Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Paul Dano, Sebastian Stan and Seth Rogen
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved a fan following as huge as Sebastian Stan. Since his rise toward stardom in the 2000s, Stan has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s renowned political figures, grim gangsters or traumatized war soldiers, Stan has played many interesting characters. Arguably, Stan’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his bravery. He is one of those actors that has never been afraid of taking on risky roles playing characters that aren’t likeable. An actor with bold commitment to his craft, Stan has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Through his capabilities to play characters that are compelling, Stan has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is arguably best known for his role as the winter soldier in Marvel, Stan has claimed that he can excel in practically every genre. Throughout his lasting career, Stan has created several unforgettable movies which are definitely without any doubts worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Stan and adore all the films he has created in his career. However, “Dumb Money” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2023, Craig Gillepsie’s movie offered a strong portrait of financial crises causing adversities. Packed with breathtaking action, spellbinding storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best financial films ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Sebastian Stan, who embodies a businessman engaging in a terrifying financial crisis. Ultimately, what makes “Dumb Money” a masterpiece is strong appeal. Unlike most financial movies, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. An intense masterpiece about financial crises, there are countless strong reasons why “Dumb Money” is a commemorated film that is worth seeing.
Set in the New York financial district, “Dumb Money” tells a story of a blogger that makes deals involving money. Paul Dano plays Keith Gill, an ambitious blogger with the dreams of making money he seeks to fulfill. Keith always has had a talent for getting away with stealing money without facing a price to pay. However, Keith’s life forever changes when he sinks all of his savings into game stock causing disaster. As he becomes centre of social media, Keith is enthused by the idea of becoming a celebrity in the modern era. What initially seems to be an opportunity to be famous soon turns out to be dangerous. Targeted by cruel businessmen (Sebastian Stan) that he has deceived, Keith questions whether a goal of financial success can be achieved. Faced with a limited supply of money, Keith questions his devotion toward professions facing adversity.
Craig Gillespie is fascinated with the themes of competition. An excellent filmmaker, Gillepsie has often made engaging films about negative consequences of competition. His iconic movie “I, Tonya” captured life of a famous ice skating champion facing competitions which cause a grim dilemma. With “Dumb Money”, however, Gillespie made his first ever financial drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of dumb financial investors experiencing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Gillepsie captures a blogger embarking on a journey to seize full control over money. Emulating Adam McKay’s “The Big Short”, Gillepsie successfully utilizes montages to capture the hardships financial investors in a crisis are enduring. For instance, montages enhance the financial crisis scene. During this unforgettable scene, Keith faces a tough crisis when he discovers he has lost his money. Using montages, Gillepsie constructs a portrait of finance that’s compelling. Montages are complex techniques. As Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” suggested, montages enhance sci-fi movies about survival. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Gillepsie captures tensions that financial investors are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Dumb Money” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Gillepsie expertly uses costumes to capture tensions which financial investors are facing. For instance, the costumes elevate the financial fraud scene. During this memorable scene, Keith faces stress when he discovers he has become a victim of financial fraud causing tragedy. Through stunning costumes, Gillepsie creates a strong portrait of financial fraud that is engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Will Bates’ music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the excruciating burden investors bear. Using bold production, Gillepsie captures financial investors enduring tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Dumb Money” is a financial movie which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses tragicomedy to capture financial investors enduring adversities. The movie deftly switches back and forth among the moments of humour and seriousness. At times, the movie is funny especially in scenes when Keith discovers the harsh realities of the financial world. However, the film is also at the same time serious in its depictions of financial fraud. Through this strong balance of comedy with tragedy, Gillepsie creates a portrait of the financial crisis that’s compelling. Tragicomedy is a tricky technique to use in films. As Steven Soderbergh’s “Logan Lucky” claimed clearly, tragicomedy enhances heist movies. However, it works immensely. Using a clever screenplay, Gillepsie captures financial investors facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Sebastian Stan delivers one of his best career performances as Vlad Tenev. Stan achieved appreciation for portraying Bucky in Marvel’s films. With “Dumb Money”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a financial investor that abuses money but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Stan has excelled portraying characters under pressure, and “Dumb Money” showcased his strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the anxiety, charisma and trauma of a commemorated financial investor facing tension. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Sebastian Stan, the supporting cast is also amazing. Paul Dano is dazzling, capturing the sorrow of a financial investor that loses money causing a life to hit a low. Shailene Woodley is spectacular, capturing the feisty personality of a woman that has tendency to abuse financial authority. Lastly, Seth Rogen merits praise. As a financial investor, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Dumb Money” would earn recognition of everyone for capturing financial investors facing adversity. Unlike most movies about financial concepts, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including finance, teamwork and the consequences of decisions that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to entirely be familiar with financial concepts to adore it. Therefore, “Dumb Money” is one of those rare commemorated financial movies that everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of Sebastian Stan would absolutely enjoy “Dumb Money” and so would movie-goers that seek educational entertainment. A captivating financial crisis drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly two years following the release of a financial film about investors that misuse money facing adversity, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which audiences have always loved dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 