All The Money In The World: "To Be A Getty Is An Extraordinary Thing"

Director: Ridley Scott
Writer:     David Scarpa 
Starring: Michelle Williams
                Christopher Plummer
                Mark Wahlberg
                Charlie Plummer
                Romain Duris
                Andrew Buchan
Rating:    ****

Release Date: Out Now 

All the Money in the World is not typically the sort of film that I would find myself drawn to; but with a month long complete reshoot, I was intrigued to see how the film would look. The film is a sleek and thrilling look at the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III (Paul) and his mums desperate attempts to convince his grandfather, John Paul Getty, to pay the $17million ransom. Strong performances, and a gripping script kept me on my toes; but at the same time, increasingly frustrated.

Michelle Williams & Mark Wahberg

The film’s main focus is Gail, Paul’s mother, and her frantic panic as she tries to bring her son home alive. Michelle Williams gives a gritty and moving performance as a terrified mother, and yet she keeps her strong and poised in a male and chauvinistic environment. She is forever battling the men around her as well as the men that have I snapped her son, but she keeps it together and it’s her strength that holds the movie together and allows her performance to shine through.

Christopher Plummer, who was brought in extremely last minute for reasons I am not willing to discuss, delivers a career defining performance. His stoic and cold demeanour is equally saddening as it is extremely frustrating. I found myself screaming inside for him to stop being so selfish and just pay the money, but instead he let his pride and clear issues with Gail get in the way of doing what was right. As annoying as it became, it truly goes to show how invested and true to the man himself Plummer was, and to do that in such little time truly shows what an actor he is.

Christopher Plummer & Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg as the ex-CIA operative who helps in the case does little to light up the screen, while Charlie Plummer as the kidnapped heir was hard to empathise for as he came across more cocky than helpless. The character I found, strangely, the most compelling and heart breaking was Romain Duris as Cinquanta, one of Paul’s kidnappers. He seems to be going through a constant moral battle in regards to what he is doing, and as the film goes on he shows true signs of regret and ends up doing what he can to help Paul. His mental battle with his morals, was for me far more impactful than some of the more obviously emotional scenes.

Director Ridley Scott has produced some of his best work with All the Money in the World, and my only negative take always come from the characters, which can’t be helped as they are based on real people. David Scarpa has adapted the script from a book by John Pearson, and it is exciting, intense and well formed. It allows the actors to fully engross themselves and Ripley Scott to create a dynamic and electric film. It was thrilling and moving; and with stunning performances from Williams, Plummer and Duris, All the Money in the World is sure to be known as one of Ridley Scott’s best!

All the Money in the World