"Money Monster" Teaches You TV Production

Release Date：May/13/2016
Genre：Crime/Drama/Thriller

Director：Jodie Foster

Cast：Julia Roberts、George Clooney、Jack O'Connell

Viola's Rating： 6.2

As if he’s following Matt Damon’s path, after being kidnapped as a movie star in “Hail, Caesar!”, the life of George Clooney’s character is threatened to be taken away once again in “Money Monster”, directed by Oscar winning actress Jodie Foster.

Financial TV host Lee Gates (George Clooney) and his director/producer Patty (Julia Roberts) are put in an extreme situation when a furious investor takes over their studio.

This crime-oriented dramatic thriller seems to be related to finance, which reminds the audience about the Oscar winning feature film “The Big Short”. However, instead of providing financial knowledge, “Money Monster” teaches moviegoers more about TV production. 

There are three major professional video production forms: EFP (Electronic Field Production), ENG (Electronic News Gathering) and Studio Production. In “Money Monster”, the audience gets the concept of how a TV show is made and the differences between these three productions.

With two Oscar winning actor and actress as leading roles, even though most parts of “Money Monster” take place in the studio, the tension and thrill of the storyline build up. After Gates and the perpetrator leave the studio, it becomes an ENG production, and EFP, which is mostly used in sports broadcast and requires more preparation, is also shown in the flick.

Because of the above-mentioned presentation, besides the extreme hostage situation, “Money Monster” clearly shows how time is precious for different kinds of TV production.

For those who wish to learn something about finance from the motion picture, unfortunately, unlike “The Big Short”, “Money Monster” not only isn’t educational on this topic, but doesn’t touch it at all. Of course the plot and the reason triggered the crime are related to money and stock, but it’s not necessary. 

While being adrenaline-filled and exciting, “Money Monster” tries to be humorous by adding comical dialogues which distract moviegoers a little bit and ruin the suspense and thrill at the time. Also, having Clooney dance for the opening of the show “Money Monster” with the graphics, music and outfit which appear to be old-fashioned gives an overall feel that the show is set in 90’s era.

Although it’s entertaining, being a movie starring A-list casts, “Money Monster” doesn’t make the best use of its stars’ acting skills, and loses the chance to become meaningful by educating the audience about investing and communication ethics of specialty announcing, especially financial reporting. All in all, it’s definitely an enjoyable picture, but don’t expect too much.