Movie Review: All the Money in the World (2017)

In my movie reviews, I usually try to avoid too many spoilers. However, since this is based on real events, I won't really be able avoid the basic historical facts.

All the Money in the World is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Christopher Plummer, Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Plummer and Timothy Hutton. You can watch the trailer at the bottom of this post.

In 1973, actor Balthazar Getty's father was kidnapped on the streets of Rome and held for ransom. His father was Paul Getty III, who was himself the grandson of multi-billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. He was just 16-years old when he was kidnapped. His grandfather was the richest man in the world. It was perceived that his grandson would be worth a lot to him. He wasn't.

It is impossible to review this film without mentioning the historical last minute replacement of Kevin Spacey, one of the lead roles in the film, with Christopher Plummer. It came to light that Kevin Spacey has long been accused of sexual assault against teenagers. So to make sure they didn't lose all the money they invested in the film, the studio replaced him at the last minute with Christopher Plummer. And really, the decision was about money because no theaters would have shown this if they released it so soon after the allegations against Spacey came to light. Kevin Spacey's reputation in regards to both adults and children was apparently well known in Hollywood so if they really had any sense of dignity they wouldn't have cast him in the first place.

Anyway, back to the movie. It's hard not to wonder how different this may have been if they had not done such quick reshoots with Plummer. While I couldn't imagine Spacey in the role (Plummer is fantastic), it just seems to be a little rushed. The film is telling the story of 3 people and it seems like it's having difficulty with whose story it's actually telling.

Charlie Plummer (no relation) plays Paul Getty III, who is kidnapped in the opening scene. The scene is in black and white, in an apparent tribute to old Italian Neo-Realism films. The scene shows a group of prostitutes that seems to evoke a scene from Fellini's Nights of Cabiria. His story follows him as he is first kidnapped by communists, then sold to the mafia, who cut off his ear in an unnecessarily gruesome scene.

Michelle Williams plays Paul's mother, Gail Harris. She divorced his father after Paul caught him in a drugged out state sleeping with another woman. She persists in getting her son released with little help from his grandfather.

Christopher Plummer plays the oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, who refuses to pay the ransom. While he believes Paul may have staged the kidnapping, his mind does not change upon finding out that he really was kidnapped and now held by the mafia. He is a stubborn man obsessed with wealth who would rather let his grandson die rather than lose any money.

Paul Getty comes from a family of addicts. He would later become a drug addict, overdosing in his 20's, leaving him a quadriplegic. His father was a drug addict, as depicted in the film. His grandfather was addicted not to drugs, but to money. He is the richest man in the world but does his own laundry to save money. Thriftiness can be a virtue in the poor and working class. As he already has everything, it's a sign of pathology, of his addiction.He installs a pay phone for guests. He refuses to pay his own grandson's ransom but pays over 1 million dollars for a stolen painting of the Madonna and child. He proclaims it a beautiful child, the artwork being a substitute depiction of the familial bonds that have no place in his own life.

The film adds drama seemingly just to keep up the pace, and keep the audience interested. They invent situations where Paul is almost rescued before something goes wrong. It's eventful in a movie that really is not that engaging. There is certainly nothing wrong with events depicted from multiple perspectives, but it comes across as unfocused. Early scenes involve flashbacks that disrupt the storyline. As the film progresses, the film takes on a linear timeline.

The acting is superb for most part, especially Christopher Plummer. For having little time to prepare and with filming on a tight deadline, that is remarkable. Mark Wahlberg is alright as a former CIA agent who works for J. Paul Getty and assists Gail in rescuing her son.

The elder Getty is over the top is unlikeability. Even in a ransom he looks for ways to achieve a tax deduction. He not only offers none of his wealth to his descendents, but also presents real danger to them in doing so. People assume the wealth belongs to the family and so this puts his children and grandchildren in danger. Although he is in a secure mansion, he offers no protection to his family, who he has left on their own, only worthy of his wealth if they can earn it. He's so unlikeable that I almost want to see someone so reprehensible as Spacey in the role. It wouldn't even require him to act.

Overall, the movie is watchable, but comes across as less than the ideal film they originally delivered. I guess I will rate it $3 out of $5.

Balthazar Getty had nothing to do with the film and has said he won't watch it. He also has a story to tell and it's a good follow-up to the film. He has the same struggles with addiction as others in his family. After this tragedy, it's nice to know someone actually can step out on their own and gain their own fame.

This trailer is the property of Sony Pictures