GOLD
US, 2016, 121 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Mc Conaughey, Edgar Ramirez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Bill Camp, Craig T.Nelson, Macon Blair, Rachel Taylor, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach.
Directed by Stephen Gaghan.
A very straightforward title. It means what it says – or perhaps not! Probably best not to know anything much about the plot to be ready for the ups and downs of the exploration for gold in Indonesia and the business consequences.
The film stars Matthew Mc Conaughey who has been called to lose weight for some roles and for others, putting on weight and keeping it. But that is character he plays, Kenny Wells, son of a wealthy businessman in Reno, Nevada, 1981, and determined to prove himself to his father.
His father’s company was for prospecting and that is what enthuses Kenny Wells and drives him to go into action. The screenplay also makes use of the, literal, American dream. Kenny wakes one morning, convinced that he has seen where he will discover gold. He also hears about a prospector-geologist, Michael Acosta, played by Edgar Ramirez, who has a theory about minerals in Southeast Asia. Kenny tracks him down in Jakarta, praises him for his theories, tempts him to start prospecting for gold in the interiors.
It should be said immediately that this is not Indonesia where the film was made – Thailand is standing in.
In their explorations, they find definite traces of gold – but Kenny succumbs to malaria, looked after by Michael who assures him, when he recovers, that they have probably hit the mother lode. While there are a number of sequences in Indonesia, moving backwards and forwards to the US, most of the action takes place in the American business world.
Kenny Wells is also one of those unstoppable enthusiasts, a salesman par excellence and he gets investment for his company. He is a smiler, a talker and an inveterate smoker and, eventually, an inveterate drinker. He has a very loyal working team around, supported by his girlfriend, Kay (Bryce Dallas Howard) who doesn’t quite understand his dreams, doesn’t quite believe in them but is willing to support them as long as she can.
As successful reports come in, Wall Street becomes interested, Kenny is enthusiastic, does drive a hard bargain but moves on to further success. But he is a stubborn man and is very wary of big business interests who seem to be willing to squeeze him out.
Just as you think the film is about to end, it doesn’t. And that is why it is better to know nothing before going in to see it.
The film announces that is based on a true story – which sometimes means ‘loosely based on’ and that is certainly the case here, worth Googling afterwards to find out what actually happened to Kenny Wells and to see what actual events have been incorporated and how the events and characters have been shaped for dramatic purposes, even the final minute!
2017 has meant that we look at America in a bit of a different way from what it might have been had not Donald Trump become president – This is a film which probably would interest him considerably, though he might have handled the situation differently (though looking back at the ups and downs of his career, perhaps not).
1. The title, true, false, the revelation of fraud?
2. The claim that it was based on actual events – how true, the Canadian background of the similar case, details invented, arrange for dramatic purpose, especially the ending?
3. The world of Reno, gambling, business, the world of the prospectors? The offices? The contrast with Wall Street, the Exchange, the world of the financiers?
4. Indonesia (using Thailand locations), Jakarta and the luxury hotel? The world of government, military, the Soehartos, the wealthy playboy son? The countryside, mountains and rivers, the mines and equipment? The musical score?
5. Matthew Mc Conaughey as Kenny Wells? Personality, appearance, weight, pot-bellied, smoking and drinking? His relationship with Kay, the gift of the watch – and later pawning it for his prospects? The interviews with his father, sharing the goals? The impact of his father’s death?
6. The years passing, his ambitions, establishing his company, the range of helpers and their loyalty, Kay and her working in the bar, the office in the bar?
7. Kenny as a huckster, his enthusiasm, causes? Studying prospects? Discovering Michael Acosta, interested in his achievements, his prospecting, the search for copper, his victories? His ideas about minerals in Southeast Asia? The visit to Jakarta, their talk, offering the money, Michael turning round and accepting? Kenny and his company in Reno and their raising the money? His discussions with the company and the young men turning him down – his later meeting with the owner, the friend of his father, admiring his father, and the possibility of a comeuppance for the young advisor? The work in the bar?
8. The expedition, and the countryside, Michael, his life, the collaboration? The local workers, striking? Kenny and his bout of malaria, over several months? Michael looking after him, waking up, the invitation, the lucky strike, the joy, the samples and their being tested, payment of the workers – later no money and their walking out?
9. Going back to the US, the excitement, taking Kay to the site for the house and his promises? The partners – warning them to put money aside? The New York financiers, calling him, the interviews, the boss, hesitations, his being able to sell them on the idea? The friend of his father, the enthusiasm, the company, the prospects, employing the young man who had turned him down? Michael and his visits to America?
10. The success, the Indonesian government? Money difficulties, Soeharto’s son, the interviews, persuading him?
11. Head financier, wanting to buy out Kenny, the meeting, Kenny and his petulance, his name being excluded, turning down the deal, Michael’s disappointment?
12. The award, the ceremony, his speech, Michael leaving?
13. Kenny and his drinking, flirting with the woman from the company, Kay’s reaction, her leaving?
14. The FBI arriving, the news of Michael’s fraud and disappearance, the taking of the millions? The finances in New York, the bosses and hiring and firing? The local dismay? Kenny to the truth, the FBI believing him?
15. Kenny, his failure, going back to Kay, the letters – and the shock of the cheque from Michael and his initial serviette with the contract?
16. A fable about going the gaining whole world and losing…?
