Director: Ridley Scott
Screenplay: David Scarpa, based on the book Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty by John Pearson
Starring: Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Plummer, Romain Duris, Timothy Hutton
Running Time: 133 minutes
Genre: Crime, thriller, drama
Rome, 1973, John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer), known as Paul, is kidnapped. Paul is the grandson of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer), at the time the world's richest private citizen, and his kidnappers demand a ransom of $17 million dollars (which is a sum that Getty Senior could easily afford). However he refuses to pay, despite the pleas of Paul's mother, Gail (Williams). Under intense media scrutiny, it falls to Gail to attempt to negotiate with both the kidnappers and Getty for Paul's release, with the help of ex-CIA operator Fletcher Chace (Wahlberg).
Based on a true story, this is a gripping thriller, which was overshadowed somewhat by behind the scenes drama. J. Paul Getty was originally played by Kevin Spacey, however when allegations of sexual assault were made against Spacey, he was replaced at the last minute by Christopher Plummer, who does a fantastic job, considering he was cast and his scenes were shot within a month. As Getty, Plummer moves from avuncular geniality to cold-blooded ruthlessness, and it is to his credit that he finds a sense of humanity and sympathy to someone who would otherwise be a complete bastard. He is someone who would pay millions for a painting, but won't pay to get his laundry done. The film is dominated, though, by Michelle Williams, who turns in a fantastic performance as Gail Getty, who provides real dramatic and emotional heft. She is someone who is linked to the most powerful man in the world, but has to fight for her own power.
While not Ridley Scott's best work, it is a stylish and well made thriller telling a very interesting story.
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