Grade: B
At age 80, director Ridley Scott knows his way around a camera, and is one of the masters at telling a compelling story and keeping things moving. Even if his films typically veer toward the lengthy side, I tend to remain in my seat and forego a mid-movie trip to the facilities when I’m watching one of his. I wrote this about The Martian two years ago, and the same is true for his latest film All the Money in the World.
Based on a true story, many of you might remember hearing about it when it happened, if you’re old enough (I am not). In 1973, a 16 year old American boy named John “Paul” Getty III is kidnapped in Rome. The ransom is set at $17 million. His grandfather, billionaire Jean Paul Getty, is the richest man alive at the time, and likely one of the richest people who have ever lived, but is notoriously stingy and extremely hesitant to pony up the 17 million. He’d rather see if he can negotiate it down.
Performances are effective. Michelle Williams is marvelous as Paul’s mother. I, of course, know her best from Dawson’s Creek, but in recent years, she has blossomed into quite the accomplished actress with a few Oscar nominations. Hopefully one is forthcoming for her work here. I most recently enjoyed her in Manchester By the Sea. As the grandfather’s security man who helps with the case, Mark Wahlberg isn’t as flashy as his two co-stars, but provides a nice anchor that serves the action well. The other Oscar-worthy performance comes from Christopher Plummer, who really steps up to the plate as Jean Paul Getty senior. I have to acknowledge the elephant no longer in the room. The movie was in the can and ready to go with Kevin Spacey in the role, but in light of “recent events,” Ridley Scott decided to erase Spacey, cast Plummer and reshoot everything with him. I was looking forward to seeing Spacey in the film, and by all reports, his performance brought a detached frostiness to the character. Plummer has that too, but can also be sweet, charming, pensive, enigmatic, and many other things. He shows a lot of range.
All the Money in the World is interesting and engrossing because of the story, the drama of the last two months that necessitated some last-minute filming, and the fun fact that Paul Getty’s son is actor Balthazar Getty, who has quite the film resume, including 1996’s White Squall, directed by Ridley Scott. It is an exciting and satisfying cinematic experience. As Jesus says in the book of Mark, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Grade: B
Film Reviews by Mark 
Leave a reply to The Long Walk – Film Reviews by Mark Cancel reply