Pocket Money (1972)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
31% of users liked it
(275 ratings)

Two modern day cowboys smuggle a herd of cows across the border in this loosely amiable comedy. Jim Kane (Paul Newman) is a cowboy who unexpectedly finds himself deep in debt and in need of some fast cash. A less-than-scrupulous businessman approaches Kane and offers him a handsome payday to escort… More Two modern day cowboys smuggle a herd of cows across the border in this loosely amiable comedy. Jim Kane (Paul Newman) is a cowboy who unexpectedly finds himself deep in debt and in need of some fast cash. A less-than-scrupulous businessman approaches Kane and offers him a handsome payday to escort 200 head of cattle from Mexico into the United States for use of the rodeo circuit. While the deal seems dubious, Kane goes along with it, and persuades his friend Leonard (Lee Marvin) to tag along. However, the cattle drive proves to be more of a challenge than the men expected, with a number of less-than-welcome adventures following the cattlemen along the way. Pocket Money also features Strother Martin, Hector Elizondo and Wayne Rogers; keep an eye peeled for a cameo appearance by Terrence Malick, who wrote the film's screenplay years before directing the acclaimed Badlands and Days of Heaven. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Stuart Rosenberg
Genres: Western, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Nov 14, 2006

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
All style and no movie.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Rosenberg's direction is pedestrian.
Diana Saenger, ReviewExpress.com
Quirky and lacking an interesting script.
, Film4
A mildly diverting modern western and buddy-buddy movie.
, Time Out
The lazily incongruous character studies of naive Newman, hard-drinking, slow-witted Marvin, and a strong support cast, come from a script by Terrence Malick.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It is so peculiar and doesn't seem to care that it strays from the usual western, that therein lies its charm.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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

Conner R

Great acting from Paul Newman and Lee Marvin as well as directing from Stuart Rosenberg, but this is a complete mess of a story and almost incomprehensible. It's a movie that makes you question if there was ever really a story being told at all. There's a man trying to… More
Great acting from Paul Newman and Lee Marvin as well as directing from Stuart Rosenberg, but this is a complete mess of a story and almost incomprehensible. It's a movie that makes you question if there was ever really a story being told at all. There's a man trying to transport horses and that's really all you can say abut the entire movie, it's difficult just to be so. I think with a better script it would've been something like Hud.
Burger S

Terrible.