Netflix has a new habit of showing a preview for everything when you scroll over it. I find it annoying when I just want to stay on the home screen, but useful when it helps me discover a movie I might have overlooked otherwise. The Laundromat - a Netflix Original that dropped in theaters in September and on Netflix October 18 - is just such a movie.
This movie is the definition of star studded with Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, and more. In the way the movie The Big Short explains the mortgage crisis of '08, The Laundromat tried to explain the scandal of the Panama Papers that broke in 2015. The main story follows Ellen (Streep), who is seeking compensation from an insurance company for an accident and finds herself pulled into the web of international finance.
The main story is compelling and yet sometimes gets a bit lost in the midst of a myriad of other stories also being told. I think it was kind of brilliant, however, as the twist and turns of the movie really reflect the twist and turns of the financial world they are trying to convey. If it's all a bit confusing at times, well, so is the story they are trying to tell. I love the amount of camp and humor infused into the movie - it takes what could be a dry topic and makes it interesting to watch from start to finish. The directing, acting, costuming, and cinematography choices were all top notch.
Netflix Originals can be very hit or miss, but this one is definitely a hit! It tackles a tough topic in a way that will draw people in and sheds light on one of the most threatening issues of modern society. Even if you think a movie about financial scandal isn't up your alley, I encourage you to give this one a go. After all, who doesn't love Meryl Streep!?