Two modern day cowboys smuggle a herd of cows across the border in this loosely amiable comedy. Jim Kane (
Paul Newman) is a cowboy who unexpectedly finds himself deep in debt and in need of some fast cash. A less-than-scrupulous businessman approaches Kane and offers him a handsome payday to escort 200 head of cattle from Mexico into the United States for use of the rodeo circuit. While the deal seems dubious, Kane goes along with it, and persuades his friend Leonard (
Lee Marvin) to tag along. However, the cattle drive proves to be more of a challenge than the men expected, with a number of less-than-welcome adventures following the cattlemen along the way. Pocket Money also features
Strother Martin,
Hector Elizondo and
Wayne Rogers; keep an eye peeled for a cameo appearance by
Terrence Malick, who wrote the film's screenplay years before directing the acclaimed
Badlands and
Days of Heaven. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide