Dumb Money (film, 2023)
The film "Dumb Money" delves into the notion that money rules the world, and Wall Street wields its power. However, when ordinary people decided to take on global stock markets, the tables turned. Gamers, TikTokers, homemakers, and small investors began buying shares, causing upheaval on Wall Street and making substantial profits in the process.
Set during the pandemic, everyone is grappling with their own challenges, from loss of loved ones to unemployment and financial strain. GameStop, a video game retailer, is facing dire straits as digital downloads overshadow physical sales. As GameStop's stock plummets, purchasing shares seems nonsensical to many, but not to Keith Gill, known as "Roaring Kitty" – an ordinary guy in a quirky cat-themed shirt who hosts a stock market stream. He manages to create a butterfly effect, causing GameStop's shares to soar, leading to profits for ordinary people and losses for Wall Street sharks.
Real-life stories often come with inconsistencies and unanswered questions. How does the pandemic relate to market manipulation on Wall Street? How are all these characters connected? What happened to the protagonist? The answers remain elusive; things just happened to unfold that way. Moreover, any underdog story – where a loser triumphs against odds and powerful adversaries, dating back to David and Goliath – often results from survivorship bias. We don't hear about those who invested in cheap stocks and lost everything; instead, we follow the story of a guy who invested in cheap stocks and convinced others to make them valuable.
Explaining the technical intricacies of stock trading can be tedious. Even when characters explain shorts and squeezes to each other (and to us, the audience), we're not just watching stock prices; we're witnessing the stories of ordinary people – nurses, couriers, students – who grew tired of losing. Eventually, they decide to take a risk, starting with what little they have left and later with newfound wealth. It's a compelling narrative about trust, anger, social injustice, and the small hope that there might be a celebration on your street at least once in your life.
Paul Dano delivers a standout performance, portraying a believable nerd-turned-leader who, despite his shyness, becomes a symbol of resistance – akin to a nonviolent Joker, wielding persistence and belief in principles as weapons. The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Clancy Brown, Sebastian Stan, and Dane DeHaan, who shine even in minor roles. Together, they create a surreal yet realistic vaudeville amidst medical masks, Zoom conferences, and dwindling hopes – depicting how loners united and spoke up. In the end, we're all roaring kittens in some way. And if no one hears our roar yet, it doesn't mean we're silent.