Photo Credits: Atsushi Nishijima – ©2016 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Movie: Money Monster
Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, some sexuality and brief violence
Released in Theaters: May 13, 2016
Best for Ages: 17+
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 99 minutes
Directed by: Jodie Foster
Studio: Sony
Cast: Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Jack O’Connell
MOVIE SYNOPSIS: This tense drama centers on TV financial analyst Lee Gates (George Clooney), who’s taken hostage on air by irate investor Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell).
MONEY MONSTER – MOVIE REVIEW
In this ripped-from-the-headlines movie, George Clooney plays cynical Lee Gates, the hyperactive host of a personal finance TV show. Being somewhat smarmy, Lee has alienated everyone he works with, including his long-suffering director, Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts).
One day at the beginning of the show, a young man named Kyle (Jack O’Connell) sneaks onto the set posing as a delivery man, then pulls out a gun and forces Lee to put on a vest laced with explosives. And Kyle’s got the detonator.
Turns out Kyle is ticked off because the $60K he inherited from his mom went buh-bye from a bad investment endorsed by Lee. The “official story” is that the stock took a dive because of a computer glitch, but there’s more to that story than meets the eye. Kyle wants answers, and after hearing Kyle’s story, Lee wants answers, too. Meanwhile, Patty watches the nightmare unfold from the control room in the studio.
We’ve seen these movies before, but with our current economic climate, they’re more relevant now than ever. Someone who’s just barely getting by – on 14 bucks an hour, Kyle tells Lee – loses any extra cash he has and is majorly miffed about it. Meanwhile, the fat cats get richer and don’t give a flying fig about anyone but themselves.
Director Jodie Foster brings together a gripping storyline, great characters with whom we can identify, and equal bits of action, drama and even some comedy – all wrapped up with a big Hollywood Entertainment bow.
As the unhinged Kyle, Jack O’Connell gives it everything he’s got, and Clooney and Roberts are their usual charming selves. In short, “Money Monster” is a gripping tale of financial fraud that’s right on the money.
PARENT OVERVIEW: Violent scenes throughout include a hostage situation, the threat of explosives, guns and shooting, and characters wounded or killed. Some blood is shown. Strong language includes “f–k,” “s–t,” “c–k,” “bitch,” and more. A secondary character tries out an “erection cream” and has stand-up sex with a woman backstage (both covered by clothes). Minor characters snort cocaine, smoke pot and smoke from a bong.
PARENT DETAILS (May Contain Spoilers):
Violence/Gore: The story centers on a hostage situation, with a man pointing a gun at another man throughout the movie. Characters are shot, with some wounded and some killed. Some blood is shown. A man is forced to put on a vest laced with explosives, and another man has the detonator. One scene shows a violent miner’s strike in South Africa. A few violent images from old movies are shown.
Sex/Nudity: A character tests an “erection cream,” and ends up having stand-up sex with a woman. Both are covered with clothing, but it’s still graphic.
Profanity: Strong language throughout, including “f–k,” “s–t,” “a–hole,” “c–ksucker,” “p—y,” “son of a bitch,” “ass,” “bastard,” “balls,” “goddamn” and “Jesus Christ” used as an exclamation.
Drugs/Alcohol: Brief images of minor characters snorting cocaine, smoking pot, and smoking from a bong.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM:
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane. Contact her at jboursaw@charter.net. Images in this review used courtesy of the studio and distributor. Photo Credits: Atsushi Nishijima – ©2016 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
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