Gold

In 1988, paunchy, whiskey-guzzling Kenny Wells (an almost unrecognizable Matthew McConaughey) inherited his family's once-profitable Washoe Mining Corporation in Reno, NV. But it's failing, so Kenny works the telephones out of a local bar where his girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a waitress. Enter maverick geologist Michael Acosta (Venezuelan star Édgar Ramírez), who convinces Kenny that gold is hidden deep in the steamy jungles of Borneo. Forming a handshake partnership, the pair set off for Indonesia, establishing an excavation site on the banks of a river, where Kenny nearly dies of malaria. When they do find gold—perhaps the richest deposit of the 20th century—Washoe Mining stock soars. But if getting the gold was hard, keeping it proves to be even more difficult. Suddenly, they are being pursued by a New York investment banker (Corey Stoll) and his competitor (Bruce Greenwood), along with a flirtatious financier (Rachael Taylor) and the Wells' family's previously-doubting banker (Stacy Keach)—all of whom want a piece of the action. Inspired by Canada's 1990s Bre-X mining scandal, this is a superficial treatment that is unevenly directed by Stephen Gaghan, who relies far too much on Kenny's expository questioning conducted by an FBI interviewer (Toby Kebbell). Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Stephen Gaghan, production featurettes on “The Origins” (5 min.) and “The Locations” (5 min.), deleted scenes (5 min.), and a character segment with star Matthew McConaughey (4 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven true-life drama.] (S. Granger)