#TIFF23: “DUMB MONEY” REVIEW

By Mr. Will Wong

Based on the book THE ANTISOCIAL NETWORK by Ben Mezrich, Director Craig Gillespie (Cruella, I, Tonya) is back with DUMB MONEY, based on the true story of GameStop‘s unbelievable meteoric rise in share price during the Pandemic. This thanks to a Reddit page called r/WallStreetBets, leading a legion of novice investors to band together against two hedge fund giants banking on GameStop to short and disappear into the oblivion. This is a real David vs. Goliath battle that balances what’s at stake for everyone involved, yet at once is educational.

We meet Roaring Kitty/Keith Gill (Paul Dano), a charismatic internet personality who believes wholeheartedly in the potential of GameStop. Through his internet videos, he leads the charge propelling GameStop from just a few dollars a share to $400 a share at its peak, as his supporters and investors become further invested in this fight against those who hold power. An uproar results when trading on GameStop shares suddenly are halted. As allegations of insider trading surface, Gill finds himself in a fight for everything he has built and accomplished, with he and his opponents in high places likewise, ready to risk it all.

Dano is fantastic in Keith’s unwavering in his belief of what is right, even if this all seems a little crazy. He is very easy to root for and Gillespie reins the focus in on his true intention. It is never only about money, it is about winning the fight against the big guys who bank on bankrupting the little guys. Shailene Woodley as Keith‘s wife Caroline, also is a standout acting as his support when the tides begin to turn for the worse. Pete Davidson also delivers a memorable turn as Keith’s younger brother Kevin, navigating humorous and more tender moments well.

DUMB MONEY screens at TIFF ’23:

Friday, September 8
Roy Thomson Hall 5:45 PM
Premium

Sunday, September 10
Roy Thomson Hall 10:30 AM

#FIRSTLOOK: “DUMB MONEY” RED-BAND TRAILER

We love Craig Gillsepie. The Director of Cruella and of course I, Tonya is back with DUMB MONEY and here’s a new Red-Band Trailer!

Synopsis:

Dumb Money is the ultimate David vs. Goliath tale, based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (yes, the mall videogame store) into the world’s hottest company. In the middle of everything is regular guy Keith Gill (Paul Dano), who starts it all by sinking his life savings into the stock and posting about it. When his social posts start blowing up, so does his life and the lives of everyone following him. As a stock tip becomes a movement, everyone gets rich – until the billionaires fight back, and both sides find their worlds turned upside down.

Directed by Craig Gillespie
Starring: Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, and Seth Rogen.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)