All the Money in the World

I think Ridley Scott soured this movie for me from the start by replacing Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer. That alone made me hesitant to watch it at the time, even though Plummer delivers a solid performance. Eventually, I gave it a chance, and while the film has that classic epic Hollywood feel, it drags in places and feels unnecessarily long. Still, it's not a bad movie, and definitely not a waste of time. But the whole Me Too shadow is something it’ll never shake off, especially since Spacey was cleared of the charges. Hollywood really showed how ruthless it can be when money’s involved. (03/26/2021)

I didn't believe in it too much, but in the end I'm surprised how much I enjoyed the film. Ridley Scott's direction is slick and precise, Mark Wahlberg is classically good and Charlie Plummer was solid, though I think Kevin Spacey would have been better. Quite suspenseful towards the end and there was a twist, so I'm satisfied. 70% (04/12/2018)

In recent years, Ridley Scott's work has been heavily criticized for no longer producing films of the same quality as in the past, but I must disagree. Although his newer films may not reach the heights of Alien or Gladiator, they still boast above-average craftsmanship with no major issues in terms of craftsmanship. All the Money in the World fits this category. I believe the film received significant criticism mainly due to the reshoots with Plummer, but I actually consider that a brilliant choice. The role suited his age, and he infused his character, Getty, with brilliant acting attributes, making his screen appearances thoroughly enjoyable. Visually, the film is top-notch; I particularly liked the changing filters and shading, and I always appreciate a film that doesn't feel mundane. In terms of the story, there are notable positives, and the final cut didn't turn the film into a mess, which I consider a major plus. Although the first half of the film is more dialogue-driven, the second half picks up the pace, with the story gaining momentum and a few intense moments. I must also highlight the music. The only issue I had was that Wahlberg's character occasionally felt like a secondary player and didn’t always fit into the film, but his performance was still very well-executed. Plummer shone, and Williams as the mother did not disappoint either. I would have adjusted the ending as it doesn’t quite align with reality, but it’s still a very above-average film about a true event that few people know. I give it 78%. (01/29/2018)

How come no one filmed this before? This well-written drama directed with Ridley Scott’s traditional elegance is first and foremost a delicate satire of the spiritually bankrupt moneybags Getty, who was driven by his lust for wealth. The grotesqueness of his character makes him a bigger villain than the Italian kidnappers; he is even reminiscent of the Daniel Day-Lewis’s character from There Will Be Blood. Whatever Kevin Spacey was like in his role, Ridley’s original intention to cast Christopher Plummer was a good choice, as the veteran actor is phenomenal with his facial expressions and gestures. The secondary storyline, which actually takes up more of the runtime, is a thriller dominated by Getty’s counterpoint — the desperate but strong mother of the kidnapped portrayed by the excellent Michelle Williams. Hitchcock would be pleased with her hairstyle and frightened expression. Wahlberg, the film’s highest-paid actor, was just a makeweight. The less you know about the real story, the more you enjoy the movie. (01/24/2018)

The great premise and the interesting potential in the storyline is exploited only halfway. Ridley Scott, of course, gives the viewer a refined vintage piece with gorgeous filters and lavish 1970s production design (Roma rulez) – he's always been a master of that, and even at his advanced age, he's not letting down his standards. There's no shortage of his creative trademarks either – e.g. what would a Scott flick be without a scene with falling snow? The pace is a bit weaker, sometimes unbalanced, and the plot jumps around and often omits important points that the viewer is forced to assume. But Ridley did hit the right balance with the bad guys. On the one hand, the menacing Ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia (very hardcore), on the other the uncompromising and bankrupt billionaire Getty, played in the end by Christopher Plummer, who delivers a brilliant performance. Maybe it will mature with time, but at the moment the form and one good figure is not enough to make me happy. (03/25/2018)