$5 a Day – An eOne Films’ Release

DVD Release Date: August 24th, 2010

Rated PG not recommended for young children

Running time: 98 minutes

Nigel Cole (dir.)

Neal H. Dobrofsky (writer)

Tippi Dobrofsky (writer)

Alex Wurman (music)

Christopher Walken as Nat Parker

Alessandro Nivola as Ritchie Flynn Parker

Sharon Stone as Dolores Jones

Amanda Peet as Maggie

Our reviews below:

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$5 a Day DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Through contests, promotional giveaways, and more than a few cons, Nat Parker (Christopher Walken) has reduced his monthly spending to just under $5 a day.  But when he is diagnosed with a brain tumour, the only thing he wants is to reconnect with his estranged son Ritchie Flynn (Alessandro Nivola).  So father and son take a cross country road trip together, while still keeping up with their frugal tendencies.

Although there are few minor flaws along the way, $5 a Day is constantly saved by a script that manages to be equal doses intelligent, touching, and funny, as well as another winning performance by Christopher Walken.  It could very easily get relegated to the $5 bins, but this is one worth checking out.

The DVD includes director and cast interviews, as well as a photo gallery.

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$5 a Day DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (Out of 4)

In $5 Dollars a Day, Christopher Walken plays Nat, a man who has always prided himself in being frugal.  When he realizes he is terminally ill, he tricks his adult son Richie Flynn into going on a roadtrip with him, in order to try to repair their strained relationship.

This is a small movie that is really nice.  A classic roadtrip movie, it’s about learning on the way and coming to realize what’s important in life.  I really liked the characters and all of the imaginative ways Nat found of spending no more than $5 a day.

I would definitely recommend seeking this one out.  I hadn’t heard of it, although with the cast, I gave it a shot and was pleasantly surprised.

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$5 a Day DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

$5 a Day is a funny and touching story about a father and son.  Flynn, a thirty-something guy, is having a hard time.  He is struggling in the relationship with his girlfriend, and has been fired from his job as a health inspector due to a mistake in his past.  After a bad day, Flynn reluctantly joins his father, Nat, whom he hasn’t seen in many years, on a road trip across the country.  As a frugal man, Nat finds innovative ways to live on only five dollars a day.

Along the way, Flynn finds out more about his past, and is able to spend some quality time with Nat, who may or may not have a terminal illness. $5 a Day manages to be quirky and clever, without being rude.  This film has a lot of laughs, but also a lot of heart.  Although set in modern time, it has the feel of a film from the 1980’s, in it’s innocence.  $5 a Day is a sweet film that is worth checking out.

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$5 a Day DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Once a con-artist, always a con-artist.  Christopher Walken is brilliant as Nat, an eccentric con-artist with a terminal brain tumour.  Nat reaches out to his son Flynn (Allesandro Nivola) in an effort to re-connect after many years before it’s too late.  Besides, Nat needs someone to drive him and his pink ‘Sweet-an-Low’ promotional car across the country to an alternative treatment centre in New Mexico.  If Nat has his way it will only cost $5 a day.

$5 a Day is a smartly written, really funny story with a heart.  Nat’s system of getting by on promotional freebies and often questionable methods borders on brilliant.  As dishonest as Nat is at times you can’t help but like him.  Through the convoluted road-trip Nat and son Flynn grow closer.  Their relationship is touching to watch and the ending sad but satisfying.

This is one of those relatively unknown movies that are worth discovering.  Christopher Walken as Nat in $5 a Day deserves some attention.  Check this one out.  It’s worth it.

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$5 a Day DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

After doing a restaurant inspection in the opening scene of $5 a Day,  Ritchie Flynn Parker (Alessandro Nivola) doesn’t know what will hit him.  For not sharing details of a shady past he is both fired and dumped by his girlfriend.  He then finds a letter and flight voucher from his prodigal father Nat (Christopher Walken) urgently asking to come to Atlantic City. Nat wants Flynn to drive him down to Mexico to seek a possible cure to his terminal cancer, and also renew their relationship. Flynn has nothing to lose, since all expenses will be covered, though rarely paid.  Nat is a master of survival, always able to charm or con his way into a free meal, drink or night’s stay.  Even the car and fuel are free since it is a moving advertisement.  As they take a circuitous route across the country, Flynn discovers more about his past than he bargained for, with a few surprise twists leading to a very satisfactory conclusion.

This is a perfect vehicle for Christopher Walken, and Alessandro Nivola is excellent beside him. The supporting cast is also fine in brief roles, including Amanda Peet, Sharon Stone, and Peter Coyote. Combining a buddy road story with charming cons reminiscent of The Flim-Flam Man and Curly Sue, the fine script left me with a lot of amusing and touching memories.

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Consensus: With a script that is intelligent, touching, and funny, and another winning performance by Christopher Walken, $5 a Day is a small film that’s worth checking out. ***1/4 (Out of 4)