I reluctantly gave this movie 2.5 stars based on an exciting, well-acted and unpredictable story line. It should be at least a 3-star film, but alas, the profanity was so prevalent I almost walked out. Oscar winners Jodie Foster, George Clooney, and Julia Roberts joined forces in this one, with Jodie directing and the other two acting. I wonât suggest Oscar Nominations for any of them, but the performances by Clooney and Roberts were first rate, and the chemistry was there.
Money Monster is the name of a TV show on fictional channel FNN, hosted by Lee Gates, played by Clooney. The show is patterned after CNBCâs popular afternoon show Mad Money, a finance television program hosted by Jim Cramer, presenting itself in an entertainment style format rather than a news broadcasting one. Gates takes the âentertainment styleâ a step or two further.
Clooney shines in the opening sequences as we watch him behind the scenes preparing for his show. Still on his cell phone 30 seconds before show-time, he is the epitome of a calm, confident and collected performer, supported by his Producer Patty Fenn, played by Roberts. The two are a perfect team, and watching them and their crew prepare is a treat, especially to those of us who are not part of that world. â5-4-3-2-1, youâre on,â and weâre off and running the unpredictable show now on the air.
Money Monster
Entertainment Rating: ★★1/2
Rating: R: a steady stream of heavy profanity throughout, hundreds of âFâ bombs and plenty of blasphemy as well.
Possible Oscar Nominations: Film editing
All of this takes place during the first five minutes of the film, setting us up for an unexpected sequence of events, as a disgruntled stockholder bursts onto the set, armed with a gun and a bomb, blaming Gates for losing his nest egg due to a stock Gates has been touting, âsafer than a bank.â He demands an explanation âor else.â The world watches on live TV as Gates, no longer calm, cool and composed and producer Fenn scramble not only to survive, but also to try to get some answers. Their desperate efforts reach out worldwide from the studio, tracking help from sources everywhere, using state of the art technology to help. There is an adrenalin rush for all of us as the story heads for an exciting and revealing conclusion. As an aside, Clooneyâs transition from a cocky show host to a terrified hostage is a unique bit of acting. Also, a tip of the hat to actor Lenny Venito, who played the game cameraman throughout.
In the meantime, without endorsing anyone, the movie story line suggests that possibly Bernie Sanders has a point or two about Wall Street being rigged, except he does not use profanity to express his points. At least we can thank him for that.
