Nat (Christopher Walken), an eccentric con artist, tries to reconnect with his estranged son Flynn (Alessandro Nivola) when he learns he has a terminal brain tumor.  He convinces Nat to drive across the country for an experimental medical treatment in New Mexico.  Nat comes up with scheme after scheme so they can travel on $5 a day.   Flynn doesn't like how he grew up with a con man for a father (who tries every con and drives a Sweet N' Low car for the free gas).  He tries to put aside his past, but he is afraid to let the girl he loves (Amanda Peet) in on his past.   This trip is a chance to know his father gaain and discover what he really wants from life.

$5 A DAY is a lightweight comedy that is entertaining and is buoyed by the perfromance from Christopher Walken who is always a joy to watch no matter how good or bad the movie is.   Sharon Stone is in the film for a few minutes as a con woman who wish could have hooked up with Nat years ago while Peter Coyote is  good as the slimy guy who stole Nat's woman a long time ago.   This movie is a good distraction for a rainy day or the type of movie you would catch on cable only to stay on that channel.