In 1988 Reno, fast-talker Kenny (McConaughey) is tenaciously trying to get funding for a project he has been nurturing for nearly a decade to find gold in Indonesia. Kenny's wife Kay (Howard) stands by him, even though they're on the verge of losing everything. Travelling to Jakarta, Kenny pitches his project to the dubious Michael (Ramirez), who takes him into head-hunters' territory. And when they find gold, everyone wants a piece of the action. But just as they strike it rich, the FBI brings their operation crashing down.

Balding and overweight, McConaughey has a great time in the role of the larger-than-life Kenny, an optimist who simply knows there's gold in them thar hills despite the lack of evidence. It's a scenery-chewing role that's thoroughly entertaining. Opposite him, no one else has much of a chance, essentially because they're all just playing money-men in suits. The sparky Ramirez does manage to bring some earthy energy to Michael. And as the only proper female character, Howard is terrific, even after Kay is sidelined by the plot.

The film races through the story without pausing for breath. It's a series of big events, one after another, riding what seems to be an uncontrollable dragon as Kenny soars to decadent heights, is tempted by every kind of vice and danger, and remains unwavering in his passion even when things go horribly wrong. The story veers somewhat bewilderingly between giddy profits and nightmarish setbacks. And frankly, this series of outrageous events would be unbelievable if it wasn't true.

So even though the film feels rather superficial and gimmicky, the relentlessly positive energy goes a long way to helping the audience sympathise with and sometimes even like Kenny, who is awkward and often rather clueless about what's really going on around him. But his refusal to simply make a quick profit is properly inspiring. As he says, "If you sell your dream, what do you have left?"

themes, language, sexuality

19.Dec.16