All the Money in the World

Inspired by true events, All the Money in the World details the kidnapping of infamous industrialist J. Paul Getty’s (Christopher Plummer) grandson, John Paul Getty III, at the hands of several Italian criminals – with the narrative detailing Getty III’s mother’s (Michelle Williams’ Gail Harris) exhaustive efforts at getting her son back (without any real assistance from her notorious father-in-law). Filmmaker Ridley Scott, working from David Scarpa’s screenplay, does a solid job of wringing consistent suspense from the inherently stirring subject matter, with the movie, which contains a number of impressively surprising twists and turns, boasting a propulsive sense of momentum that’s heightened by compelling visuals and a series of better-than-average performances. It’s clear, in terms of the latter, that Plummer ultimately stands as the movie’s most valuable player, as the actor delivers a compelling and frequently spellbinding turn that elevates even the simplest of scenes – to such an extent that it becomes impossible not to wish his character played a more pivotal role in the proceedings. And although the movie’s runtime of 132 minutes contributes heavily to its distinctly erratic vibe, All the Money in the World‘s been sprinkled with an assortment of electrifying sequences that pave the way for an increasingly absorbing second half (ie the fate of Getty III becomes far more tense than one might’ve anticipated). The end result is a solid entry within Scott’s decidedly hit-and-miss body of work, with the film’s more-drama-than-thriller atmosphere certainly refreshing and an appreciatively appropriate match for the material.

*** out of ****