Money Monster
Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts
Directed by Jodie Foster
Subtlety gets tossed out the window in Jodie Foster’s fourth feature directorial effort. However, Money Monster features an engaging premise, propped up by some strong performances, and is thoroughly entertaining despite some narrative sloppiness.
George Clooney stars as Lee Gates, a bombastic financial TV host who has a close professional relationship with his longtime producer Patty Fenn (Roberts). It all seems to be just another day in the studio until an irate man named Kyle Budwell (Unbroken’s Jack O'Connell) storms the set, takes the entire crew hostage, and demands they keep the live cameras rolling. It turns out one of Gates’ lock-of-the week stock picks was a bit of a dud after the company in question suddenly lost millions of investor dollars. Of course, a vast conspiracy involving the mega-corporation ensues and the plot becomes increasingly ridiculous.
Despite plenty of B-movie trappings the film manages to touch, albeit heavy-handedly, on some timely material and even portrays a somewhat effective satirical look at the high stakes game of international stock trading. Money Monster’s script certainly could have used some finesse and the movie’s simplistic approach to the complex world of live TV broadcasting strains credulity. Thankfully, Foster displays her experience behind the camera by moving the story along swiftly while making plenty of room for some much-needed humour (some of it unintentional) to break the overall tension.
It’s far from perfect and won’t win any awards but Money Monster manages to tell a compelling story enhanced by plenty of competent acting.
