Rating: A
A 90-minute thrill-ride through a real-time hostage crisis, Money Monster delivers a vigorous story and dazzling performances.
George Clooney is a washed-up financial news TV host, who is taken hostage live on air when an out-of-pocket investor (Jack O’Connell) breaks into his studio with a gun and a bomb demanding answers. George is scraping rock bottom, but fortunately is assisted by the supportive and inventive Julia Roberts behind the director’s desk in the studio, producing, directing, and scripting what could very well be the end of their lives. A wonderful supporting cast give us the B-plot of trying to bring the Wall Street bankers responsible for the $800 million crash in question to account before the show is over.
The tension is real and the core trio of characters are potent. George and Julia have been together on screen many times before, of course, and their chemistry is what carries this film, despite being in different rooms and communicating only electronically. The deranged occupying ‘terrorist’ played by O’Connell would seem to represent the entire Occupy Wall Street movement and much more, so you can’t help but root for him to win. Foster’s direction is majestic and punchy while still leaving breathing room for the principal cast to exude their magnificence.
To put Money Monster in it’s filmic context, the premise, along with some self-flagellating zaniness from the host, naturally draws a comparison with Network (1976). But with social media embedded throughout the story (as in our lives) and hackers (perhaps representing the real life group Anonymous?) called upon to save the day, it places it firmly in our present world with all its values and lack thereof. So while it’s getting a decided “meh” from critics, I believe Money Monster to be this generation’s Wall Street, and much more compelling than attention-grabber The Big Short.
Do yourself a favour and forget real life’s awfulness, and enjoy the two most beautiful people in Hollywood doing what they do best with a great script and a great director. It’s 90 well-invested minutes those fat-cats on Wall Street can’t steal from you.