Money Monster Movie Review

Money Monster is a 2016 American thriller film directed by Jodie Foster, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts. The movie follows the story of Lee Gates (George Clooney), a TV host who provides financial advice to his viewers. One day, during a live broadcast, a disgruntled investor named Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell) storms the studio and takes Gates hostage. He demands answers for losing all his savings based on Gates’ recommendation to invest in a certain company. As the situation unfolds, it becomes apparent that there is more at stake than just one man’s lost investment.

The film explores themes of corporate greed, financial corruption, and media manipulation. It raises questions about the role of media in society and how it can mislead people into making decisions that may have devastating consequences. The performances of the main cast are exceptional, with George Clooney delivering an impressive portrayal of an arrogant TV personality brought down to earth by a traumatic experience. Julia Roberts also shines as the producer who tries to keep her team safe while negotiating with the hostage-taker from behind the scenes. Overall, Money Monster is a thought-provoking thriller that will keep you on edge until the very end.

Plot Summary

Money Monster is a thriller film directed by Jodie Foster that centers on the character of Lee Gates, played by George Clooney, a famous TV personality who hosts a financial show called Money Monster. One day during a live broadcast, an enraged investor named Kyle Budwell, portrayed by Jack O’Connell, sneaks into the studio and takes Gates hostage at gunpoint. Budwell had lost all his savings due to an investment that Gates recommended on his show, which turned out to be fraudulent. The plot revolves around the hostage situation and the unfolding of events as Gates tries to uncover the truth behind the investment and calm down his captor.

The character motivations in Money Monster are well delineated and add depth to the plot. Lee Gates is initially shown as an arrogant person who views his job as only entertainment for his viewers. However, when faced with danger, he gradually realizes the gravity of his actions and how they can affect other people’s lives. Kyle Budwell is also portrayed as more than just a crazed gunman; he has genuine reasons for taking Gates hostage, and this adds complexity to his character. The movie’s plot twists are cleverly placed throughout the story and keep audiences engaged until its climactic ending.

Main Characters And Cast

Continuing with the review of Money Monster, let’s talk about the main characters and cast. The film revolves around three main characters: Lee Gates (played by George Clooney), Patty Fenn (played by Julia Roberts), and Kyle Budwell (played by Jack O’Connell). Each character plays a vital role in the movie, and their performances are worth mentioning.

George Clooney gives an outstanding performance as a TV host who is full of himself and thinks he is invincible until he faces danger. Julia Roberts plays his producer, who is always calm under pressure and can handle any situation thrown at her. Lastly, Jack O’Connell portrays Kyle Budwell, a man who has lost everything due to his financial investments going south. The character development of each character is well-crafted, and we see how they evolve throughout the movie. Behind the scenes, Jodie Foster skillfully directs the actors to deliver a compelling story that keeps you on edge until the very end.

The chemistry between the actors is spot-on, making their interactions feel natural and believable. Money Monster does an excellent job of portraying how greed can affect people’s lives drastically. Overall, this film is a must-watch for anyone who loves suspenseful thrillers with well-written characters and a great cast that delivers their roles perfectly.

Themes Explored In The Film

The movie “Money Monster” is a powerful exploration of the theme of power in modern society, specifically the power of corporations and their impact on individuals. Through the character of Lee Gates, a charismatic TV host who becomes a hostage when an angry investor loses his life savings based on Gates’ investment advice, the film examines the way in which financial institutions can manipulate and exploit people who are vulnerable or uninformed. The tension between Gates and his captor, as well as the wider backdrop of global financial crisis and corruption, create a sense of urgency and relevance that makes this film both entertaining and thought-provoking.

However, what elevates “Money Monster” above a typical thriller is its emphasis on human connection and empathy. Despite being initially distrustful of each other, Gates and his captor come to understand one another’s perspectives through honest communication and shared experiences. This highlights how empathy can be fostered even in extreme circumstances when there is a willingness to listen and understand one another. Additionally, the subplot involving Gates’ producer Patty Fenn reveals the importance of taking risks for those we care about and standing up for what we believe in, even if it means challenging those with more power or influence. Overall, “Money Monster” delivers an impactful message about the need for accountability in finance while also reminding us of our shared humanity.

Analysis Of Corporate Greed And Financial Corruption

After exploring the themes presented in Money Monster, it is evident that the film delves deep into the power dynamics within society, particularly between corporations and individuals. The movie highlights how those in positions of power can manipulate situations to their advantage, leaving ordinary people with no choice but to suffer the consequences. Through its portrayal of a financial TV show host held hostage by an angry investor, the film sheds light on how corporate greed can ultimately lead to financial corruption and societal impact.

One of the key takeaways from Money Monster is the devastating effects of corporate greed and financial corruption on individuals and society as a whole. The movie exposes how those in power can exploit their positions to engage in unethical practices that have far-reaching impacts on others. This is especially reflected in the character of Lee Gates (played by George Clooney), who uses his platform to promote certain stocks without considering their potential risks or impact on his viewers. Overall, Money Monster serves as a powerful reminder of how corporate greed and corruption can have serious consequences for both individuals and society at large.

Examination Of Media Manipulation

The manipulation of media is a prevalent theme in the film, “Money Monster.” The movie sheds light on the propaganda techniques used by corporations to control public opinion, mislead investors, and protect their interests. By creating sensationalized news stories and deflecting blame onto others, the characters in the film demonstrate how easily individuals can be swayed by false information.

Furthermore, “Money Monster” highlights the societal impact of media manipulation. Through the portrayal of widespread panic caused by a single erroneous report, the movie showcases how misinformation can lead to disastrous consequences. The film warns viewers about the dangers of blindly trusting the news and urges them to seek out multiple sources before forming an opinion or making decisions based on media reports. In conclusion, “Money Monster” serves as a wake-up call for audiences to remain vigilant against propaganda techniques and to make informed judgments based on facts rather than hearsay.

Acting Performances

Having examined the media manipulation aspect of Money Monster, let us now delve into the film’s acting performances. The cast is led by George Clooney, who plays Lee Gates, a charismatic and arrogant TV personality. Clooney delivers a captivating performance, effortlessly capturing the essence of his character. As Gates’ world unravels before him, we see glimpses of vulnerability that add depth to his portrayal.

Equally impressive is Julia Roberts as Patty Fenn, Gates’ long-suffering producer. Roberts brings a quiet intensity to her role, portraying Patty’s frustration and determination as she works to keep Gates alive while uncovering the truth behind his predicament. Jack O’Connell gives a standout performance as Kyle Budwell, the disgruntled investor who takes Gates hostage on live television. O’Connell displays an impressive range of emotions, from desperation to anger to regret, in a role that demanded both physical and emotional intensity.

The film’s character development is well executed, with each main character undergoing significant changes throughout the course of the story. The emotional impact of these changes is felt acutely by the audience as we witness their struggles and triumphs. Overall, Money Monster impresses with its strong acting performances and compelling character development that leave a lasting impact on viewers.

Overall Impressions And Conclusion

Money Monster is a film that manages to deliver an impactful message while also entertaining its audience. The movie revolves around Lee Gates, a popular financial TV host, and his producer Patty Fenn, who are held hostage on live television by a disgruntled investor named Kyle Budwell. As the situation unfolds, the film delves deeper into themes of corporate greed, corruption, and the power imbalance between Wall Street and Main Street. Through Kyle’s story and his desperation to hold someone accountable for his financial losses, Money Monster provides a scathing social commentary on the state of modern capitalism.

What sets Money Monster apart from other films with similar themes is its ability to balance humor and tension without diminishing the gravity of its message. The performances by George Clooney as Lee Gates and Julia Roberts as Patty Fenn are superb, adding an extra layer of nuance to their characters’ motivations. The film also benefits from strong supporting performances by Jack O’Connell as Kyle Budwell and Dominic West as Walt Camby, CEO of IBIS Clear Capital – the company whose stock Kyle invested in. Overall, Money Monster is a thought-provoking thriller that manages to be both entertaining and socially relevant – making it well worth a watch for anyone looking for more than just mindless action or cheap laughs.

Conclusion

Money Monster is a financial thriller that explores the themes of corporate greed, financial corruption, and media manipulation. The film follows Lee Gates (played by George Clooney), a flamboyant TV personality who hosts a popular financial advice show called Money Monster. During a live broadcast, a disgruntled investor named Kyle Budwell (played by Jack O’Connell) takes Gates hostage and demands answers about a stock tip that went wrong, causing him to lose all his money.

Throughout the film, the audience is taken on a tension-filled ride as Gates and his producer Patty Fenn (played by Julia Roberts) try to figure out what went wrong with the stock tip while also trying to keep Budwell from harming anyone. The film also delves into the corrupt practices of big corporations and how they can manipulate the market for their own gain.

The acting performances in Money Monster are top-notch, with both Clooney and Roberts delivering strong performances as always. O’Connell also shines as the enraged investor seeking justice. Director Jodie Foster does an excellent job of keeping the audience engaged throughout the film’s runtime.

Overall, Money Monster is an engaging and thrilling financial thriller that sheds light on some of society’s most pressing issues such as corporate greed, financial corruption, and media manipulation. It serves as an important reminder to viewers about the dangers of blindly trusting those in power when it comes to our finances.