Make a Million: Old School Schemes and Classroom Dreams

If you're looking for a heavy drama, keep walking. Make a Million is a light, quick-footed little picture that’s perfect for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. If you have zero patience for old-fashioned, fast-talking dialogue or plots that resolve themselves a bit too neatly, you'll probably want to skip this one.

The whole thing kicks off with our hero, a professor, getting the boot for being a bit too 'radical' in the classroom. We've all had that teacher who was too smart for the room, but here, it’s the catalyst for the whole mess. He decides to quit yapping about theory and actually puts his money where his mouth is. And honestly? It’s kind of fun watching him make a pile of cash while the stuffy bankers look on with their mouths open.

There is this one scene where he’s trying to explain his system, and the guy playing the banker looks like he’s trying to solve a math problem in his head while having an allergic reaction. It’s a small detail, but it’s genuinely funny. You can tell they didn't have much budget for extras or fancy sets, so they just let the actors carry the scene with their faces.

The pacing is a bit erratic, jumping from one scheme to the next without much breathing room. One minute we’re in a lecture hall, the next we’re in a boardroom, then suddenly everyone is plotting in a hallway. It’s not smooth, but it has that frantic energy you sometimes see in movies like Fra Diavolo where the plot is mostly just a skeleton for the jokes.

Is it a masterpiece? No. It doesn't try to be. It’s mostly just a series of setups and payoffs about greed, which never really goes out of style. The supporting cast is full of those guys you recognize from everywhere but can't quite name, which adds a nice layer of comfort to the viewing experience.

I found myself zoning out a bit during the mid-section, but then someone says something sharp, and I’m back in. It’s that kind of movie. It feels like a rough draft that someone decided was good enough to film, and in a way, that’s exactly why I liked it. It feels lived-in. Maybe a bit too much coffee was involved in the writing process.

I wouldn't compare it to the grand scale of Transatlantic Tunnel, obviously. This is much smaller, tighter, and way more concerned with pocket change than global infrastructure. It’s not trying to change your life. It’s just trying to fill an hour with some snappy talk and a few grins. Sometimes, that is exactly what you need. ☕