Dumb Money – Film Review

The incredible events surrounding the GameStop short squeeze in January 2021, as detailed in Ben Mezrich’s book “The Antisocial Network,” are the subject of Craig Gillespie‘s film Dumb Money. As it brings to life the true story of a group of unconventional investors from the Reddit page r/WallStreetBets, this movie promises to be a wild and entertaining ride. Dumb Money has attracted a lot of attention since it was first revealed, and mostly for the right reasons.

The brothers Gill, Keith (Paul Dano) and Kevin (Pete Davidson), who emerge as the leaders of the r/WallStreetBets movement to pressure hedge funds that had heavily shorted GameStop’s stock, are the focus of the film. Keith Gill is compellingly portrayed by Paul Dano, who perfectly captures the character’s eccentricities and unwavering resolve to take on Wall Street. In order to provide comic relief amidst the financial chaos, Pete Davidson plays the role of Kevin with his trademark charm and humor.

The menacing portrayal of Steve Cohen, a hedge fund manager, by Vincent D’Onofrio captures the brutal nature of high finance. America Ferrera gives a strong performance as Jennifer Campbell, a YouTube subscriber to Keith’s channel who plays a key role in the movement. As the multibillionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin, Nick Offerman personifies the avarice and power of Wall Street.

The ensemble cast is a mixed bag. As fellow r/WallStreetBets members who join the cause, Anthony Ramos and Sebastian Stan stand out because they bring authenticity to their roles. Seth Rogen and Shailene Woodley, however, believe that their respective characters haven’t been given enough room to grow. Talia Ryder and Dane DeHaan give respectable performances, but their characters are flat.

The film excels at capturing the internet-fueled frenzy that engulfed GameStop’s stock. The chaotic, meme-fueled atmosphere of r/WallStreetBets is skillfully captured by Craig Gillespie, demonstrating the power of social media in democratizing finance. The film’s use of YouTube videos and Reddit threads as storytelling tools sheds light on the distinctive culture that gave rise to the GameStop saga.

The editing and cinematography in Dumb Money help everything move along at a fast tempo. The audience is drawn into the world of online investing by the frantic trading scenes and thrilling stock price fluctuations. The soundtrack, which combines classic rock and contemporary hits, enhances the mood of the movie and keeps viewers interested.

The screenplay, which was written by a group of authors, is sharp and witty, delivering clever dialogue and amusing one-liners. More thorough character development, especially for the main characters like Keith Gill and Jennifer Campbell, would have improved the film’s pacing. Their reasons for doing it and personal histories are briefly mentioned but not really explored.

But Dumb Money falls short when it tries to strike a balance between drama and humor. It struggles to keep a consistent tone even though it excels at delivering comedic moments, particularly through Pete Davidson’s character. The film’s lighthearted tone occasionally runs counter to the serious implications of the GameStop saga, including the real-world financial consequences for many. Some viewers might be perplexed by this inconsistency and not know whether to laugh or think.

In addition, the film strays from the book’s factual narrative by inventing new characters and events. Although artistic license is common in adaptations, these deviations might cause viewers to doubt the veracity of some crucial parts of the plot.

Additionally, the film avoids delving into the bigger socioeconomic issues brought up by the GameStop saga. Although it makes passing references to the wealth gap and Wall Street’s dubious practices, it is not comprehensive enough to offer a thoughtful analysis. Instead, it chooses to explore the events only briefly.

Despite these flaws, Dumb Money is a fun and timely examination of one of the most significant financial events of the twenty-first century. It effectively encapsulates the r/WallStreetBets community’s spirit and their bold attempt to upend conventional finance. It may not provide the in-depth analysis that some viewers desire, but it does provide an approachable and interesting introduction to the GameStop saga.

Dumb Money, directed by Craig Gillespie and based on the book by Ben Mezrich, offers a fun and eye-catching account of the GameStop short squeeze. It gains from Paul Dano’s powerful lead performance and the energizing momentum of the internet-driven investing movement. However, it falls short of being a truly exceptional film due to its uneven tone, underdeveloped characters, and shallow exploration of the bigger issues. Although it’s a wild ride worth taking, it could be better.