WHERE THE MONEY IS
Where the morals aren’t — a weak crime comedy better left at home.
Should You Watch It?
Paul Newman, Linda Fiorentino, and Dermot Mulroney bring ability to this comedy, but the story gives them little worthy material to play. The characters mostly respond with animosity and frustration, while their criminal choices receive little moral examination.
The film depicts people trying to escape empty or frustrating lives through theft, deception, and short-term thrills. Its treatment of family and marriage is especially bleak, and the story offers little reason to care about the people making these choices.
Because the film has some talented performers but weak entertainment value and −2 family content, watch only at home if you are a discerning adult who wants to assess it carefully.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESHenry, a convicted thief, is sent to a nursing home after pretending to suffer a stroke. His nurse, Carol, discovers that he is deceiving everyone around him.
Carol feels trapped in her long marriage to Wayne and sees Henry as a possible escape from her routine. As the unlikely pair grow closer, Carol persuades Henry to let her join him in a criminal scheme. Wayne becomes involved as well, though not without resistance.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means the cast has ability, but the film does not give that talent enough to succeed. Paul Newman is supported by Linda Fiorentino and Dermot Mulroney, yet the impotent storyline leaves little room for character depth.
Carol and Wayne’s relationship is often confusing because the issue between them is only indicated and never fully explored. Emotional expression is largely limited to animosity and frustration. The result is a seemingly humorous but depraved crime story that never develops the moral or emotional substance needed to make its characters compelling.
The Worldview
The film presents a mostly pagan worldview in which theft is central and criminal activity goes largely unrebuked. Its characters have little conviction about doing right, and the story offers no meaningful consequences for their choices.
At its center is a desperate effort to fill an empty life with money, escape, and cheap thrills. Carol views her marriage as a trap and sees deception as a path to freedom. The film therefore treats short-term excitement as more attractive than faithfulness, responsibility, or moral courage.
The story’s longing for a fuller life points toward a real human need, but it looks for satisfaction in money and self-directed escape. Scripture warns, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Mostly pagan worldview where characters are thieves & theft goes un-rebuked; 11 profanities & 4 mild obscenities; woman rolls man in wheelchair into lake, brief depiction of man crashing into the side of a van with some blood, holdups at gunpoint, car crashes into water; woman putts man’s hand under dress, woman does lap dance on stroke-impaired man, & undressing for implied sex; man shown drying off with towel with no genitalia shown; alcohol use & abuse; and, mild incidence of blackmail & strong theme of thievery throughout movie.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Carol feels trapped and looks for freedom through deception and crime. What kinds of escape can become substitutes for faithfulness and wisdom?
Galatians 5:13 · Proverbs 3:5–7The characters pursue money and short-term thrills without facing meaningful consequences. Why does Scripture warn that loving money cannot satisfy us?
Ecclesiastes 5:10 · 1 Timothy 6:9–10The film gives its characters little conviction about doing what is right. How does a clear conscience differ from simply getting away with something?
Acts 24:16 · Proverbs 10:9What responsibilities do people have toward their spouses and families when they feel frustrated or trapped?
Ephesians 5:25–33 · Philippians 2:3–4The Final Word
Where the Money Is has a capable cast but little moral or emotional depth. Its sexual material, violence, profanity, pagan outlook, and unrebuked thievery make it unsuitable for families. For discerning adults who remain curious, WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY. For other choices, see.
