High-energy cable TV finance expert Lee Gates (George Clooney) is the host of fairly crass cable TV show ‘Money Monster’, so when he’s taken hostage during a live broadcast at first his viewers think it’s part of the act. Then when the bullets start flying, only his producer Patty (Julia Roberts) keeps a level head.
Gunman Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell) wants to know why Gates heavily promoted a stock that lost $800 million the night before in a so-called software glitch; while the police swarm outside and the world watches, those inside start to think maybe Kyle has a point.
Director Jodie Foster keeps the pace fast and the cynicism steady (the scenes where it undercuts the expected sappy twists are the most fun), creating a film that’s always entertaining but never really all that thought-provoking. It’s an old-fashioned “quality” thriller where plot and a name cast count for more than special effects, which leaves it feeling just a little old fashioned and out of touch. You might think an actor-turned- director would focus on performances. Surprisingly, everyone here – bar Clooney – doesn’t get much to work with as the plot powers forward. While Patty is understandably no-nonsense, Kyle ends up as little more than a plot device – though a scene with his pregnant girlfriend is definitely memorable.
Reviewed by Anthony Morris
