DUMB MONEY: Stocks, Laughs and Unconventional Heroes

There is often an unspoken agreement when it comes to films that depict recent events, allowing us a period of reflection before seeing them on the big screen. However, Craig Gillespie‘s Dumb Money seems to have received a pass on this norm.

While the film doesn’t necessarily aim to remind us of the pandemic, it captures a nugget of real-life absurdity that lends itself well to cinematic storytelling. Dumb Money may not completely captivate its audience, but it manages to weave together elements of hilarity, excellent casting, and the extraordinary events surrounding the highs and lows of stock market turmoil, resulting in a uniquely transparent narrative.

Hitting New Heights

Many still recall the uproar when Keith Gill (Paul Dano) risked his entire life savings on Gamestop stocks. A trader by night, under the name, “Roaring Kitty,” Keith has amassed a small but dedicated following. He has a solid take on Gamestop stock and believes that they are being undervalued, both internally and financially.

With the unwavering support of his wife, Caroline (Shailene Woodley), Keith toils away in their basement, broadcasting his stock market endeavors to the online world. His actions inspire a wave of followers, turning the situation into a rallying cry that ultimately brings heavy hitters like Steve Cohen (Vincent D’Onofrio), Ken Griffin (Nick Offerman), and hedge fund manager Gabe Plotkin (Seth Rogen) to a standstill.

This story is often likened to the tale of David versus Goliath, and rightfully so. It showcases an almost unbelievable scenario that stems from sheer determination. As Keith’s intentions gain traction, his social media presence grows, and a group of followers emerges, including his brother Kevin (played by Pete Davidson) and others such as Riri (Myha’la), Jenny (America Ferrera), and Marcos (Anthony Ramos). These individuals, grappling with dire financial situations, invest everything they have (and don’t have) in hopes of cashing in on the opportunity.

Dumb Money is a film that features a talented ensemble of comedic actors engaging in mildly humorous antics. It doesn’t neatly fit into the comedy or drama genre but rather exists as a hybrid that spoon-feeds fragments of the actual events to its audience. However, where it succeeds, is in its immersive quality and cleverly delivered details. While the exceptional cast members aren’t as fully showcased as they could be, they still deliver noteworthy performances. The pacing of the film is generally swift, although it occasionally lacks consistency.

A Low Blow

Through various misdirections and fluxations, the group’s finances hit incredible highs but then plummeted to detrimental lows. Steering the ship, Keith remains committed to the endeavor, even as some, such as the CEO of Robin Hood Vlad Tenev (Sebastian Stan), shut down trades to accommodate the companies they were fighting. The script by (Lauren Schuker Blum, Rebecca Angelo, and Ben Mezrich) expertly captures the intensity of the situation while mixing in a witty commentary.

Dumb Money, like many other films this year, features a stellar ensemble. It’s a story meant for the big screen, an underdog tale of the most intriguing fashion.

Conclusion:

Benefitting from a strong cast (and an even wiser script) Dumb Money adds a touch of wit and wildness to the tired biographical drama format we’ve seen on screen before.

Dumb Money was released in theaters on September 15th 2023.