Money Monster

Money Monster, released in 2016, is a suspenseful and gripping financial thriller that combines elements of drama, crime, and intrigue. The film is directed by accomplished actress Jodie Foster and features a stellar cast made up of film industry heavyweights, such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jack O'Connell.

The film pivots around the character Lee Gates, portrayed powerfully by George Clooney. Gates is a bombastic and slick financial television host who commands the stage of his show "Money Monster" with aplomb. He reels off financial advice and stock market predictions with a mix of spectacle and showmanship, enabling the analytical and often dry world of finance to be accessible and entertaining to the average viewer.

Alongside Gates, Julia Roberts gives another impeccable performance as Patty Fenn, the show's long-time producer who's seen it all in the chaotic, ever-challenging world of live television. She skillfully keeps things running smoothly behind the camera and often works to keep Gates in check. The established professional relationship and rapport between Clooney and Roberts is palpable, and their on-screen chemistry is one of the film's highlights.

The story takes a high-stakes turn when an irate and desperate investor, Kyle Budwell (played by Jack O'Connell), storms onto the live set. Budwell has invested his life savings into a tip endorsed by Gates that ends up going spectacularly south. Consequently, he loses every penny and believes he's been robbed. This character helps bring a real sense of humanity and illustrates the tangible impact of stock market losses, capturing the desperation of the everyman. O'Connell delivers a performance that is fraught with panic and rage which really drives the tension of the plot.

Budwell takes Gates hostage on-air, strapping a bomb to him and demanding answers. The entire nation ends up watching this real-time thriller unfold as Gates and Fenn, who find themselves in a life-threatening situation, are forced to uncover the truth behind the financial debacle that led Budwell to ruin.

What sets Money Monster apart is its prescient commentary on the financial world, exploring themes of corporate greed, market manipulation, and economic inequality. It captures the volatile nature of the financial market, offering a critique of how the common man's life can be upended due to unscrupulous practices.

The dynamic plot of Money Monster keeps audiences guessing throughout as the story plays out. Additionally, its real-time narrative enhances the tension and claustrophobic desperation of the story. Just like the stock market, the film is a rollercoaster of rising and plunging tensions, market crashes, and explosive moments.

Foster's direction shines in Money Monster, particularly in the way she keeps the pace tight and the suspense high. She manages the challenge of making a movie that largely takes place in a single location exciting and engaging, using savvy camera angles, and clever story progression.

Notably, the performances are extraordinary. Clooney and Roberts, being the seasoned actors that they are, bring depth and credibility to their characters. On the other hand, O'Connell gives an intense performance as the disgruntled investor demanding justice, casting a profound, humanising light on the millions of people who can lose everything in the infamous ‘game’ of stocks.

Money Monster is a smart, thrilling film that effectively combines a high-stakes hostage situation framework with a biting critique of Wall Street. It is unafraid to ask tough questions about the world of high finance and its potential human cost. Above all, it serves as a fascinating exploration of live television, financial injustice, and its real-world consequences. It's a gripping story told with style, suspense, and sharp performances. It might be about the world of finance, but it makes sure that the human element is never lost.