Main Cast: Robert Lindsay, Molly Ringwald, John Gielgud, Michel Blanc, Max Wall, Simon de la Brosse
Release Year: 1990
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 86 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Ian Bertram (Robert Lindsay) is a mathematical genius who works as an accountant for a multinational firm based in England. When he meets Cary Porter (Molly Ringwald), who recently started working for the same company, Ian immediately falls in love and quickly proposes marriage. Cary accepts, and they plan a modest wedding, but when Ian's accounting skills earn him the admiration of company head Herbert Dreuther (John Geilgud), Herbert offers to pay for a honeymoon in Monte Carlo and give them a ride back on his yacht. But while Mr. Dreuther means well, he has problems with his memory, and once Ian and Cary get to Monte Carlo, Herbert has forgotten all about them. Stuck at the hotel with a large bill that he can't afford, Ian works out a plan to win at roulette; his scheme works, and he earns enough to pay their bill, get them home, and have plenty left over. But his sudden success at the gambling tables makes Ian drunk with power, and Cary discovers that her new husband has turned into a power-hungry tyrant. Strike It Rich was adapted from the novel Loser Takes All by Graham Greene; it has been shown under the novel's title, as well as under the title Money Talks. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Marius Goring - Blixon; Margi Clarke - Bowles' Nurse; Vladek Sheybal - Kinski; Frances de la Tour - Mrs. de Vere; Patrick Albenque - Assistant Hotel Manager; Joseph Arton - Small Boy; Yves Aubert - Waiter; Terence Beesley - Croupier; Margaret Clifton - Old Lady; Anthony Collin - Man of Odd Couple; Lawrence Davidson - Receptionist; Gerard Dimiglio - Henri; Ben Feitelson - Man in Nightclub; Al Fiorentini - Lift Man at Hotel; Nadio Fortune - Wine Waiter; Stephen Gressieux - Casino Attendant; Christine Hewett - Lady of Odd Couple; Patrick Holt - Man with Wink; Claude LeSache - Man with Chips; Pierre Lefevre - Cross-eyed Cab Driver; Stephen Marlowe - Head Waiter; David Marrick - Hotel Waiter; John C.P. Mattocks - Fat Man; Nicolas Mead - Barman in Hotel; John Otway - Harry Truefitt; Marianne Price - Bus Conductor; Harriet Reynolds - Telephonist at Sitra; Jeffrey Robert - Bus Conductor; Tim Seely - Arnold; John Serret - Ticket Clerk; Su Yong - Chinese Woman; Godfrey Talbot - Naismith; Mark Tandy - Mat at Sitra; Victoria Wicks - Jane Truefitt; Richenda Carey - Miss Bullen; William Ross - Man at Theater; Jack Raymond - Cashier at Casino
Credit
Michael Buchanan - Art Director, Susan Slonaker - Associate Producer, Christine Oestreicher - Co-producer, Tom Rand - Costume Designer, James Scott - Director, Thomas Schwalm - Editor, Bob Weinstein - Executive Producer, Harvey Weinstein - Executive Producer, Johnny Dankworth - Composer (Music Score), Cliff Eidelman - Composer (Music Score), Shirley Walker - Composer (Music Score), Paul Hay - Makeup, Christopher Hobbs - Production Designer, Robert Paynter - Cinematographer, Graham Easton - Producer, Christopher Hobbs - Set Designer, James Scott - Screenwriter, Graham Greene - Book Author
The story is set in the 1950s. A young American woman living in London, Cary Porter (played by Ringwald), recently started working at a large multinational firm where she meets accountant Ian Bertram (played by Lindsay). He falls head over hills in love with her and soon proposes. The head of the company, Herbert Dreuther (played by Gielgud), offers them a wedding and to pay for a honeymoon in Monte Carlo, as well as the use of his yacht.
Unfortunately, the well meaning Herbert soon forgets all about the couple and his promise to send his yacht. When it does not arrive, Ian decides he has a sound way to win at roulette in order to pay their large hotel bill. As he becomes involved at the gambling tables, he leaves Cary to herself, and although his plan works and he wins big, enough to pay their bill, get them home, and have plenty money left over, their marriage is in big trouble.
