Gold is a 2016 American crime drama film directed by Stephen Gaghan. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard and Corey Stoll. It's Based on a True Story, specifically that of the 1993 Bre-X mining scandal, when a massive gold deposit was supposedly discovered in the jungles of Indonesia, but for legal reasons (and to enhance the appeal of the film), character names and story details were changed.
Kenny Wells (McCounaughey), a prospector desperate for a lucky break, teams up with a similarly eager geologist, Michael Acosta (Ramírez) and sets off on a journey to find gold in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia.
Gold provides examples of:
- Ambiguous Situation: While the film ends with Wells and Key on friendly terms it’s left uncertain if they will get back together.
- It’s uncertain who sent Wells the check for $82 million, although it’s implied to be Mike, it’s also plausible it could have been someone else on Mike’s behalf.
- Based on a True Story: As mentioned, it is based on a real life story, with names changed to hide it. You can still note it, however: Wells is a replacement for a real life person named Walsh, Michael Acosta is one for Michael de Guzmán, and so on.
- Beauty Inversion: The handsome and fit Matthew McConaughey plays the paunchy and balding Kenny Wells.
- Bittersweet Ending: Wells has gone through hell and his relationship with Kay might not recover, although he's now rich.
- Fallen-on-Hard-Times Job: The film starts with Wells going from running a prospecting company to working from his girlfriend's bar.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Kay, Wells’ supportive and caring girlfriend is blond.
- Kavorka Man: Despite having a noticeable gut and being bald, Kenny has no issue attracting beautiful women due to still having Matthew McConaughey's incredible charisma.
- Trauma Conga Line: Wells falls in hard times, then his new venture fails, then he catches malaria. Subverted after he wakes up.
