Watch For the Love of Money

For the Love of Money is a crime thriller movie from 2012 that takes you through the life of a young immigrant boy from Israel, Yoni (played by Jonathan Lipnicki), and his chase for the American dream. The movie features an impressive cast that includes James Caan, Inbar Lavi, and Jeffrey Tambor among others. The story is based on true events about a group of criminals in the United States in the 1970s and 80s.

Yoni, who grew up in Tel Aviv, was fascinated by the United States and the wealth it offered. When Yoni and his best friend Itzik (played by Oded Fehr) moved to Los Angeles to work for their uncle, they foolishly believe that they can make quick money and achieve the American dream. They start working in a garment factory where they are paid pitiful wages. Yoni realizes that he needs to find another way to make ends meet. He and Itzik get into the currency exchange business, a seemingly profitable venture that soon becomes too risky for Itzik. Yoni then partners with his childhood friend, Avi (played by Edward Furlong), who is an expert in counterfeiting money. Avi teaches Yoni the ropes of the trade, and they start producing millions of fake dollars.

As Yoni's fortune grows, he finds himself involved in a dangerous world of organized crime, where he must navigate through a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and greed. He befriends a local mobster, played by James Caan, who sees potential in Yoni and takes him under his wing. Yoni soon realizes that there is a high price to pay for success and that his actions have consequences. He must protect his family and friends from the dangerous people he has crossed paths with.

The film takes viewers through Yoni's moral dilemmas as he questions whether the love of money is worth sacrificing his relationships and integrity. The character arc for Yoni is very vivid as he transforms from an ambitious and naive young man into a hardened criminal. The cinematography captures the vibrant and sometimes seedy atmosphere of Los Angeles in the late 1970s and 80s. The director, Ellie Kanner, does an excellent job of building tension throughout the film, and the score by Michael Lloyd adds to the suspense.

The performances by the cast are excellent, particularly James Caan, who brings his usual intensity to his character. Inbar Lavi gives a standout performance as Yoni's love interest, who provides a moral compass for him. Jeffrey Tambor also has a notable role as the corrupt businessman who gives Yoni a chance to succeed.

Overall, For the Love of Money is a well-made crime thriller that features a compelling story, great performances, and excellent production values. The film teaches us that the pursuit of wealth can come at a great cost and that greed can lead to our downfall. The movie is a good reminder to always remain true to yourself and the people you care about.

For the Love of Money is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.