Today’s quick review: Fool’s Gold. Finn (Matthew McConaughey) makes the discovery of a lifetime when he figures out the location of the Queen’s Dowry, a fortune in sunken Spanish gold. Much to the chagrin of Tess (Kate Hudson), his soon-to-be-ex wife, Finn convinces Nigel (Donald Sutherland), her wealthy employer, to fund an expedition for the treasure. But Finn has competition in the hunt for the treasure: a ruthless rapper named Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart).
Fool’s Gold is a romantic comedy adventure about a separated couple brought back together by the lure of lost treasure. Matthew McConaughey stars as Finn, a passionate but irresponsible diver who has spent years of his life searching for the Queen’s Dowry. Kate Hudson co-stars as his wife Tess, who has finally had enough of his antics. What follows is a breezy, comedic adventure with consistently funny dialogue and a charming tone.
Fool’s Gold has an infectious attitude. Finn cruises through life on a tide of questionable decisions and lucky breaks, just barely staying ahead of the consequences of his actions. His upbeat personality sets the tone for the whole movie and paves the way for a host of fun character interactions. There’s nothing groundbreaking going on, just solid writing, dashes of romance and action, and a surprisingly buoyant soundtrack to tie it all together.
Fool’s Gold does have its imperfections. Taken as just an adventure, it falls short on plot, packing just enough twists to be entertaining but missing out on the substance of dedicate adventure films. The same goes for its romance. Finn and Tess complement each other well, with Tess as the brains and Finn as the brawn, but their relationship isn’t as deep or fulfilling as it could be. The movie also relies heavily on Matthew McConaughey.
Fool’s Gold is a solid pick for anyone in the mood for something light and unabashedly fun. Those willing to go along for the ride will be treated to a popcorn watch that has plenty to offer, a grab bag of feel-good moments and simple but effective humor. Those hoping for a carefully constructed plot, a timeless romance, or side-splitting comedy will be disappointed. Fool’s Gold is a modest movie, but one with hidden charm for the right viewer.
For another romantic comedy adventure, try Romancing the Stone. For another treasure-hunting adventure starring Matthew McConaughey, try Sahara. For an adventure with more of an emphasis on history, try National Treasure.
5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for surprisingly pure fun.