The cover for Austrian documentary Let’s Make Money calls the
film “a must-see primer for understanding the global financial crisis.”
That description’s somewhat disingenuous; Let’s Make Money bandies about poorly defined terms like “protectionism” and “private
equity” too liberally to be considered an accessible intro. (Track down
the Peabody-winning This American Life episode “The Giant Pool
of Money” instead.) Then, ignore that lying cover and give
Let‘s Make Money a chance. Director Erwin Wagenhofer
accomplishes something amazing: Using inventive entry points and
interviews, he gives an overdone doc subject (globalization’s
exploitative! The rich are getting richer!) new vigour. I’m cheesed
right now!
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2009.