.
Chad R

The dancing scene of this movie where Tim Robbins had his feet on fire killed me!