Greed

GREED - SONY PICTURES

Marking the seventh collaboration between director, Michael Winterbottom and acting muse, Steve Coogan, Greed presents itself as a tonally imbalanced comedic drama. The film builds itself up as the former only to turncoat into the latter drastically for a The Big Short lite creation.

Greed is not completely hapless, however. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When the comedy and drama works, it is effective and engaging. However, Winterbottom cannot quite find a decent balance between the two with his somewhat ineffective tone put in place. The films first two acts are an all-out comedic venture, nothing more and nothing less. Coogan, in his casual best, gives a terrific performance as slimy billionaire, Richard McCreadie. His comedic notoriety, without a doubt, shines through.

Coogan's indulgence in the arsehole of man works wonders and his dialogue is delivered with brilliant infectious venom. The chemistry between Cooganand his co-stars is also terrific. Specifically, with Isla Fisher who possesses outstanding acting talent. She is undeniably the standout star,not onlybecause of her comedic sensibility, but also because of the nuances of layers she provides.The actress manages to pull this all to the forefrontof a screenplay that is not quite interested in crafting such weight or depth.

Rinse and repeat in a farcical nature only for Winterbottom to drastically decide to implement a more profound and dramatic angle in the film’s third act. Comments on slave labour, industry fraud and tax evasion abruptly take centre stage. All these profound themes are undeniably effective. They are a conscious detail which opens up an extensive conversation with regards to their respective traumas and the lives they ultimately destroy. This being said, the biggest problem here is the abrupt nature of where they come from. 

Granted, the film does not shy away from showing the grittiness and brutality of corporate greed. There is a viciousness within the film. Sequences of Coogan’s character in his youth provide providesmall glimpses of this; comedic prowess always surrounds these very moments, almost as a cushion to soften the blow. The audience is bombarded for ninety minutes with ironic and unironic comedic perceptivity, only for the film to turn itself into what feels like a left-field vanity project., Perhaps worse, it becomes a last-minuteditch decision to try and remind the audience that money is bad. It implements, possibly, the strangest sentiment.

Greed is released February 21st 2020