Dumb Money (2023) Movie Review
Craig Gillespie's film "Dumb Money" delves into the GameStop short squeeze of 2021, capturing the stories of both major and minor players in a captivating manner. The movie sheds light on the imbalances within the financial market, making it both informative and entertaining. While comparisons to Adam McKay's "The Big Short" are inevitable, "Dumb Money" distinguishes itself by not being a direct critique of capitalism, which works in its favor.
The best film, running at a concise 100 minutes, maintains a likable ensemble cast that skillfully holds together the script by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo. Gillespie, known for directing "I, Tonya," achieves a nice rhythm without succumbing to the hyperactive style often seen in films attempting the McKay approach. In essence, "Dumb Money" serves as a straightforward and enjoyable comedy, reminding viewers that even when they think they understand the game, the opponent might be playing by a different set of rules.
Dumb Money Movie Review
In "Dumb Money," Paul Dano takes on the role of Keith Gill, also known as Roaring Kitty, a previously unknown figure on the Reddit channel wallstreetbets. Gill gained widespread attention when he orchestrated a short squeeze against GameStop. To simplify, major hedge funds typically profit from companies failing, essentially betting on their downfall and making money from job losses and financial ruin.
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Adapted from a book by Ben Mezrich, who also wrote "The Social Network," the film, written by Blum and Angelo, unfolds across a broad canvas. It portrays Gill in Boston, along with his wife Caroline (Shailene Woodley) and skeptical brother Kevin (Pete Davidson). The story also features various investors, such as nurse Jenny (America Ferrera), GameStop clerk Marcus (Anthony Ramos), and college students Harmony (Talia Ryder) and Riri (Myha’la Herrold). On the opposing side, Seth Rogen embodies the spoiled idiocy of Gabe Plotkin, Vincent D’Onofrio portrays the eccentric Steve Cohen, Sebastian Stan navigates through the Robinhood head Vlad Tenev's story, and Nick Offerman brings the relatively vile Ken Griffin to cinematic life.
The cast in "Dumb Money" is fantastic, and director Gillespie skillfully guides them, preventing any over-the-top performances from stealing the spotlight. In these types of films, it's common for the various elements to not come together seamlessly, but that's not the case with "Dumb Money." Gillespie successfully weaves essential information and character moments, although a bit more of the latter would have been appreciated. Sometimes, the film falls short of providing insights into the unique dynamics that led to this significant financial shift.
While "Dumb Money" could have delved deeper into the underlying forces and the impact of the pandemic on the event, it wisely avoided delivering too many lectures on the evils of capitalism. There's a version of the film that might talk down to the audience or expect them to become heavily invested in the intricacies of retail trading culture. Thankfully, Gillespie sidesteps these pitfalls, keeping the film's mix of drama and comedy smooth without veering into melodrama.
The movie portrays what happens when regular people challenge the established institutions of society. While the hole they create may get plugged in temporarily, the film suggests that these individuals won't stop trying to make a difference. Despite some missed opportunities for deeper exploration, "Dumb Money" ultimately succeeds by avoiding preachiness and maintaining a fluid and engaging storytelling approach.