The Laundromat Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Meryl Streep gets scammed after a boat trip gone wrong, then Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas explain international finance while wearing increasingly ridiculous outfits.

🍿 The Laundromat: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Mossack Fonseca

The film opens with Jürgen Mossack (Gary Oldman) and Ramón Fonseca (Antonio Banderas) introducing themselves and their law firm, Mossack Fonseca. They explain, in a fourth-wall-breaking manner, the concept of money laundering and the use of shell corporations to hide wealth and avoid taxes. This sets the stage for a series of interconnected stories illustrating how their firm facilitates these activities for the world’s wealthiest individuals and organizations.

Ellen Martin’s Insurance Claim

Ellen Martin (Meryl Streep), a widow, is trying to claim insurance money after her husband dies in a tragic boat accident. She discovers that the insurance policy is held by a shell company, and she is unable to receive any compensation. This plot line serves as an accessible entry point, showing the real-world impact of complex financial structures on ordinary people. Ellen’s investigation takes her from the United States to Nevis, where she attempts to confront the individuals behind the shell companies.

The African Billionaire and his Daughter

Another storyline involves an African billionaire, Charles, and his daughter, Simone. Simone discovers her father’s infidelity and is offered shares in one of his companies as compensation. However, when she tries to claim ownership, she finds out the shares are worthless because the company is just a shell, designed to conceal assets. This segment highlights the lengths to which the wealthy will go to maintain control and hide their wealth from those closest to them.

The Wang Lijun Incident

The film also portrays a dramatized version of the Wang Lijun incident, focusing on the death of Neil Heywood, a British businessman, and the involvement of Gu Kailai, the wife of a prominent Chinese politician. This segment shows how Mossack Fonseca’s services are used to launder money out of China. Gu Kailai murders Neil Heywood, attempting to conceal her corruption and illegal financial activities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jürgen Mossack (Gary Oldman): One of the founding partners of Mossack Fonseca, who explains the intricacies of offshore finance with a mix of charm and unapologetic self-interest.
• Ramón Fonseca (Antonio Banderas): The other founding partner of Mossack Fonseca, who serves as a charismatic co-narrator, guiding the audience through the world of shell companies.
• Ellen Martin (Meryl Streep): A grieving widow who uncovers a complex web of insurance fraud linked to Mossack Fonseca after her husband’s death.
• Joe Martin (James Cromwell): Ellen’s husband whose death on a lake excursion sets off a chain of events uncovering insurance fraud.
• Matthew Quirk (David Schwimmer): The owner’s son of the boat tour company involved in the accident that caused Joe’s death, who attempts to navigate the complex insurance claims process.
• Malchus Boncamper (Jeffrey Wright): The Nevis-based manager of a shell company trust who gets caught up in the investigation of Mossack Fonseca’s activities.
• Charles (Nonso Anozie): An African billionaire whose attempts to hide assets through Mossack Fonseca impact his daughter Simone.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jürgen Mossack: “Bad? Bad is such a big word, for being such a small word.” – Jürgen Mossack said this line to give his perspective that the actions were not as bad as people make them out to be.
• Ramón Fonseca: “The meek are screwed.” – The Narrator, Ramón Fonseca, said this line to state the rules of creating and protecting wealth.
• Ellen Martin: “I’m not wearing this dress for the rest of my life.” – Ellen says this line as she removes her disguise at the end of the movie and makes a clear and bold statement about the immediate need for campaign finance reforms.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20 million
• Domestic Gross: $85,238
• Worldwide Gross: $1.3 million

💥 The Laundromat Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this thinking it would be like ‘The Big Short,’ but with Meryl Streep. It was… different. Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas were hilarious as they broke the fourth wall, but sometimes I felt lost. It’s like they were trying to explain really complicated stuff while juggling chainsaws. I appreciated the effort to shed light on a real issue, and the ending definitely made me think. Still, it’s a movie I’ll need to watch a second time (maybe with a financial dictionary handy!).

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in financial crime and political corruption”
  • “Fans of dark comedies and satirical films”
  • “Those who enjoy films with ensemble casts and complex narratives”
  • “Individuals who appreciate movies that break the fourth wall”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Discussion of sensitive topics such as tax evasion, money laundering, and corruption”
  • “Brief depiction of violence and death”
  • “Some mature themes and language”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Soderbergh tries to explain the Panama Papers scandal with a zany, ‘Big Short’-esque approach, but the humor often feels forced, and the complex financial concepts remain elusive despite the efforts of Oldman and Banderas. Streep’s performance is solid, but the film struggles to find a consistent tone, making it a noble but ultimately uneven effort.
• Variety: “A star-studded cast can’t elevate this didactic and tonally inconsistent film about the Panama Papers. While aiming for a darkly comedic exposé, ‘The Laundromat’ often feels preachy and disjointed, sacrificing clarity for style. It’s an ambitious failure that struggles to engage beyond its surface-level presentation of complex financial issues.
• The Guardian: “Soderbergh’s attempt to dramatize the Panama Papers is ambitious and visually engaging, even if it doesn’t fully succeed in making the intricate details of offshore finance accessible. Oldman and Banderas are a delight, and Streep’s emotional core grounds the film. However, it’s a bit too clever for its own good, leaving some viewers behind.

Audience Reactions

Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas’ performances as the lawyers were incredibly entertaining and engaging.: Most viewers found the attempt to explain complex financial structures in a comedic way to be somewhat successful and appreciated the stellar cast.

The film’s ending, where Meryl Streep breaks the fourth wall to deliver a message, was powerful and thought-provoking for many.: Viewers recognized the importance of the issues raised by the film, even if the delivery was sometimes confusing or heavy-handed.

Overall Consensus: A star-studded cast and stylish direction can’t fully overcome the film’s complex subject matter and uneven tone, resulting in a mixed bag of entertainment and social commentary.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns interviewed Jürgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca extensively for the film.”
• “The film uses a non-linear narrative and breaks the fourth wall to explain complex financial concepts, similar to ‘The Big Short’.”
• “Several scenes were filmed on location to recreate the settings of the real events.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Laundromat?

The Laundromat is currently available to stream on Netflix. Check your local listings for availability. You may also find it available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for pricing and availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Laundromat, you might like these similar films:

• The Big Short (2015): Both films use a comedic approach to explain complex financial topics and expose corporate corruption.
• Syriana (2005): Syriana explores the complex web of political and economic interests in the oil industry, similar to how The Laundromat explores offshore finance.
• Too Big to Fail (2011): A dramatization of the 2008 financial crisis, offering a look inside the decisions made by those in power.

🛒 The Laundromat Related Products

• Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation of Illicit Money Networks and the Global Elite: A comprehensive look at the Panama Papers scandal, written by the investigative journalist who broke the story. Get the full story behind the movie.
• The Big Short [Blu-ray]: If you enjoyed the comedic and informative style of The Laundromat, watch this movie.
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Wolf of Wall Street – Jordan Belfort: Add this unique collectible to your Funko collection. This Funko Pop figure is a detailed representation of Jordan Belfort.
• Money Heist: The Professor Mask: Ideal for parties, money heist fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Laundromat features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Poppy” – performed by Klint

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Money-Laundering Expert Rates 8 Money-Laundering Scams In Movies and TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how accurate movie portrayals of money laundering are? This FBI expert breaks down scenes from different films, giving you the real scoop on what’s fact and fiction. It’s super insightful and might surprise you how Hollywood gets it wrong sometimes!

Quickie: The Laundromat, Bacurau, First Love #TIFF19

Want a quick take on ‘The Laundromat’ from a popular movie critic? YMS gives his thoughts in this short review. It’s a great way to get another perspective before (or after!) watching the film.

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