Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (July 11, 2024)
In 1998, actor Chris Tucker and director Brett Ratner paired for Rush Hour, a major hit that accelerated the careers of both men. This actually offered their second collaboration, as Ratner directed Tucker in 1997’s Money Talks.
Small-time hustler Franklin Maurice Hatchett (Tucker) winds up in jail. During transport, Franklin ends up handcuffed to French gangster Raymond Villard (Gerard Ismael).
Villard’s goons attack this motorcade, an assault that leaves Villard and Franklin as the only survivors. When Franklin escapes from Villard, he recruits local journalist James Russell (Charlie Sheen) as his lifeline.
I’d ask whatever happened to Tucker, as he’s barely worked in movies over the last 20 years. However, once Tucker hit it big with the first Rush Hour, he seemed to semi-retire.
Across 1995-97, Tucker appeared in six movies. From 1998 to date, he appeared in six movies.
This seems counterintuitive to the standard Hollywood trajectory. 99 percent of actors would take a star-making break like the 1998 Rush Hour afforded and milk as many high paychecks as possible.
I guess Tucker didn’t feel the need to scoop up those easy paydays. Outside of the two Rush Hour sequels – both of which one assumes brought Tucker big bucks – the actor’s other four flicks all placed him in supporting roles.
Obviously by choice, as Tucker seems content to pop up in the occasional fairly small part. And good for him, as I admire that Tucker seems to feel no need to chase fame and he can just enjoy his life with the millions he already possesses.
Tucker also may’ve realized that his style came with risks, as his hyperactive motor-mouthed “Chris Tucker Character” likely annoyed as many as it entertained. Obviously Tucker fans loved his style, but outside of those folks, he found less love.
Take his role in 1997’s Fifth Element. Many really like the movie but find Tucker’s intentionally campy and abrasive “Ruby Rhod” to spoil the film.
I always liked Rhod and think that form of Tucker performance works best in the Fifth Element context: a supporting role with limited screentime. When Tucker becomes the lead, his antics threaten to exhaust the audience.
Which turns into the case with Talks. Though co-billed with Sheen, this exists as Tucker’s star turn, as Charlie plays a much smaller part than expected.
Not that Sheen gets stuck in the background, as his character becomes an important aspect of the movie. Nonetheless, Talks exists as “The Chris Tucker Show”, for better or for worse.
In this case? Mostly for worse, as even though I sometimes find Tucker to entertain, a film that relies so heavily on his comedy wears thin.
Make no mistake: Talks clearly banks on the audience’s enjoyment of Tucker’s shtick. Sheen plays the straight man and plot motivator but not much more.
At its heart, Talks wants to give us a standard “mismatched buddy comedy” ala 1982’s Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte effort 48 Hrs. However, that one balanced the roles more clearly.
Sheen comes across as awfully aggressive and angry. Admittedly, this makes sense for the role, but it nonetheless feels like an awkward match for a comedy such as this.
Talks lacks much of a story. Instead, it exists as a series of scenarios in which Tucker romps.
Of course, we also get plenty of “fish out of water” material, especially when James brings Franklin into his world. Nothing clever or original emerges here.
Again, if that floats your boat, Talks seems likely to entertain. It does boast occasional laughs, trite as the overall package may seem.
Talks also comes with a solid supporting case. We get talented veterans such as Veronica Cartwright, Paul Sorvino, David Warner, Paul Gleason, and Daniel Roebuck.
All of them add class to the project but they can’t overcome its essential lack of freshness. Though we get spurts of entertainment, Money Talks never becomes anything memorable.
