ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD

Gail Harris Getty (Michelle Williams) waits for father-in-law, J P Getty.

ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

I understand why Kevin Spacey needed to be replaced. Director, Ridley Scott, needed a J P Getty, with whom the audience could be sympathetic.

Christopher Plummer, as J P Getty, fulfills the role of the American success icon, and his daughter-in-law, Gail Harris Getty (Michelle Williams,), walks a very fine line between the good mother and the gold digger.

Contrary to what the ending of this film leads the audience to believe, Gail Getty, married to one of Getty’s sons, John Paul Getty, II, does not end up controlling any of the inheritance money, at all.

Getty’s trust was overseen by his sons, Gordon and Ronald.

This is a pretty heavy-handed departure from the truth, which I suppose can be summed up as an accusation.

In the film, Gail is the one who suggests to her husband that they contact his father for financial help.

And, Gail is the one who contacts Getty for the 17 million in ransom money, to release her son, John Paul Getty III.

J P Getty died just three years after this kidnap incident. It pretty much took its toll on him and his status as an American icon.

After Gail’s son’s ear was cut off, after her son is freed, and after her son has a drug and alcohol stroke (not depicted in the film), Gail is also the one who requests funds to take care of him for the rest of his life.

Gail’s husband, John Paul Getty II, becomes an addict and divorces her for another woman, her son gets kidnapped, and then, her son becomes wheelchair bound, blind, quadriplegic, and unable to speak.

These events do not earn Gail Harris Getty any motherhood awards.

I do not believe that any of this was J P Getty’s fault.

J P Getty’s greatest crime was to be so focused on his career that he became the richest man in the world at that time, putting family and relationships, second.

If being married five times is a crime, he was guilty of that, as well.

Unconditional love was not a J P Getty strength. This imbalance in his life is what caused him a lot of strife and money.

“All the Money in the World,” written by David Scarpa, based on John Pearson’s 1995 book Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty,” is well worth the price of admission.

 

J P Getty Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Paul_Getty

 

J P Getty Jr. Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Getty_Jr.

 

True story:

http://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a9173861/john-paul-getty-kidnapping/

 

Getty Family:

http://www.tatler.com/gallery/meet-the-getty-family-andrew-getty-history-fortune-getty-images

SYND 18-7-73 ABIGAIL HARRIS TALKS ABOUT THE KIDNAP OF HER SON

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdBDlBODjhw

What happened to John Paul Getty III?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eljSzWsaUIw

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca3ODhI7dW8

 

The Real Story of “All the Money in the World” by Ridley Scott

http://www.rebelcircus.com/blog/the-real-story-of-all-the-money-in-the-world/

 

Getty leaves bulk of fortune to son Mark

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1446836/Getty-leaves-bulk-of-fortune-to-son-Mark.html

 

How Mark Getty grew from the child seen in ‘All the Money in the World’ to be one of Britain’s richest men

 

https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/mark-getty-all-the-money-in-the-world/

 

Court Refuses to Alter Inheritance Left by J. Paul Getty to Eldest Son

http://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-14/local/me-3291_1_j-paul-getty

How to Be Rich by J. Paul Getty

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/616693.How_to_Be_Rich

J Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer), I died on 6 June 1976, sitting in his favorite armchair at Sutton Place.

Charlie Plummer as J Paul Getty III.

2/4/2018 # All The Money in The World

NINE LIVES

Nine Lives Rebecca and Mr Fuzzypants

Rebecca (Malma Weissman) shares her feelings with Mr Fuzzypants (Kevin Spacey)

NINE LIVES

By Marlene Ardoin

Jennifer Garner is luminous in “Nine Lives.” She is so wise and tender.  The noble theme is not to become so busy in life that you do not have time to enjoy the beauty in your life. And, that beauty is not another tall building designed by business tycoon, Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey).

Beauty is represented everywhere in this film. Tom’s beautiful wife, Lara (Jennifer Garner), his daugher, Rebecca (Malma Weissman), Rebecca’s birthday cake (spectacular!!) when she turns eleven, and Tom as a cat, himself.  He is magnificent in that form.

Tom’s transformation occurs shortly after stopping by Felix Perkin’s (Christopher Walken) pet shop to pick out a cat, Mr Fuzzypants, for his daughter’s birthday.  For maybe the first time, he is forced to become a part of his own family.  

He also has a wonderful son, David Brand (Robbie Amell) from his first marriage, who is trying his best to make his father proud of him. David goes to heart-wrenching great lengths to do this.

This film has beautiful characters, Jennifer Garner and Christopher Walken as the cat whisperer stand out for me. There is also a lot of go-for-the-crotch slap stick in this, but overall, I came away feeling glad that I saw this film.  

8/28/16 # Nine Lives