Gold (2016)
(2016)Prove 'em all wrong.
Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan directs Matthew McConaughey as relentless gold prospector Kenny Wells in this drama stretching from the bar and boardroom to remote sites of gold reserves. Inspired by true events.... More
Based on the true story of the Bre-X Mineral Corporation mining scandal, Gold follows struggling hustler Kenny Wells and equally luckless geologist Michael Acosta (Edgar Ramírez) on their mission to find gold in the uncharted Indonesian jungle. Their subsequent success then sparks an adventure through the most powerful Wall Street boardrooms.Hide
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Directed by Stephen Gaghan ('Syriana', 'Abandon')
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Bryce Dallas Howard, Edgar Ramírez, Timothy Simons, Michael Landes, Stacy Keach, Rachael Taylor, Bruce Greenwood, Corey Stoll
Written by Patrick Massett, John Zinman
Out Now (On-Demand,
DVD or Blu-Ray)
Flicks Review
BY Matt Glasby Flicks Writer
Having received – excuse the pun – a bit of a panning elsewhere, Stephen Gaghan's lively rise-and-fall drama arrives on these shores as soiled goods.... More
Inspired by true events, it's the tale of one (made-up) man's obsessive search for gold. But the real story seems to be star Matthew McConaughey's elusive search for another Oscar.
With (real) gut and (fake) bald head, McConaughey plays Kenny Wells, a down-on-his-luck prospector who puts his faith in maverick geologist Mike Accosta (Edgar Ramirez). When the pair strike gold deep in the Indonesian jungle, Wells becomes a big shot on Wall Street. Chiefly this involves throwing whisky glasses at walls, montages and having sex in helicopters, but at least it’s never boring.
Full of the sort of speeches that make more impact than sense – “The last card you turn over is the only one that matters!" declares Wells, showing at best a rudimentary grasp of gambling – the script plays show and tell too many times, often not very well. "There’s no way I could possibly describe the feeling,” Wells offers. OK, but give it your best shot, mate.
To say that Gold is not completely successful as a film would be like saying McConaughey overacts a tiny bit. In fact, he seems to be channelling Jack Nicholson mid-panic attack. It's very entertaining, but his star power flattens the rest of the cast, including decent actors such as Bryce Dallas Howard, Toby Kebbell and Macon Blair. With 10 per cent less McConaughey and 10 per cent more everyone else, Gold, you feel, would be a much better investment.Hide
The Peoples' Reviews
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Gold (2016)
The Press Reviews
For those willing to take the characters at face value, it's a deliriously entertaining ride, as a man with a dream drops his last quarter in the slot machine and goes home with the entire casino. Full Review
[McConaughey's] intensity never flags. What's missing from this story of struggle and glory and the need to believe is a fever to match his. Full Review
Like the quintessential experience most treasure seekers have with a pan full of promising gravel: a lot of hopeful swirl, with little meaningful result. Full Review
"Gold" could have been a biting satire of greed and folly, a neo-Conradian tale of Western misadventure in Asia, a rousing fable of underdog triumph or a caper comedy. It tries, in its frantic, clumsy fashion, to be all of those things ... Full Review
Gold highlights the importance of character and story, and the simple fact that if you care enough about the character and are engaged in his or her journey, the movie can still work despite other problems. Full Review
McConaughey deep dives into his role as a mad-dog prospector like a starving man sitting down to a feast. As a movie, Gold is slim pickings. But McConaughey keeps you riveted. Full Review
We've been here many romps before, and one wishes that for once, someone would make a film on this subject without making the obligatory sharp turn into folksy, facile populism that Gold and its ilk inevitably do. Full Review
Sadly and inexplicably it misses the mark in almost every way. Full Review
The story is great, the presentation dull. Full Review
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