For Love or Money (1993)

For Love or Money is the kind of breezy New York romantic comedy that runs almost entirely on charisma, and Michael J. Fox has it to spare—playing a concierge so quick on his feet you can practically hear the city’s rhythm in his patter. Director Barry Sonnenfeld gives the film a slightly cartoonish, upscale Manhattan sheen, filling the frame with a fun parade of hotel eccentrics and moneyed oddballs that makes the setting feel like its own playground. The central dilemma—ambition tugging one way, attraction tugging the other—stays light on its feet, delivering warm laughs and just enough romantic ache to keep you rooting for the right outcome. It won’t convert anyone who wants deep drama or razor-sharp satire, but if you’re on the fence for a charming, easygoing date-night movie with a winning lead, this one earns the check.

For Love or Money wants to be a breezy New York rom-com with a “good guy in over his head” setup, powered by Michael J. Fox’s charm and a glossy concierge fantasy. The problem is it plays like a checklist of familiar beats, with thin stakes, predictable turns, and not nearly enough sharp comedy to make the scheme feel clever. If you need your romances to surprise you or your farces to actually bite, this will likely feel lightweight and a bit wasted. Still, Fox is reliably likable and the film has an easy, comfort-watch sheen that may work if you’re in the mood for something simple and undemanding.