ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
Year: 2002
USA: New Line Cinema
Cast: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, Tommy Flanagan, Carmen Chaplin, Jeff Chase, Eva Mendes, Roger Guenveur Smith, Anthony Giaimo, Anthony Michael Hall, Lil' Bow Wow, Valarie Rae Miller, Jodi Lyn Wilson, Deborah Smith Ford, Ethan S Smith, Dee Tew
Director: Kevin Bray
Country: USA
USA Rated: R for strong violence, pervasive language and brief sexuality
USA Release Date: 8 March 2002
Synopsis
Bucum Jackson (Ice Cube) is a maverick, Miami based, bounty hunter who refuses to take on a partner and has got a real attitude. His unorthodox methods of tracking down low-life criminals haven't made him a favorite with local cops, but he's still the best man on the payroll at Martinez Bail Bonds.
It's Bucum's dream to open his own private investigation firm, but for the time being it's out of his reach. His current assignment is Reggie Wright (Mike Epps), a slippery con artist, who's evaded Bucum's grasp before but not this time!
With Bucum in hot pursuit, Reggie gets them both mixed up in a multi-million dollar diamond heist by unknowingly jumping into the getaway van driven by cold-hearted jewels thieves Ursula (Carmen Chaplin) and her partner Ramose (Roger Guenveur Smith). The situation deteriorates further when the thieves realise the 20 million dollar haul of uncut diamonds are fakes. The unscrupulous criminal who masterminded the heist, Robert Williamson (Tommy Flanagan) isn't going to be pleased.
However Reggie's flailing hysteria allows him to avoid being captured and he escapes to his girlfriend Gina (Eva Mendes) where he discovers he's the sole winner of a 60 million jackpot, thanks to the lottery ticket Gina pressured him into buying. Trouble is the ticket was in his jacket that he left in the getaway van!
But Bucum closes in on Reggie, who pleads with him not to turn him in and gives him a choice. If Bucum helps Reggie retrieve his winning lottery ticket and goes after the bigger fish in this robbery, as well as finding the stash of real uncut diamonds, it might just win him the fame and fortune he needs to set up his long-awaited P.I. firm. Bucum and Reggie embark on an unlikely partnership that is clearly 'all about the Benjamins'. But is Reggie telling the truth this time? It's a gamble Bucum can't resist.
Ice Cube stars in the action-comedy, ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS, which marks the feature directorial debut of noted commercial and music director Kevin Bray and is written by Ronald Lange and Ice Cube.