Free Money (also known as Double Nickels) is a 1998 Canadian black comedy film directed by Yves Simoneau, produced by Nicolas Clermont and written by Anthony Peck and Joseph Brutsman, and starring Marlon Brando in his penultimate film (his final screen appearance was in 2001's The Score). The film also features Charlie Sheen, Thomas Haden Church, Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland.
Plot
Sven "The Swede" Sorenson is a malicious warden of the county, illegally executing some of his worst prisoners. Everybody in town hates and is scared of him, except his twin daughters. Swede's twins tell their father they're pregnant, lying in order to manipulate him into forcing their dim boyfriends, Bud Dyerson and Larry, into shotgun marriages. He also turns his sons-in-law into slave laborers, so Bud hatches an escape plan to rob a train carrying old bills to the mint for burning. Larry is his reluctant accomplice. When Bud is captured, he is railroaded into Swede's small-town jail by the Judge and Swede. His death looks certain, until he hatches yet another plan that requires Larry's help. Meanwhile, Judge's daughter and FBI Agent Karen Polarski, come to his aid.
Cast
Marlon Brando as Warden Sven 'The Swede' Sorenson
Charlie Sheen as Bud Dyerson
Donald Sutherland as Judge Rolf Rausenberger
Martin Sheen as New Warden
Thomas Haden Church as Larry
Mira Sorvino as Karen Polarski
David Arquette as Ned Jebee
Holly L. Watson as Liv
Christin Watson as Inga
Production
In spite of the high-profile cast, the movie was produced independently from Hollywood, by the Canadian studio Filmline. It was filmed in the country from August 1997 to October 1997, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Locales used in the movie include Sutton Junction, Vale Perkins, Highwater, Mansonville, and Mount Owl's Head.
Casting
John Cusack, Alec Baldwin, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Silverstone and Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda were all originally attached to the project.
In a 2008 interview, actor Thomas Haden Church reflected, "At the exact same time I was offered the lead in Free Money with Charlie Sheen and Marlon Brando, I was offered a role in Saving Private Ryan. And I chose to march off to Canada to work with Marlon Brando. I had a manager at the time—we were soon parted—but he was like, "You're gonna go do a movie with Marlon Brando that more than likely no one will see, vs. a really nice role in a movie that's probably going to win Best Picture next year?" And he was right! But the experience working with Marlon in his penultimate performance was irreplaceable. And I spent 10, 12 weeks with him in Quebec, and it was a remarkable experience, and I wouldn't trade it for any credit on my résumé."
The film was able to receive certification as a Quebec production since one of the leading cast members, Donald Sutherland, was a resident of the province. In addition to this, several supporting roles went to local actors. Producer Nicolas Clermont noted that the accents of the local actors could be integrated into the story, since it was set in a small, unidentified border town.