Money for Nothing

A struggling longshoreman who discovers $1.2 million after an armored van mishap and decides to keep it. He hides large portions of the money at home and tries to avoid drawing attention from family, police, and criminals. His impulsive choices to launder and parade the cash set off a cascade of danger and paranoia. Eventually, he is arrested, though acquitted by reason of temporary insanity.

An investment banker who helps Joey figure out how to move and launder the money. She is skeptical at first but becomes entangled in the scheme, ultimately assisting in the plan and the cover. She accompanies Joey to the bar and hotel scenes and plays a pivotal role in the attempt to legitimize the funds. Her involvement complicates the moral calculus of the heist.

A bookmaker who agrees to help launder the proceeds, though he doesn’t fully understand the scheme at first. He is drawn into the criminal network around Goldoni and contributes to the laundering plan. He faces pressure as the investigation tightens and deals with the dangerous consequences of crossing the wrong people.

A crime boss who orchestrates the laundering operation for the seized cash. He changes the cash into coins to complicate tracing and profit, provoking Joey’s fury when the plan backfires. He remains a calculating figure who manipulates others to protect his own interests.

A South Philadelphia detective assigned to the case who uncovers the van’s faulty latch and tracks down leads. He becomes a persistent obstacle to Joey, pursuing him through bars, hotels, and airports. His investigation intersects with public perception and the criminals’ scramble to stay ahead.

Joey’s friend who refuses to be incriminated and helps him avoid taking responsibility. He becomes a focal point in the police inquiry and faces familial pressure when his father disciplines him. His loyalty shifts as the tension of the money grows.

Joey and Eleanor’s brother who resents the discovery of the money and the danger it brings to the family. He acts as a counterweight to Joey’s reckless decisions and pushes for a practical, lawful course. His involvement and reactions reveal the strain on kinship when crime intrudes.

Joey’s sister who observes the chaos the money causes and voices moral concerns. She resists the idea of keeping ill-gotten gains and highlights the ethical tension within a seemingly ordinary family. Her reactions embody the conflict between family loyalty and right action.

Joey’s niece who witnesses the fallout of the money heist and the family’s changing fortunes. She represents the innocent bystander impacted by the crime. Her presence anchors the family dynamics and the stakes for those not involved in the scheme.

Joey’s mother who confronts the reality of her son’s actions and the danger it brings to the household. Her reactions expose the emotional weight of a family confronted with crime and the risk of losing control over their lives.