I've never dabbled in stock trading, but after watching Craig Gillespie's "Dumb Money," based on a remarkable true story, I regret sitting out of the 2021 GameStop frenzy. During that pivotal moment, a pack of average Joe's flipped the script on Wall Street, turning GameStop, a declining company, into a cultural phenomenon.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith Gill, known as "Roaring Kitty" on the WallStreetBets subreddit, invested his life savings in GameStop stock. As his posts gained traction, what began as a simple stock tip evolved into a David vs. Goliath movement, enriching millions until the billionaires fought back.

This tale of disruption in the financial world, sparked by a band of Redditors, highlights the influence of social media when a group of people are united for the same cause. Craig Gillespie captures the highs and lows of trading during that period. Especially when Robinhood (a trading app) suddenly restricted its users from buying GameStop stock. Gillespie sheds light on a world grappling with isolation, economic disparities, and rising social movements.

For many, the GameStop incident was not just a financial story but a stage to express discontent against a system seemingly skewed toward the elite. The narrative often paints Wall Street figures as villains while highlighting the difficulty of the working class. Ultimately, it's less about the nuances of stocks and more about a system where the rich prosper at the expense of the common man.

The film humorously retells the events from multiple perspectives, showcasing an ensemble cast. The main character, portrayed by Paul Dano, anchors the story emotionally. We root for him, empathizing with his decisions to unite a group of online misfits to challenge the wealthy elites. Pete Davidson delivers several LOL one-liners as Paul Dano's character's brother. Seth Rogen and Vincent D'Onofrio are the antagonists apart of the hedge funds. 

While the camera work and visuals might be lackluster, the film's hip-hop soundtrack, sharp dialogue, engaging edits, and cross-cuts between storylines infuse the narrative with energy. To make things more engaging, the film includes actual news footage, TikTok videos, and my favorite: clips of Dave Portnoy calling Robinhood a bunch of rats.

"Dumb Money" tells more than just a stock story. It's about regular people taking a stand and making a significant impact that forever changed the stock game. Gillespie shows us the ups and downs of this wild ride, making it easy to follow and understand. Whether you know about stocks or not, this film makes you think about who really has power and how, sometimes, the unexpected can happen. It's a must-watch for anyone who wants to see an underdog story come to life.

4/5