‘One for the Money’: Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter

by 

I think Katherine Heigl is one of the brightest stars on-screen today.  Each of her movies consistently and she has a charming on-screen persona. Though critics grill her for her romantic-comedy roles, Heigl continues to star in effervescent movies, and as long as the movie brings joy, I say, keep at it. This is One for the Money.

One for the Money (2012) Film Review

No one needs to tell Stephanie Plum (Heigl) how difficult making ends meet it. For the last six months she doesn’t have the most lucrative of jobs. As a result, her debts catch up to her. She’s driving a car she can no longer afford, her rent is in arrears and if it wasn’t for her mother, she’d never enjoy a decent meal. Grandma (Debbie Reynolds) encourages Stephanie to talk to her cousin Vinny about a job. Quite apprehensive about working for the guy (after all, he did try to make out with her at her wedding), Stephanie is just desperate enough. The only job he has is work as a bail bonds recovery agent! Her skepticism and need for “quick cash” outweighs the bad when the case she’s handed has her ex-boyfriend’s name on it. 

‘One for the Money’: Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter. Review of the 2012 comedy based on the novel. All text © Rissi JC

Joe Morelli (Jason O’ Mara) is the boy in high school that every girl wants to or did date, and he’s the one boy, Stephanie thought she could catch. Now a cop wrongfully accused of murder, Joe is out to prove his innocence. But between the cops and Stephanie hunting him, it may just be a matter of time before Joe is caught.  

Based on a series of books, there is nothing much to this film except for its supreme ability to entertain. Right from the opening credits (which are adorable), the movie promises a fun 90 minutes. Though a bit darker than its promotional material may suggest, One for the Money throws in a surprise or two; the script is really good at the balance. There are moments of hilarity to lighten the mood but really the film is a decent, intriguing mystery in need of solving. And, I thoroughly enjoy every piece of the puzzle.

FILM REVIEW | ‘For Love or Money’ Is a Fun Movie
‘One for the Money’: Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter. Review of the 2012 comedy based on the novel. All text © Rissi JC
‘One for the Money’: Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter. #Movies #MovieArchives #Adaptation Click To Tweet

As with nearly every other book-to-screen adaptation, I’ didn’t read the same-title novel on which this one is based. (Fun fact, this is the second movie based off of this novel; its first is a televised film back in 2002.) Everyone in the cast is good, which makes each of the characters a fun study. (Some viewers may find the continuous commentary of Stephanie telling her story annoying.) Heigl is, of course, great and has a convincing Jersey accent that does slip on occasion. More fun is to see Jason in a good-guy role. They play off each other quite well; their witty banter and obvious chemistry was fun to watch.

Needless to say, seeing this in theaters is a fun experience. Its more serious approach is unexpected yet somehow works for the movie, and all without trying to be the next great action film. Only the first in a long line of “Stephanie Plum” books, I wouldn’t mind seeing the studio bring more of her adventures to the big-screen despite my doubts; the numbers aren’t there. Fortunately, this one did see production, and it’s always there for the re-watching.

find us on social media: MeWe; Instagram; or Pinterest – and join the NEW reader group on MeWe!

CONTENT: the film is PG13 for a series of tense moments and some gunfire; in self defense, two dudes receive fatal gunshot wounds, one has five rounds to the heart. Two other baddies are shot in the head; a hooker is murdered. Stephanie befriends another hooker [inappropriate dress].  A couple of sexual innuendoes are present including a joke about a man who likes to walk around naked everywhere [Stephanie brings him in for jumping bail once] and references to losing one’s virginity, and we see Steph in her underwear a time or two. She also gets caught naked in the shower in which the camera barely avoids full frontal nudity [eventually we see her in a shower curtain]. There’s a lot of misuses of Jesus and GD in addition to milder profanity like sh*t.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

19 comments

  1. Great to know, Juju – thanks! =) I was curious about the book(s) because that way I'd get to follow more of Stephs adventures but I was far too skeptical to try them. ;D

    The movie is a lot of fun – enjoy it when you see it. =)

  2. I've been seeing these books everywhere for years but the covers never appealed to me so I never picked them up! I guess I should give them a try and then try to see this. Glad to know it's good!!

    XOXO~ Renee C.

  3. Really glad you stopped by, Renee – it has been too long. =)

    Since I enjoyed the film I did wonder about the books but thus far my question to my readers has turned up two "so-so" answers. I was skeptical about trying the novels to begin with so I may just enjoy the movie as is. ;D

  4. I actually looked for the book a few days ago at the library and didn't find it! I'll have to look at the main branch. I've seen these books for years but never even thought to pick them up. Then I saw Katherine Heigl in the movie preview, and I love her, so I definitely want to see the movie and hopefully read the book before then.

  5. Hope you do find it [the book] at your library, Annie!

    I love all of the movies I've seen Katherine in – this one was equally as entertaining. I look forward to knowing what you thought of the novel if you get the chance to read it. =)

  6. I read a sample of the book online and I thought it was really good. Now I want to read the rest of the book. =}

    I really enjoy Katherine Heigl as well.

  7. I should do that sometime, Jen – great idea, thanks! That might give me an idea as to whether or not I'd even like the book. Since I liked the movie, I did wonder about the book on which it was based.

    Agree: Katherine's movies are always SO entertaining. =)

  8. Hi Ruth!

    One of the things I love about my Kindle is the samples. =D

    I just watched 27 Dresses last night. Katherine is a lot of fun to watch.

  9. I am more of a holding-a-real-book-in-my-hands kind of girl but… I think sites like Amazon and other on-line places do offer "previews" of novels, so I'll have to check into that.

    Isn't 27 Dresses just adorable??? I love that one – really should watch it again (which will make my dad say, you guys are watching this one – again!? ;D).

  10. I really want to see this. It didn't come to any theaters around me so I'll have to wait to see it on DVD…. I'm glad you thought it was good because some other people I've talked to and read their review hated it, so I was really bummed. But after reading your review I'm excited to see it again.

  11. Yep! This one was a LOT of fun, Leah. I enjoyed it as a good old-fashioned "popcorn flick." I am really surprised that it didn't open around you, but understand that because my "local" theater can be picky about what it gets also. =)

    Really happy you decided to comment – I always love reading others thoughts. =D

  12. I own it on DVD now, Sarah and I actually really enjoyed this one despite critic's view of it. It isn't as funny as it wants you to think but nevertheless is worth seeing. :-)

    Enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

Optimized by Optimole