Synopsis:
self-made British billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie, whose retail empire is in crisis. For 30 years he has ruled the world of retail fashion – bringing the high street to the catwalk and the catwalk to the high street – but after a damaging public inquiry, his image is tarnished. To save his reputation, he decides to bounce back with a highly publicised and extravagant party celebrating his 60th birthday on the Greek island of Mykonos.
Have you ever watched a movie that had a character that represented so much negativity that all you wanted was to see him fail? Well, Greed is one of those movies and Sir Richard McCreadie is that kind of character. It’s a movie with a very important message, however, that message doesn’t shine through until the end. The storyline wants to show you the dark and ugly side of the fashion industry by way of one of its most cutthroat businessmen. An almost endearing come up story quickly turns into a story of cheap deals and an egregiously pompous attitude. Its message doesn’t simply show how greedy the industry is by how cheap they are getting clothes made and then selling them for a huge profit, but also the conditions in which sweatshop workers in foreign countries are demanded to work in.
Unfortunately, those aspects aren’t totally apparent until, as I mentioned before, you reach the tail-end of the movie. The film is said to be loosely based on billionaire businessman, Sir Phillip Green and makes mention of retail giants, H&M and Zara. As well as, the unveiling smart parts of celebrity life. Nevertheless, the movie is filled with humor, tons of drama, and a cycle of greed that may never stop. There’s, also some sabotage that made it all worth it. If you love watching the rise and fall of a detestable billionaire who makes seedy deals, billion-dollar business schemes, and doesn’t take any responsibility then this is the movie for you. Overall, it’s a decent watch. I found myself looking for the meaning of the movie and with it presenting its heart so late, it is better enjoyed after a second watch.
Plot & Pace
The film follows a journalist named Nick who is attempting to put together a video biography for the birthday party of the film’s focus, Sir Richard McCreadie. The party is McCreadie’s big plan to gain back his public reputation after going through a deposition for bad business practices. The pacing of the film is actually rather good. With it cutting back and forth between the past and the present, it does a very good job of giving an accurate depiction of its subject. At no moment was I bored, as there are many things going on. We see the party being planned, the rise of McCreadie, the deposition of McCreadie, a reality show, and the story of a lost mother all at the same time. It’s done in a way that is neither cluttered or confusing. McCreadie increasingly becomes more of an unlikeable person and the question becomes, will this party save him or will he fail into obscurity?
Characters & Chemistry
Steve Coogan as Sir Richard McCreadie is great in his role. He is both likable and unlikeable, but mostly the latter. He’s aggressive, fast-talking, and doesn’t care about anyone other than himself. The only people McCreadie has positive chemistry with are Samantha McCreadie (Isla Fisher) his ex-wife and Margaret McCreadie (Shirley Henderson) his mother. The type of chemistry with Samantha is hateful admiration. Their marriage didn’t work out but they are still attracted to each and show it by spouting insults at each other. Samantha fueled the fire of a younger Richard by introducing him to a world of money he hadn’t reached or been around. The rest of the characters are insulted and yelled at by Sir McCreadie making him feel so much more of a villain. The lighter side of the movie belongs to the journalist Nick (David Mitchell) and Amanda (Dinita Gohil) who works for Richard. Nick is a kind, meekish type of person while Amanda is hardworking and prideful. The two have a connection strong enough to share a giant secret. All of the acting is done very well.
Greed released in select theaters on February 28th and everywhere on March 6th. Enjoy the movie.
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Writer: Michael Winterbottom
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 44m
Rating: 3 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
