The Laundromat (2019)
October 19, 2019 3:48 AM - Subscribe
How do 15,000,000 millionaires in over 200 countries stay rich? Via Panama. Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas and Sharon Stone feature in this pertinant witty "fairytale that actually happened ... based on some real shit".
When her idyllic vacation takes an unthinkable turn, Ellen Martin begins investigating a fake insurance policy, only to find herself down a rabbit hole of questionable dealings that can be linked to a Panama City law firm and its vested interest in helping the world's wealthiest citizens amass larger fortunes.
With a protaganist like Streep playing Martin, you need the fire power of Oldman and Banderas as Mossack and Fonesca.
On Netflix and a lot of fun. Currently under suit from the real-life Mossack and Fonesca.
"Bad. Bad is such a big word for being such a small word."
When her idyllic vacation takes an unthinkable turn, Ellen Martin begins investigating a fake insurance policy, only to find herself down a rabbit hole of questionable dealings that can be linked to a Panama City law firm and its vested interest in helping the world's wealthiest citizens amass larger fortunes.
With a protaganist like Streep playing Martin, you need the fire power of Oldman and Banderas as Mossack and Fonesca.
On Netflix and a lot of fun. Currently under suit from the real-life Mossack and Fonesca.
"Bad. Bad is such a big word for being such a small word."
Enjoyed it a lot!
posted by growabrain at 10:07 AM on October 19, 2019
posted by growabrain at 10:07 AM on October 19, 2019
I just watched it this evening. Entertaining and, like The Big Short, brought a clarity to a subject I knew a little about but didn't quite understand. Streep, Oldman and Banderas are excellent.
posted by essexjan at 2:33 PM on October 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 2:33 PM on October 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
Very much enjoyed this, especially the stage-esque structure. Incredible cast.
This is indeed a fairy tale, but straddles between the more modern "happy ending" Disney style and of the old school "fairytales are meant to get kids used to the fact that the world is injust."
posted by porpoise at 7:46 PM on October 19, 2019
This is indeed a fairy tale, but straddles between the more modern "happy ending" Disney style and of the old school "fairytales are meant to get kids used to the fact that the world is injust."
posted by porpoise at 7:46 PM on October 19, 2019
There's a.. glibness I suppose, to it, that I didn't like.
posted by Dumsnill at 8:28 PM on October 19, 2019
posted by Dumsnill at 8:28 PM on October 19, 2019
I like that word, glibness, and that's what I particularly enjoyed - the ratfuckers out there think it's just a game and they either lack empathy as a character flaw or that the money buys a salve to any inconveniences that empathy creates.
Ramón Fonseca (Banderas) explicitly calls this out - working against injustice is hard, making money by helping those that create the injustices is a lot easier, and pays better.
posted by porpoise at 9:50 PM on October 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
Ramón Fonseca (Banderas) explicitly calls this out - working against injustice is hard, making money by helping those that create the injustices is a lot easier, and pays better.
posted by porpoise at 9:50 PM on October 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
Well acted and shot, but it didn’t really have anything to say that wasn’t in Moneyland (the book I recommend to anyone interested in this stuff.) I feel like this was lighter on detail than The Big Short, too.
posted by tautological at 10:06 PM on October 19, 2019
posted by tautological at 10:06 PM on October 19, 2019
Streep is perfection, for ever and ever, always, perfection.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:36 AM on October 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:36 AM on October 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
If someone told me that Gary Oldman was doing A Lot in this movie, I would have still been surprised by how much.
Mossack Fonseca tried to get the movie stopped before release.
posted by grandiloquiet at 9:48 AM on November 3, 2019
Mossack Fonseca tried to get the movie stopped before release.
posted by grandiloquiet at 9:48 AM on November 3, 2019
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posted by Thella at 3:49 AM on October 19, 2019