Money Monster

Certainly less memorable than the similarly staged Phone Booth or the smart Inside Man. Jodie Foster does has experience with the material, the running time is short, so they produce and coax a fast pace and dynamic editing, but it needs more twists and adrenaline moments, which are basically taken care of only by a guy with a gun. A thematically interesting and certainly serious-looking affair with a solid narrative value that could be even spicier and have a more distinctive signature. (28/08/2016)

I definitely wouldn’t have guessed Jodie Foster would transition to directing, but lo and behold, she’s done it, and her debut turned out to be exceptionally good. Don’t expect a film that’s constantly in motion; this one takes a different approach. The lead duo of George Clooney and Julia Roberts delivering exceptional performances is a strong guarantee of quality, as they are top-notch actors. And I shouldn’t forget Jack O'Connell, who hasn’t given such a convincing performance in a long time (aside from Eden Lake, where he excelled). Films centered around uncertain business deals and investing in various companies are quite rare, and with the added suspense, you shouldn’t hesitate and just watch the film. I’ve always been fascinated by films set in a single location, where you rely on the actors and their credible delivery of lines, since the audience doesn’t look away much. It had a few slower moments, but everything was building up to the finale, which I guessed immediately, but that didn’t bother me at all. Sometimes straightforwardness isn’t a bad thing. I give it 77%. (03/11/2017)

It seemed to me that I already saw something like this somewhere else and made better. A fine idea, but more work was need on the screenplay and it lacks an emotional climax. The kidnapper is unpleasant and O'Connell doesn’t have enough charisma to make up for the flatness of his character and his imperfect intentions. Clooney isn’t cast well even though he gives a decent performance, I could maybe imagine Downey in the role. Dominic West just turned up to pick up his wages, which is a shame. Foster isn’t good at drama and several times she spoils a perfectly good subplot which could have engaged the viewer. I liked the overall message, the realistic consequence of a cliché situations and the well illustrated corporate structure, but it had much more potential. (21/08/2016)

Money Monster is thriller with a nice concept but a weak dramatic drive. The emotional ending is impressive, but everything before that is neither as engaging and dynamic as in Ron Howard’s Ransom nor as cleverly plotted as in Spike Lee’s Inside Man. What it is, though, is as forgettable as Costa-Gavras’s Mad City. I am surprised that someone as ambitious as George Clooney agreed to produce this. Maybe he relied on the director’s more personal input (and talent). (09/08/2016)

I like that it takes place in a small space and that it's primarily a film that wants to captivate and entertain the viewer. However, it's also a film that shows the problems within society. It's depicted quite naively and superficially, but then there are words spoken that are terrifyingly true: "What can you do to me?" "What have I actually done that's illegal?" (05/09/2016)