Christopher Plummer Carries 'All the Money in the World'

If nothing else, All the Money in the World is going to be known for one notable detail: its recasting of J. Paul Getty.  The film production was finished with Kevin Spacey as the original actor.  The trailers had him in it, and there was even an Academy Award campaign going on for Best Supporting Actor.  Then, with its release date just around the corner, he was exposed to be Hollywood’s biggest sexual predator this side of Harvey Weinstein.  Therefore, although the film is already very much ready for release, in order for it to sever its ties with him, the character is recast with Christopher Plummer (so it was him who got the opportunity to be nominated for an Oscar), who director Ridley Scott claimed was his original choice all along, but the studio wanted Spacey.  Reshoots were done in just ten days, and it successfully met its December 2017 release.

That’s quite impressive.

Anyway, the movie is a crime thriller based on real-life events involving oil tycoon J. Paul Getty (Plummer), who at one point was the richest man in the world, when his teenage grandson (Charlie Plummer, no relation to Christopher) is kidnapped in Italy.  Ever notoriously frugal, he refuses to give in to the kidnappers’ ransom demands, despite the desperate mother’s (Michelle Williams) imploring.  Meanwhile, Getty asks his adviser (Mark Wahlberg), a former CIA operative, to handle the investigation and negotiation.

Years ago, I read a biography on Getty (The Great Getty by Robert Lenzer), so I’m familiar of who Getty was and this particular event in his life.  However, I never thought, even a little, that this particular episode will actually amount to some compelling cinema.

The best thing about this movie is Christopher Plummer.  His role may be considered just “supporting” on this film, but he legitimately carries this film.  His star shines the brighter above whoever is/are technically the main star/s.  Yes, this movie is compelling, but a significant part of it is because of him.

What makes it more amazing is that Plummer’s participation in this film is only ten days’ worth of reshoots.  And yet this movie never feels like it had undergone recasting and swift reshoots.  It really flows smoothly, as if the role had been Plummer’s right from the start.  Kudos to the production administration, direction, editing, and whatever else is responsible for accomplishing this.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean the movie is justified for having a 133-minute runtime.  It has its moments, but it’s not exactly consistently interesting all throughout.  Once Plummer is not around, it occasionally loses its magnetism.

In the end, All the Money in the World, with how it manages to remain a well-crafted film despite its production issues, is a display of masterful filmmaking.  Still, down the line, I don’t think it will have any lasting place in film history consciousness.