Starring: Christopher Plummer, Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Romain Duris, Charlie Plummer, Andrew Buchan
Director: Ridley Scott
Release date: 5th January 2018
The year is 1973 and in Rome, a 16 year old Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) is kidnapped and held for ransom in a remote and disused building. We go back in time to 1948 to meet his grandfather, J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer), who begins making his immense and vast fortune by drilling for oil in the Saudi desert.
It’s now July ’73 and Paul is still captive. His mother, Gail (Michelle Williams) is worried sick and begs JP Getty to pay the ransom for his grandson’s safe return. He flatly refuses. He then calls one of his employees, Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg), an ex-CIA operative who handles his security and tells him to go to Rome and do whatever he needs to do to find Paul. Soon they get a call to say that a body has been found, horribly burnt. Chase and Gail go to identify the body. What will they find when they get there and how will this terrible tale end?
Based on actual events and a 1995 book called “Painfully Rich: The outrageous fortunes and misfortunes of the heirs of J. Paul Getty” by the author John Pearson, ‘All The Money In The World’ tells of the kidnapping of the grandson of the richest man in the world, John Paul Getty and the ensuing media circus that surrounded it.
There’s been a lot of talk surrounding this movie after all the speculation in the media about its’ original lead actor, Kevin Spacey. After all the hype, the decision was made to do a late re-shoot with a new lead, in the shape of Christopher Plummer. I’m guessing that it wasn’t a decision that was made lightly but I did hear that Christopher Plummer was the original choice for the role anyway. Much as I do love Kevin Spacey’s work, I do believe that portraying J. Paul Getty was a role that Christopher Plummer was meant for. He more than capably fills the part. I also genuinely think that there could be an Oscar nomination for him after this movie.
You always know what you’re getting with a Ridley Scott directed movie… his past directorial work includes; the Alien movies, American Gangster, Hannibal, Thelma & Louise, Blade Runner and loads of others. The fact that his name is on this movie should give you no excuse not to see it. The acting cast is also pretty superb. Michelle Williams seems to be going from strength to strength with her acting roles, though her accent in this did make me wince a few times. The biggest shout out though goes to the Legend that is Christopher Plummer. Actors of his calibre are few and far between these days. I remember seeing him in ‘The Sound Of Music’ at a very young age and he was the whole package; could sing, great actor, and had those movie star looks. The movie is still one of my favourites to this very day.
If you’re looking for a good solid story with a great cast and director then give ‘All The Money In The World’ a watch. It’s definitely not a popcorn-fest of a film but it gives you a glimpse into a world that very few saw at the time.
Overall: 8/10
