One for the Money (film)

Plot

Stephanie Plum, out of work and out of cash, turns in desperation to her disreputable cousin Vinnie, of Vinnies Bail Bonds, for work. Despite having no equipment, training or particular skill she becomes a bail enforcement agent, chasing after Vinnies highest stakes bail jumper: Joe Morelli, a former vice cop who is wanted for murder, who also happened to seduce and dump Stephanie back in high school after taking her virginity.

In the midst of the chase, Stephanie has to deal with her meddling family, a problematic tendency of witnesses who die when she gets too close, and lessons in bounty hunting from the mysterious Ranger. When she finally catches up to Morelli, she realizes that the case against him doesnt add up and that the old flame from their school days may just be rekindling.

Cast

Production

In an October 2010 interview, author Janet Evanovich stated that TriStar Pictures had purchased the rights to her novel thirteen years previously, and the film had been in development hell since that time. When asked about the status of the film, Evanovich commented, "Hard to believe theyve been sitting on this multi-million dollar franchise for all these years but go figure." In February 2010, Variety announced that Katherine Heigl had been cast to play Stephanie Plum. In April 2010, Lionsgate announced that they had acquired distribution rights, would co-produce with Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Lakeshore Entertainment (which had acquired the rights from Columbia), and Julie Anne Robinson (The Last Song) would direct.

The film adaptation was produced by Tom Rosenberg for Lakeshore Entertainment, with Katherine Heigl playing the role of Stephanie Plum. The production was shot in metropolitan Pittsburgh from July to early September 2010. Principal photography began the week of July 12, 2010, in the borough of Ambridge in suburban Beaver County, and continued in six different locations in the town. Pittsburghs Central Northside neighborhood as well as the recently shuttered UPMC facility in the inner suburb of Braddock, doubled for the books setting of Trenton, New Jersey, neighborhoods and government buildings. Establishing shot of bridge overlooking Trenton, New Jersey was filmed in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

Release

The film was released on January 27, 2012.

Reception

The film was not initially screened for critics and has been widely panned; it currently holds a 2% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 53 reviews with the consensus: "Dull and unfunny, One for the Money wastes Katherine Heigls talents on a stunningly generic comic thriller."

Despite the poor reception, author Janet Evanovich was delighted with how the film turned out and did some joint interviews with Heigl to promote the film. Evanovich stated that she would now envision Heigl as Stephanie when writing the character.

Box office

The film debuted at #3 behind The Grey and Underworld: Awakening with $11.5 million on its opening weekend. One for the Money grossed $26,414,527 domestically and $10,479,194 globally to a total of $36,893,721 worldwide, below its $40 million budget.

Similar Movies

Brewsters Millions (1985). John Leguizamo appears in One for the Money and Ride Along. Midnight Run (1988). Katherine Heigl appears in One for the Money and Killers. The Bounty Hunter (2010).

Awards

Heigl was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress for her performance in the film, but lost the award to Kristen Stewart for both Snow White and the Huntsman and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.