Worth (2020)

Dir Sara Colangelow

Written by Max Borenstein

Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, Stanley Tucci, Tate Donovan, Shunori Ramanathan

In the days, weeks, months and years after the devastating events of September 11th 2001, the United States Government employs Ken Feinberg (Keaton) to be the Special Master, overseeing the Compensation for the victims of the event. His task is to persuade the victims to sign up for compensation that he has devised from a formula for each individual who perished. If he does not have 80% of the victims sign, they will be able to pursue legal action that may see them lose.

His project is hampered by the distain the victims’ families have for his fund, primarily Charles Wolf (Tucci) the husband of one victim who begins his vehement opposition to Feinberg, and begins a group called Fix the Fund – which grows support more than Feinberg’s does.

As the months go by, and the deadline grows closer, Feinberg, and his deputy Camille (Ryan) meet the victims’ families to determine how they can help, and who else besides those who perished that day need the help.

Very thought provoking movie, with a stellar cast, Keaton is brilliant as the lead Feinberg who puts himself up for the task no one wants. He clarly took great pride in portraying the real life man, with all his mannerisms, right down to the strong (maybe overly exaggerated? Boston accent).

Ryan and Tucci are also well cast, as both Ken’s right hand and harshest critic respectively. Tucci is one of the best character actors of our time, and he is always able to deliver.

As this is a biographical film of real world events, I found it to portray this story in a respectful manner. However not identifying with any of the culture of what occurred personally, so this may be erroneous.

Quite a good film, but it is dialogue heavy, with sensitive subject matter, especially for American audiences.

4/5