One For the Money (2012)
Certified: 12
Duration: 88 minutes
Directed by: Julie Ann Robinson
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara, Sherri Sheperd, Debbie Reynolds, Daniel Sunjata, Patrick Fischler, John Leguizamo
KRS release

One For The Money is an adaptation of the first in the Stephanie Plum series of novels by Janet Evanovich.

Seventeen novels followed this best-selling book published in 1994.

Katherine Heigl plays Stephanie Plum who has recently divorced from her husband and who has just lost her job as manager of the lingerie department at Macy’s.

She needs money to pay the bills and opts to seek help from her cousin Vinny (Patrick Fischler) who works as a bail bondsman. When she sees how lucrative being a bounty hunter can be, she decides to try it out.

She opts to collect a bounty placed on Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mara) – an ex-high school student who had been her first love.

Joe is now an ex-policeman who has been accused of killing an unarmed dope dealer. But he is innocent and wants to bring down a group of heroin dealers headed by gym owner Jimmy Alpha and ex-boxer Hernandez (John Leguizamo and Gavin-Keith Umeh). With information gathered from some prostitutes, Stephanie makes her way into Joe’s life and upsets his plan.

Meanwhile, Ranger (Danile Sunjata) strikes a friendship with her and attempts to teach her the skills to survive in this dangerous game.

The film’s appeal lies in Ms Heigl’s starring role; she is in spritely form as the heroine of the piece.

The film remains true to the book’s format, conserving its structure of mystery and drama. More than that, it tries to provide ample space for the supporting cast.

Director Julie Ann Robinson tries to keep a balance between action and humour.

Ms Heigl indeed makes an adequate heroine.

This film is indeed a showcase for the actress; for once she has been given a script where she is not required to be giggly every five or six lines – a distinct departure from her usual roles of blonde in trouble.

One For The Money is a relaxed film which also sees veteran actress Debbie Reynolds in an over-the-top role as Plum’s grandma.

The film’s jazzy soundtrack and the regular comic lines keep things light ­– it’s a sort of The Bounty Hunter in “chick-flick” mode.