Gordon & Barbara in Paris

Gordon & Barbara in Paris
Here's Looking at YOU

Monday, May 16, 2016

Money Monster

Money Monster—Directed by Jodie Foster/Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Dominic West, Caltriona Balfe and Lenny Venito/Screenplay by Jim Kouf, Jamie Linden, Alan Di Fiore from a story by Alan DiFiore and Jim Kouf/ 1hr 38 mins/rated R

Bifocal Reviews written by “Ageless1der” Barbara Rich & The Other Guy

(BR): It’s obvious that monsters do not only dwell underneath the bed, around dark corners, and in creepy places, but as the title implies they are built into the fabric of American life, because when making money takes on a life of its own scary things happen. Trying to make money makes people do desperate things. This film shows how tangled up we all are in raising and spending money, money, money. The plot is focused around the famous question: Where did the money go? When we find out, no one is surprised that the rich are getting richer at everyone else’s expense. I found this movie interesting and entertaining. There were no real opportunities for stand out performances. Though, all the acting was good. I give this film three binoculars.

(GR): What I liked about this film was that it viewed the obsession we have with money in this country (now don’t get your back hairs up Wall Streeters) from a number of different perspectives. Many of the reviews of this film have even claimed that Money Monster demonizes the rich! I don’t think that is the case. What is demonized is the attitude that rules don’t have to be followed when it comes to money. Whatever you are doing, if you are hurting people for the sake of money…that is bad. It doesn’t make it any better or worse if the harm is caused by someone with little or lots in their bank account. After all, we generally are proud of the fact that we have a capitalist society in the U.S., yet capitalism is NOT a political party. In this movie, the guy who invests vast amounts of money from his investors is doing wrong…So is the everyday hero who holds George Clooney’s character hostage because George (a star of an economic television show) prompted him to lose all his saving by investing in the rich criminal’s business. George was just doing his job when he recommended the stock. It’s what he does to make money. The guy who lost his shirt was trying to make money and so was the Corporate Crook. Being upset about making a bad investment is not wrong. Taking people hostage is. Knowingly lying to people to take their money and then trying to influence a revolt in another country is also wrong. Being rich isn’t. I give Money Monster three binoculars also.