Meryl Streep takes the lead in Laundromat, a Netflix Original based on the 2015 Panama Papers leak. She plays a grieving widow who lost her husband in a tragic accident, only to become entangled in discoveries of deceitful insurance companies and corrupt off-shore accounts. Multiple linked plotlines attempt to show the breadth of the impact, yet the film does little to delve into any depth. Director Steven Soderbergh takes a clearly strong stance on the extremely complicated issue: men rule, women are duped. That’s not to say that he’s entirely wrong, but it is an extremely simplified perspective.

There is potential in the Laundromat, which makes it only more disappointing that it fails on most counts. It’s convoluted and overly simplified plot does little to convey the true issue, and does even less to entertain. It is relatively easy, but too boring, to follow: the absolute opposite of what you would expect from a film based on the Panama Papers leak. The plot begs for some bite, some grit, some momentum. Each plotline feels over-indulged with little attempt at focusing on the common issue, sometimes so much so that you forget what film you’re watching. Additionally, Laundromat uses the fourth wall so frequently that you will forget about the first, second, or third one: typically reserved for a comic slight, it becomes totally ineffective and, frankly, boring – very quickly.

Meryl Streep, predictably, is somewhat of a saviour. Yet, even Meryl can do little to make the plot any more dynamic, witty, or enjoyable. It’s a shame that Laundromat utilises neither its incredible cast nor massively intriguing true-life inspiration. It should make you angry, interested, and passionate. Unfortunately, the only thing you’ll be angry about is its wasted potential.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writers: Jake Bernstein (book), Scott Z. Burns (screenplay)
Stars: Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, AJ Meijer
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