George Clooney plays Lee Gates, a charismatic and over the top host of a high energy financial television program. Sound delightful for a movie? Maybe not, but things quickly go haywire as the television show is high-jacked by someone who lost all of their money based off of a tip that Gates gave on his show. Drama is sure to ensue, and the set of the show, named Money Monster, becomes the backdrop for a realtime story directed by Jodie Foster.
The mad-man high-jacker, played by Jack O'Connell, interrupts the live broadcast of the show and demands answers to the sudden failure of a stock that Gates had said was safer than a savings account. Armed with a gun and an explosive vest for Gates to wear, he wants to keep the cameras rolling so that his voice can be heard and so that people can get an explanation to what happened to $800 million dollars that disappeared overnight.
Normally the idea of a movie about money does not excite me. I can be surprised by good ones, however. I was a big fan of The Big Short, and I quickly became a fan of Money Monster. Foster does not waste time doddling around before the action begins, foregoing a fully introductive first act in a similar way that Hush did in its home invasion movie earlier this year. Even the ten minutes or so of set up is interesting to watch as it is done at a fast pace and we get a perspective of what kind of person Lee Gates is.
Gaining this perspective is crucial to the rest of the film, because it sets us up for understanding the character arc that he goes through. He is a loud mouth who can't keep his words to himself, and he needs to transform to someone who listens when his life is threatened. Clooney provides a solid performance here, as the character of Gates feels legitimate and authentic. Adding to the transition of Gates is the show's director, played by Julia Roberts. The chemistry between the two acting veterans is undeniable and it alone is enough to carry the film.
The first two acts of Money Monster take place in the television studio, and this is where the film shines the most. Foster keeps the dialogue and scenes flowing, making great use of the dynamic score by Dominic Lewis which fuels the tension that is unfolding. The small area in which they are confined is used well as showing that there is no escape for Clooney and demonstrating the power that O'Connell has over the situation.
Things do degrade a bit when the third act comes around. There is a change in the tone of the story, and there is a bit of a leap in Gates' character that feels as though it is rushed and not properly developed. The movie goes from story telling to making a statement, and while I am not against films making a statement, it did not come off as earned as it was such a change in the voice of Money Monster and feels a tad bit preachy.
With that said, it is a satisfying time in the theatre. For people who are looking for a thriller that is more adult based, they will find solace in the arms of the Money Monster. As we sit and watch the movie, we are witness to audiences in the film take time out of their day to pay close attention to the story as it unfolds. If anything, the movie nails the fact that once the news cycle is done, people go back to their lives as though nothing has changed. Perhaps that is the biggest difficulty for change, the short attention span of human beings and the clinging to only what is hot and making current headlines.
Rating - 3 out of 4 stars
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