Review: 'Dumb Money' is all sass and mass never 'dumb'ing it down with the short squeeze anomaly

Dumb Money

If you're unaware of THAT GameStop rush involving Keith Gill vs three people and a few others who were dumbfounded and lost billions in the stock market, I don't blame you. The fact that it's a true story makes it even crazier and boggling. How one man and his incessant determination to stay with that one stock of a company that is suffering imaginable losses otherwise led to common people earning thousands and millions as well - was unprecedented. It's the rare rich-got-screwed and normal-people-won story that changed financial history, and Dumb Money shows that saga with a unique, fun and rather savage take. Having had the chance to see the film, here's what I thought about it-

Bold, Brazen & Brave

From the get-go, it's made sure that you understand the tone of this film. With innumerable 'f*ks', shock value at its maximum and a trail that sets all characters introduced in one scene - it's such a masterful way to get you invested instantly. Add to that, done absolutely epic and sassy rap songs playing in the background for pivotal scenes; it gets even more bananas. The bravura and determination that Gill, aka DeepF*kingValue, aka Roaring Kitty, had is unparalleled, to say the least.

The Terminologies, Jargons & Understanding

When films on such topics are made, it's easy to dumb it down way too much or go overly intellectual with the approach - both cases being extremes that don't connect. The blend of music, young lingo, and incredible use of social media as a tool that makes you feel relatable, along with the financial jargon and terminologies that spit facts and are actually true, just make it a fantastic marriage for the viewers to enjoy. Director Craig Gillespie is very particular about it, and it shows.

Talking millions, billions with hedge funds, shorting and the stock buyback and selling never seemed this fun and interesting, isn't it? Yeah, you can let me know once you see it.

The Performances

Some of the finest actors have been assembled to play some of the most fascinating characters. And to no surprise, each one of them is brilliant. Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, America Ferrera, Pere Davidson, and others who form the ensemble cast are so spot-on on anything and everything they're feeling and going through. 

Of course, at the helm of it all is the continuing-to-be criminally underrated Paul Dano. He brings in a sense of innocence, earnestness and just the sheer grit that Gill would have possibly had. The spot-on hairstyle and a tiny-bit resemblance with the real Keith Gill also helped. These are fine actors doing their best.

The Verdict

The wordplay with 'dumb money' and why was it called that in the first place assisted with an extraordinary real story portrayed in the most fun way you can imagine, makes the film Dumb Money one that cannot be missed. Make sure to wait till the end credits begin rolling as you will get to not only enjoy some facts of the real story but also see the real faces behind whom these characters are created.

Rating - **** (4/5)