Money Monster (2016)

Directed by: Jodie Foster

Written by: Jamie Linden, Alan DiFlore, & Jim Kouf

Starring: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, & Jack O'Connell








I love Jack O'Connell!  Mostly because he was in Skins.  If you haven't seen that show.  Go watch it!  It's my favorite show.

So of course, I had to see this film because he's in it.

But also in it is Clooney and Roberts so...that too.  Plus Jodie Foster directs it.  Who doesn't love Foster?

Lee Gates (Clooney) is the star of the show Money Monster.  He gives investment advice and talks about stock.  Patty Fenn (Roberts) is his director.  While doing their daily show, Kyle Budwell (O'Connell), an investor,  comes onto the stage and starts shooting.  In a panic, everyone on set becomes compliant to his demands.  But all Kyle wants is answers as to why Ibis lost 8 million dollars in one day.

I will admit that even though I love O'Connell and everything he does, this film drags a little.  Mostly at the beginning when everyone is trying to figure out how to save the hostages.  It makes sense though.  It's a typical hostage situation, but instead of someone stealing money or something valuable, all Kyle wants is an answer of why his money, that he invested in Ibis, is gone.

What I like about this movie is that even though at the beginning it's "Everyone, take out Budwell," it twists to where Budwell becomes the victim.  And it is pretty evident when that happens.  Poor guy.

The acting is pretty good.  I was a little confused as to why O'Connell was holding back.  In Skins, he plays James Cook, who is pretty all over the place and can get angry really quickly.  So my point is, he seems to be holding back on getting angry, but as the story continues, it makes sense why.

Julia Roberts' character seems too calm.  But she's the director, so maybe she was supposed to be.  I wish there was more indication with action to show how she was really feeling.  They show it once, but I think maybe one or two more times would have been sufficient.

Clooney is great.  He is angry, funny, and trying to stay calm when he is the main hostage.  He played it perfectly, I think.

Overall it's great.  It's a thinking type film and I think it goes well with how much trust is put into the stock market these days.  4 popcorns.