Nothing to Lose

What does one get when one mixes two different types of actors as the leads in a comedy?: A surprise! "Nothing to Lose" shows how Steve Oedekerk's gamble in casting such different actors as Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins can produce great results.

Not being a fan of Mr. Lawrence's style of comedy, we decided to take a gamble on this 1997 film that came and went without much fanfare. In fact, we had no expectations whatsoever as to what to expect because even the trailers we remember seeing at the time before its release didn't show anything of interest.

In fact, Mr. Lawrence, guided by the expert hand of Mr. Oederkerk, shows a man that can deliver without resorting to his usual excesses. Tim Robbins on the other hand shows an uncanny flair for this type of comedy and a chemistry for his co-star. Both these actors are seen at their best in the comedy.

"Nothing to Lose" feels shorter than its 98 minutes running time. There are also good supporting players behind the stars. Kelly Preston, John McGinley, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael McKean and the fabulous Irma P. Hall, who one would have loved to have seen more of because she is an extraordinary and accomplished actress.

Let this film win you over and watch it without any preconceived ideas because it's packs a lot of fun.

This was an enjoyable and entertaining film. Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence put on a great comedic performance as an unlikely duo. Both come from different worlds that one day collide. The duo realize they share some things in common, people cannot be judged so easily. This is a film with a simple plot, lots of laughs and has a strong feel good element. Martin Lawrence brings his unique brand of crude yet charming humor to the screen and Tim Robbins more than holds his own. This simple story has a number of twists, moments of comedic genius and a very satisfying end.

You don't always have huge expectations watching these type of films so you're pleasantly surprised and gained something from watching it.

NOTHING TO LOSE is Martin Lawrence's finest hour and is really one of the very few films to showcase his comedic talent. Lawrence plays a jobless carjacker who meets a depressed executive (Tim Robbins) who is having a very bad day. The two team up for a wild adventure consisting of robberies, car chases and other encounters while being pursued by not only the police, but two rival criminals as well. While the chemistry between Lawrence and Robbins is quite strong, the highlight of the film is Lawrence at home getting his face smacked repeatedly by his mother. Simply put, this is Martin Lawrence's best movie.

4 out of 5

A bit silly, but the good kind of silly, with enough credibility to make it believable. Most of all it is FUN and that is all I needed.

It's the "let's laugh at other people's misery" kind of fun, because Tim Robbin's wife has an affair and right after discovering that he gets mugged by Martin Lawrence. Things go way out of control after these 2 characters butt heads, with lots of great race and class struggle jokes.

The good: great chemistry between Tim Robbins (serious) and Martin Lawrence (silly). Good jokes and good timing of the jokes as well. Spot on.

Any bad? It's quite a bit silly, but it's still serious enough though to be an enjoyable comedy for the entire family, from young to old, everybody could enjoy it.

Seen it several times over the past decades now and the jokes and the characters still stand strong...

Nothing to lose is about having lost everything (or at least believing so) and there is no lower spot you cannot hit. Geting there however you really that when you hit the botom there is nowhere to go but up!!!

Good story and cast, excellent playing by them all, funny and hillarious from start to finish this is a must for comedy lovers.