Counterfeiting in Suburbia

It's an invalid story, but for a lazy Monday I was able to turn a blind eye to the flaws and get through its 90 minutes. The one caveat that the two main teens discussed is not frequenting the same retailer or currency exchange place more than once. But you see the girls buying mass quantities of designer clothes on two occasions with fake 100 dollar bills (based on the old style bills that aren't currently produced) and the cashier doesn't raise any red flag. Most retailers at least swipe a pen for large bills. And any time you need currency exchanged, a valid photo ID is required. But anyways, the movie is made-for-TV, so it's not a reflection of reality. Sarah Butler is a dimensional actress, and has that attractive physique. Just wanted to mention that. The ending especially was a slap in the face.

I try to judge these TV movies, especially the ones shown on Hallmark and Lifetime, on a curve. After all, they aren't even in the same universe as the movies from Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino, Kubrick, and a dozen other current and past filmmakers I could name. They are formulaic, aimed to meet specific audience expectations, and almost always follow a similar pattern. Even grading on a scale, this one is especially bad. It started out with an interesting premise, but went downhill faster than a bobsled. No one noticed the bills all had the same serial numbers? Inept Secret Service agents that can't catch a high school girl - twice? No backup? I don't like reviews with spoilers, so I'll stop there with mentioning the things that were just wrong with the plot. Most especially, the last half hour or so, and the totally unrealistic ending, really had me shaking my head. I can suspend disbelief happily with some movies, but this one stretched by ability to do so beyond the breaking point. I've long ago learned that when you see a move that claims to be "based on true events" or "inspired by true events", what you are really going to see is complete fiction. That had to be the case here. I would guess that somewhere some high school students tried to make counterfeit money. That would be where any similarity between reality and this movie ended. I am curious about one thing, though. Why does Lifetime keep changing the titles of movies? This was "Counterfeiting in Suburbia" when it was originally released. Lifetime recently replayed it under the title "Deadly Transaction". That title change thing has happened with quite a few of the movies they have shown recently, with movies that are a couple of years or more older. Why do they do that?

At least this Lifetime movie deals with a not often dealt with topic - counterfeiting money. The premise that 2 teenage girls can make such good counterfeit notes is hard to accept. The action comes when a crooked teacher wants in on the action. The ending is quite satisfactory - not too fairytale.

We saw this last night under the title Deadly Transaction. Riley and Erica are NOT your typical high schoolers. They print counterfeit money and spend it lavishly. The movie stars Sarah Butler who always does a great job as the relative who discovers their secret as well as their lowlife art teacher who has an unpaid debt. He also discovers their secret. What happens next? Tune in to find. out Only thing that was missing is HOW the high schoolers got involved with this life of crime? Definitely would watch again.

Take Mad Money (2008), which isn't exactly a masterpiece, dilute its plot with gallons of water and you'll be left with something resembling this film. Stereotypical, one-dimensional characters, a strange plot that's disjointed at best (and bizarre at worst) with a cookie cutter story of good guys dealing with financial woes and venturing into a life of crime to pay back the loan sharks (and banks). And, of course, throw in a character who's there merely for the adrenaline rush. Just to spice things up a tad bit. The reason I'm giving it 3/10 is because, at the very least, it wasn't exactly unwatchable. Probably because counterfeiting is something I've fantasized about as a cash strapped kid.

I don't know why so many people post negative reviews which are unduly harsh on this website. Anyway, I saw this and I thought it was pretty damn good! The acting was actually good and the movie kept me interested throughout. It also starred Sarah Butler, who is always fantastic! 8/10.

Nice move for the fact that it had a different plot than the average Lifetime movie. And nice to see non-LA weather for a change. But the movie was loaded with plot holes and stupid things. It takes artists years to master intaglio. The girls did it instantly. Why was the art teacher such a stupid cocky jerk who happens to have a gratuitous money problem with the mafia? If he gets all this new printing equipment in the school, why didn't he just print the money himself? Why in the world did the flunky mechanic go to the currency exchange? Is he traveling abroad? (Her wig wasn't much of a disguise.) Why did it take so long for the feds to figure out the money laundering scheme? Why did the girl not fix the gash in her leg BEFORE dinner? Why is Ellen DeGeneres the cop? And again, he gets hit in the head with a 2x4 THREE times and nothing! He must be Yosemite Sam! She donates what is effectively stolen money! Don't the feds want that money back? Although the final scene with the little girl was quite humorous. All that said, it was still fun to watch. And as I've said elsewhere, it's best to watch this with someone else to make sarcastic remarks with.

This movie is something that would be good at your 14 year old daughter's sleepover. The two main characters are pretty static and predictable but the antagonists and supporting characters are entertaining especially near the end. The acting depicts teenagers how a 12-14 year old would think of teenagers which would explain why older people are less entertained. Not unlike the depiction of teenagers in riverdale. Also bonus points for attractive people.

We don't want to know a history lesson on counterfeit laws at the end! We WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH TIME THE AUNT GOT, WHERE THE ART TEACHER IS AND HOW MUCH TIME HE GOT AS WELL AS THE BEST FRIEND!!! Great movie but the facts are lost and forgotten at the end which ruins the entire movie... WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE THREE???? AND COMMUNITY SERVICE??? WOW... UNBELIEVABLE.

I would not say this is a perfectly written script, but, frankly, the plot points are solid and the acting is pretty good. What strikes me the most about the story is the base realism the high schoolers display in thinking (to paraphrase), "We're too smart to get caught. No worries." As a teacher, I see that as a very realistic viewpoint for many young people today in our "freebie society." Bravo! Jim Hoffmann "The Boy in the Box: America's Unknown Child (3rd Edition) Et al.