Gold review: Matthew McConaughey always believes in his soul in this fun and snappy tale.
Gold review by Luke Ryan Baldock, January 2017.
Gold review
Is there really room in cinema right now for the tale of a white man chasing down gold? Given the current economic climate and politics, any film that involves gold mining, corruption, the stock exchange, and living to excess runs the risk of rubbing the average viewer up the wrong way. Thankfully Gold puts hot property Matthew McConaughey in the lead as surprisingly relatable Kenny Wells.
Down on his luck and down on his cash, Kenny Wells is looking for his one big strike, having come very close to running his father’s business into the ground. Now operating from a bar where his wife Kay (Bryce Dallas Howard) works as a waitress, Wells takes one final stab at success by appealing to the ego of geologist Michael Acosta (Edgar Ramirez). Like Wells, Acosta has also been sidelined by those in his profession, refusing to believe his recommendations on where to find gold. Together Wells and Acosta stumble across a huge find, but soon find themselves battling against big corporations, unscrupulous investors, political instability, and their own egos.
Gold review
Front and centre is McConaughey’s wonderfully likeable performance. Despite a wealth of weight gain and make-up to distance himself from his heartthrob persona, McConaughey’s affable nature shines through. Wells may be a sweaty, balding, pot-bellied, man with a big ego and bad teeth, but his enthusiasm and drive is infectious. It gives every scene energy, speed, and even moments of comedy. And we also see him as a kidner than usual business man, especially when he gives jobs to his loyal workers and even to those who laughed at him to begin with. Backing up McConaughey is Ramirez, who is far more restrained, but whose quiet demeanour adds great juxtaposition for the bromance that develops.
Less striking is the general construction of Gold and its sometimes confusing editing. The film starts with narration, nothing wrong there, but it is revealed much later, that more than just a voice-over, this is Wells giving a statement to the FBI. It’s a confusing place for the scene and is echoed throughout as director Stephen Gaghan, in his first role as director since 2005’s Syriana, struggles to piece the parts together to create both a character driven drama, and an exciting corporate thriller.
Gold review
Certainly echoing parts of Goodfellas and Wolf of Wall Street, including a phenomenally well chosen soundtrack, Gold, despite its title, is a grimier and less polished affair. The central theme of following your dreams is at least explored well, with Wells’ ego and convictions sometimes being admirable and sometimes being a hindrance. Like the characters themselves, the film isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty and avoid perfection, but will also leave many at arms length.
Gold review by Luke Ryan Baldock, January 2016.
Gold is released in UK cinemas on February 3rd.
