CRYPTO

US, 2019, 104 minutes, Colour.

Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth, Jill Hennessey, Alexis Bledel, Kurt Russell, Vincent Kartheiser, Malay Rivera Drew, Jeremie Harris.

Directed by John Stalberg Jr.

Cryptocurrency was a popular theme for exploration in the late 2010s. And, with a focus on Bitcoin, this continues.

However, while this film does explore aspects of cryptocurrencies, is also a film about money-laundering, the involvement of banks, personal integrity of those responsible for keeping accounts and investigations, links with Russian gangsters and consequent violence.

Beau Knapp plays the central character. He is not the most charismatic of actors which undermines the impact of the drama – although, his presence and portrayal are probably accurate in depicting this kind of bank official. Luke Hemsworth plays his brother with PTSD and Kurt Russell is their rough father, an independent and stubborn farmer.

1. The title? The status of cryptocurrency? Bitcoin? By the end of the 2010s? Subsequently? For financial dealings? For criminal use? Money-laundering?
2. New York, business offices? The contrast with small towns, banks, art galleries, shops? Farms and spreads? The musical score?
3. Martin, age, leaving home, relationship with his father, memories of his dead mother, his brother serving overseas, PTSD? Work on the bank, with Robin, the investigations, the presentation to the board? His being transferred? Robin’s support? Going to the local bank, not popular, his status in the town? His friendship with Will, going to the shop, Earl and his revelation of his technology, investigating the cryptocurrencies? His discoveries?
4. Martin, his investigations, the assistant at work, going to the Gallery, the encounter with Katie, meeting Penelope, her seductive dress and style? Going to see Janice, her subsequent death? Ted Patterson, his relationship with Penelope? With the Gallery? His meeting with Martin, the threats?
5. Life in the town, the bar, the antagonisms, Caleb and his confrontation with his brother? Martin going to the farm, to meet his father, the millions dollar offer and the refusal, the reasons? The invitation to work? Martin finally going to work with his father and brother?
6. Uncovering further plots and schemes, documentation, technology? Earl, talking, drinking, the confrontation in the store, the Russian name? His further investigations, sending the computer and video? His death?
7. The atmosphere of the opening, Martin driving, his father, the computer stick? Resuming the sequence again, rescuing his father, Bo appearing with the gun, the contact with the police, the FBI, Katie member of the FBI? The rounding up of the criminals?
8. Martin returning to New York, presentation of the information to the board, the encounter with Robin – and her arrest?
9. 21^st-century financial drama – with cryptocurrencies?