Film: High seas treasure seekers...

BEN Finn' Finnegan (Matthew McConaughey) is an affable, modern-day treasure hunter who is obsessed with finding the legendary 18th century Queen's Dowry - 40 chests of priceless treasure that was lost at sea in 1715. In his quest, Finn has sunk everything he has, including his marriage to Tess (Kate Hudson).

Just as Tess has begun to rebuild her life, working aboard a mega-yacht owned by billionaire Nigel Honeycutt (Donald Sutherland), Finn discovers a vital clue to the treasure's whereabouts.

Much to Tess's consternation, Finn manoeuvres himself aboard Nigel's yacht and, using his roguish charm, convinces the tycoon and his daughter, Gemma (Alexis Dziena), to join him in the pursuit of the Spanish riches. Even Tess can't resist the lure of finally uncovering the treasure that had eluded them for so long.

But they are not the only ones after the prize. Finn's one-time mentor, Moe Fitch (Ray Winstone), and a ruthless local gangster named Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart) are intent on beating Finn to the trove. Let the treasure hunt begin Fools Gold marks a return to the big screen for Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, who last starred together in the rom-com hit How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

"It was great to come into this and already have that comfort zone with Matthew," states Hudson. "We both have a little bit of a competitive nature and throw little jabs at each other, which suited our characters and the dynamic of their relationship."

The story begins on the very day that their divorce is to become final. McConaughey says: "Finn finds a new clue - a big clue - to the treasure they've been searching for, for the last eight years. It's proof that the treasure is there, and if he can show her that they're on the right track after all, maybe she'll give him another chance and won't go through with the divorce.

"Finn has a gift for talking his way in and out of things, and luck - or is it fate? - is on his side more often than not. If you stick with him long enough, you'll be okayit's just that you're not quite sure where he's going or how the hell he's going to get there. He screws up all the time, but that's part of why Tess fell in love with him, I think."

As it turns out, Finn's instincts are right. The couple had fallen in love while researching the Queen's Dowry and spent their entire marriage searching for it. Now that they may be on the brink of finally unravelling the mystery, Tess finds herself drawn back into the hunt. Try as she might, Tess can't ignore the importance of Finn's latest discovery any more than she can resist Finn.

"You get the sense that Finn makes Tess crazy," admits Hudson. "She loves him, but he is completely irresponsible and doesn't think before he acts and Tess has a difficult time trusting his judgment.

"As you get to know their relationship, you understand why it's that kind of I love you, but I can't be near you, but I can't walk away from you' kind of thing. Of course, when Tess finally makes the leap to end the marriage, Finn manages to work his way back into her life and continues to drive her insane," she laughs.

Ray Winstone plays Finn's former mentor, Moe Fitch, a veteran treasure seeker who has now become his opponent in a race to uncover the Queen's Dowry. In researching the role of an inveterate treasure hunter, Winstone says he gained a great respect for those who dedicate their lives to uncovering relics of the past. "The people who devote their lives to salving and hunting for treasures have to be part scientist, part oceano-grapher, part gambler. And once you make your first find, you get a fever for it. If you love the sea and love exploring and love learning, it's a great way to live."

Hudson adds: "When you start hearing the stories of people who have actually discovered old shipwrecks, it's mind-boggling. The challenge of finding these things that have been preserved for hundreds of years beneath the ocean is thrilling. It's that same type of thrill-seeking passion that Tess and Finn share."