In this media age it pays to be a good orator. Those
who know how to sell products are much in demand as the many home shopping
networks attest. We live in an era of constant selling, whether it’s
stocks, cars or other items. ‘Money Monster’ explores what happens when
complete trust is placed in such people. How one’s person’s belief in
what they’ve been told leads to desperate acts showing the danger in accepting
anything at face value. Directed by Jodie Foster, ‘Money Monster’ is a
tense thriller hopefully making audiences think twice about what they see and
hear.
Lee Gates (George Clooney) is a host of a popular finance TV
show. Working with his producer Patty (Julia Roberts), Lee dispenses his
Wall Street wisdom about which stocks and bonds to buy. Lee’s words come
back to haunt him when he meets Kyle (Jack O’Connell). A viewer who
followed his financial advice and lost everything. Kyle’s disgruntlement
becomes Lee’s displeasure. Events spiral quickly out of control as Kyle
takes the TV station hostage with his gun and fury putting Lee and his crew in
the line of fire.
‘Money Monster’ is
a very topical essay on how society is easily drawn into schemes. Seeing
is not always believing with Clooney’s slick cash seller masking the
deficiencies of the financial system. Perfectly cast as the sly shyster,
Clooney excels in his character’s fluid use of the truth and determination to
reach goals at any price. Roberts and O’Connell give equally strong
performances as people desperately using skills at opposite ends of the
crisis. They effectively convey the situation’s danger as they grapple to
achieve outcomes suited to their characters.
Foster’s economical
direction wrings the best from the thin premise. Tension is keenly felt
through every frame with scenes crackling with bitter regrets and continuing
rage. Although it’s easy kicking financial institutions, Foster ensures all
sides of the argument are shown with illegal practices having a devastating
emotional domino effect. The cinematography evokes memories of classic
70’s conspiracy thrillers to which recent films seem to be returning. The
‘in your face’ quality draws you into events, giving an immediacy in the
increasingly volatile situation.
Another solid
directorial outing from Foster, ‘Money Monster’ moves at a gripping pace.
Money may perhaps be the root of all evil but falling for any old con is just as
worse. The art of research and discovery something many in current society
should adhere.
Movie Review Rating
out of 10: 8
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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