Simon Dillon reviews the film about famous billionaire Jean Paul Getty.

Considering Ridley Scott reshot over twenty scenes at the eleventh hour for his new film All the Money in the World - replacing Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer following sexual harassment allegations - it's something of a miracle that it turned out so well. In fact, Plummer is outstanding as famous billionaire Jean Paul Getty, providing an icy heart to the true story of how he refused to pay ransom money when his 16 year old grandson was kidnapped in Rome during the early 1970s.

Whilst certain events are fictionalised, there is plenty of unlikely truth here - including a particularly nasty bout of ear surgery more gruesome than a similar moment in Reservoir Dogs. The afore-mentioned Plummer is excellent, dominating every scene he's in, aided and abetted by David Scarpa's excellent screenplay (based on John Pearson's book). Many in the supporting cast are equally good, including Charlie Plummer (no relation to Christopher) as Getty Jr, and Michelle Williams as his mother Gail. Mark Wahlberg is a bit more one-note as Fletcher Chase, a man hired in some vague "security" capacity by Getty, who is subsequently assigned to get his grandson back through any means necessary - as long as it doesn't cost any money.

Money, or more specifically what it represents, is a key theme in the film. Getty himself is a walking cautionary tale about the deceitfulness of riches. His character is deftly fleshed out in flashbacks, in moments where he is preoccupied with ticker tape market reports (even to the extent that he infamously refused to take the call when his grandson was reported kidnapped), and also in a scene where he expounds on his view that objects are more reliable and therefore of more value than people. His grasping, miserly obsession and inability to ever be fully satisfied is depressingly and brilliantly depicted. No amount of money will ever be enough, despite the fact that he is not just the richest person in the world, but (at that point) the richest person who ever lived. Contrasted with this is the love Gail has for her son - a love that is completely at odds with Getty's greedy and twisted view of the world. For her money represents nothing more than a tool to secure her son's freedom.

The film has a tremendous sense of time and place, with Rome locations used to great effect, and tremendous attention to period detail. As one would expect from a Ridley Scott film, it looks fabulous (courtesy of cinematographer Dariusz Wolski), and Daniel Pemberton contributes a fine music score. I must add the usual warnings for strong language and some violent scenes (including the notorious ear moment), and the film is perhaps a touch too long. However, despite this, Ridley is back on form again. For every Alien Covenant, there is, mercifully, an All the Money in the World. Expect Oscar nominations, especially for Christopher Plummer.