Yet while it might be academically satisfying to tear the plot apart, this film is not about plot - indeed, if it were a plot driven movie it would be a lemon. But its not. Instead, Nothing to Lose is alarmingly entertaining.
Like most road pictures, there are two central characters, in this case, Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. Interestingly enough, both characters take a journey of their own in making this movie. Martin Lawrence has spent most of his big screen time as a bridesmaid to other stars like Eddie Murphy in Boomerang and Will Smith in Bad Boys. In Nothing to Lose Lawrence is finally the bride, claiming center stage as T. Paul, the villain with a heart of gold and family to match.
He's helped out admirably by Tim Robbins, who plays the straight man, advertising executive Nick Bean. Robbins is best known for his deadpan underplayed roles--like the studio director turned killer in The Player, or the corporate stooge in The Hudsucker Proxy or the Mozart-loving accountant in Shawshank Redemption. Nothing to Lose may be Robbins' first successful cross-over into comedy.
Robbins easy going manner only boosts Lawrence's mania, and the end result is most entertaining. Indeed, Director Steve Oedekerk is reluctant not to follow any comic gag the couple can create, so the tall gangly Robbins, previously poised and elegant in the movie, suddenly becomes a stooge when the pair rob a hardware store--falling over everything insight. The robbery is typical of the film--Lawrence runs his mouth screaming strings of profanity, while Robbins is calm and collected. He then asks the clerk, Patrick Cranshaw, to judge who is the most scary. The plot continues to fade into the background as comedy takes center stage.
Similarly onerous is the stereotypical portrayal of T. Paul's mother, played by Irma P. Hall. Hall spends all of her time slapping Lawrence across the face. Shame she didn't teach him a few other family values, like not to jump into people's cars and hold them up at gun point.
But I digress. In short, Nothing to Lose is an odd and yet absolutely enjoyable film. From the tedious opening scenes to the convenient and glib ending, it is contrived and highly predictable. Yet even though there is much to criticize in this film, its entertainment value remains undeniable. If you want mental stimulation and an opportunity to ponder the important questions of life, go see Jodi Foster in Contact, but if you want to settle back and be entertained in a mindless way sure to keep you chuckling, then Nothing to Lose is the film for you.