COMEDY Greed tells the story of self-made British billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan), whose retail empire is in crisis. 38778. p. 5828. McCreadie may not be a real person, but he is apparently evil: he skates by knowing that his money talks much louder than any governmental regulation could (as he argues in a deposition where he points out that most large corporations don't pay taxes). Coogan plays Sir Richard McCreadie, whose name rhymes with "greedy," the man behind a brand called Monda, but there's no real mystery about whom he's skewering. After the war McCreery was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Forces of Occupation in Austria and British representative on the Allied Commission for Austria. [16] The 1945 spring offensive which followed, conducted jointly by the Eighth Army and the Fifth Army, now commanded by Lucian K. Truscott, another cavalryman, culminated in a 23-day battle which resulted in the surrender of nearly a million German soldiers. Cunningly mounted to satirize the heavy-breathing structure of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, Greed is a jaunty caper littered with farcical flashbacks to McCreadie's formative youth with his ferociously ambitious mother. His outstanding skill as a horseman was achieved despite the loss of several toes and a hole in the riding muscle of his right leg, as a result of his wounding in the First World War, which left him with a pronounced limp for the rest of his life. [8], On 11 August 1915, McCreery was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 12th (The Prince of Wales's Royal) Lancers,[1] but instead of joining his regiment in France, was posted to the 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry based in Dublin for further training in cavalry tactics. Hilarious but raunchy mockumentary has sex, language. It deserves a solid 15 rating for Very Strong Language! UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #2: (As character) Oh, whatever it takes. McCreery was given command of VIII Corps in the United Kingdom in July 1943 and then, following the Axis surrender in Tunisia, he was given command of X Corps in August 1943[21] which was training to take part in the Italian campaign. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #4: (As character) Angeline (ph) is now a maybe. While the film's central character is very much the butt of the joke, Coogan said he does have some sympathy with the man his character is based on. What other ways might there be to hold the characters accountable? Humor is often in poor taste, touching on issues including abortion, sexual harassment, and child abuse. (Henry is another oft-cited candidate for ordering the princes deaths, as both had stronger claims to the crown than him; pretenders claiming to be either Edward or Richard threatened Henry throughout his reign, underscoring the tenuous nature of his grasp on power. Retail mogul Sir Richard (Greedy) McCreadie (Steve Coogan) has decamped to the Greek island of Mykonos to celebrate his 60th birthday with family, friends, a camera crew and an appointed biographer. He's chronicling my life. Sir Richard doesn't give a damn, and writer-director Michael Winterbottom offers no Rosebud to unlock the psychic key to this soulless sociopath, who's loosely inspired by Philip Green, the real-life owner of High Street retail chains like Top Shop. In December 1940 he was appointed General Officer Commanding of the newly created 8th Armoured Division.[18][1]. But even as gleefully extreme as Greed gets with its critique, I doubt that two hours of cruel cut-downs aimed at a rich bozo most Americans havent heard of will do much to alter consumer habits. The comedian plays a fashion tycoon in Greed, which lays bare the disparity in the clothing industry where workers can be paid a pittance to make garments for thriving companies. Next to riding McCreery's great passion was gardening, and he continued to develop the garden originally laid out by his mother, Emilia McAdam. The film also refers to the cost of hiring Robbie Williams who performed eight songs at Greens 2012 party. Thornton draws on archival records to posit that Tudor courtiers Edward and Miles Forestwho held positions in the households of the king and top adviser Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, respectivelywere the sons of Miles Forest, one of two men More claims were tasked with carrying out the princes killings. As it follows the exploits of self-made retail billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan) leading up to his Gladiator-themed birthday party, the satire dissects the way layers of glamour . He would have to learn to walk and ride again, and was affected by a pronounced limp for the rest of his life.[12]. There was some very strong language though, uses of F**k, MotherF**ker, C**t, Tw*t, S**t, Pr*k, Asshole, bugger, b*stard, b*tch, C*ck etc And there were a few sex references although they were pretty mild, some drug references and minor drug use, some upsetting scenes and one scene that was moderately bloody ( it wasnt really that bad, it lasts for a few seconds and is blink and miss). MONDELLO: A fashion world bottom feeder played by Steve Coogan, he's scammed his way to wealth - buying and asset-stripping his competitors, paying starvation wages to Bangladeshi workers and, as he tells a parliamentary committee, employing tax dodges. After a recent damaging appearance at a government inquiry into financial and ethical abuse within the fashion industry, McCreadie has decided to publish his memoirs and has hired Nick, a socially awkward journalist, to ghostwrite it for him. He attended the Staff College, Camberley, from 1928 to 1929. For 30 years he has ruled the world of retail fashion - bringing the high street to the catwalk and the catwalk to the high street - but after a damaging public inquiry, his image is tarnished. Do you think it was fair? [23] McCreery retired from the Army on 9 December 1949. Given the general air of sardonic jocularity, we wait for a punch line. COOGAN: (As Sir Richard McCreadie) That's it. Until, that is, the very end, when bleak statistics fill the screen, revealing that 80% of garment workers are women, that nine out of 10 billionaires are men, and that 17,000 refugees drowned crossing the Mediterranean in search of safety. McCreery and his wife, Lettice St. Maur, had four sons and one daughter. Sir Philip Green gave evidence to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and Work and Pensions Committee on the collapse of BHS. Amanda serves a key function in the film but doesnt read like a real person a shame, because shes the most likable character and the idea that shes obliged to work a second job in a London sweatshop seems outrageous. [10], This they did in preparation for the Battle of Arras in April 1917, where the 12th Lancers and the rest of the 5th Cavalry Division formed a cavalry reserve in case there was a major breakthrough which could be exploited. How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? McCreery was clearly possessed of a high intelligence, which was not restricted in its operation by the early end of his formal academic education. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. BOB MONDELLO, BYLINE: There's a reason gazillionaire Sir Richard McCreadie is known as Greedy McCreadie. The forced closure of our stores for sustained periods as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a material impact on trading across our businesses the Arcadia boards have been working on a number of contingency options to secure the future of the Groups brands.. [13] The MC's citation reads: On 9th November, 1918, east of the Avesnes-Maubeuge road, for valuable and dashing work when in command of a mounted patrol sent forward to get in touch with the retiring enemy. This despite the judgment of a Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the myriad bankruptcies that have somehow filled his coffers, that he exemplifies "the unacceptable face of capitalism." UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #1: (As character) Three-fifty. "But, you know, people aren't one thing and people change, and people can do things that they think 'I behaved like this, but it wasn't good, and now' The same way people are allowed to change their mind about things. He was serving in the British Army, but off-duty at the time. To save his reputation, he decides to bounce back with a highly . 2023 BBC. Powerful Stories About Martin Luther King Jr. Goofy Comedy Movies to Watch with Tweens and Teens. The collapse of Arcadia would put over 13,000 jobs at risk, and leave a question mark hanging over the future of a 500 store-network across the UK. Do you think anyone other than McCreadie had a responsibility to act differently? Some are very superficial. Hes certainly got the teeth for it. "I think I can defend myself because I think this is important stuff, you know, stuff that was important to me isn't now. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #1: (As character) Yeah. Rich McCready's age is 52. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. [22] An over-riding sense of duty might be said to have characterised his life and career. Supposedly based on eyewitness testimony, the account painted its subject as a malicious, wrathful, envious, and ever perverse ruler whod secured his crown by ordering the deaths of the rightful heirshis nephews, Edward V and Richard, Duke of Yorkin 1483. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Some of the stars who feature were at Greens 6.5million 60th birthday bash in Cancun, Mexico, in 2012. A pal of shamed rag-trade tycoon Green, 67, told the Sunday People: Sir Philip is aware of the film but says he wont be bothering to watch it because friends who have seen the trailers have told him its a load of s***. An Arcadia spokesperson would not comment on the release of the film. Sir Philip was branded as the "unacceptable face of capitalism" in a damning report by MPs that found Sir Philip left BHS "on life support". Are there realistic consequences? This guy has decided to throw himself an extravagant 60th birthday party on a Greek isle, complete with gladiators fighting lions - which would have been Rome not Greece, but whatever - also, employees dressed as slaves - appropriate to how he sees them - maybe Elton John singing by the pool. Oh - and there are Syrian refugees cluttering up the view. Pay close attention to Clarence, a real-life lion who enters the scene with distressingly low testosterone but who will later earn his own 15 minutes, and then some. DAVID MITCHELL: (As Nick) Hi. And the film sends up the opulent toga party Green - nicknamed Sir Philip Greed after the. The film cuts between scenes of his first hustles as a teenager, the inquiry, exploited workers in Sri Lankan textile factories, and present-day preparations for the big event at a luxury Mykonos hotel. And the satire suffers from a lack of focus and finesse that leaves it in danger of missing the mark, even with "extra material" from Veep/The Thick Of It writer Sean Gray. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. He was also criticised for holding a lavish party in the Maldives which allegedly featured topless dancers and a giant Buddha statue. To save his reputation, he plans a Roman-themed lavish 60th birthday on the Greek island of Mykonos, but finds his celebrity friends less compliant than he used to. The actors always been a quick wit, and his timing couldnt be better. The films big fat target is the billionaire bottom feeder Sir Philip Green, responsible for Topshop and half a dozen other retail labels (the British equivalent of worse offenders Zara and H&M) that have turned the exploitation of developing-world workers into an empire of cheap and lousy discount fashion. . Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. If you want to chase people avoiding tax, why don't you go after the big boys? The Alan Partridge star said that despite excess in the past, he's changed. For 30 years he has ruled the world of retail fashion - bringing the high street to the catwalk and the catwalk to the high street - but after a damaging public inquiry, his image is tarnished. Video1894 shipwreck confirms tale of treacherous lifeboat, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. All rights reserved. "I've grown up, I've evolved, and I'm prepared to run the risk of people accusing me of being hypocritical. As monstrous cinematic moguls go, Sir Richard McCreadie, CEO of many a failed British cut-rate clothing chain, is no Citizen Kane. In one scene, she is filmed handing food to starving Syrian refugees, only to screw up the take and grab the food back from. MITCHELL: (As Nick) Of course not. General Sir Richard McCreery died on 18 October 1967 aged 69. While this circus unfolds around him, McCreadie focuses on his birthday, demanding that a small arena be custom-built on Mykonos, complete with live lion. McCreery's youngest brother, Jack, who was a playwright with a play running in the West End, took his own life. The movie showed at some of last year's film festivals so it's likely the Top Shop owner is well aware of its existence. We now have substantial grounds for believing that the detail of Mores account of a murder is credible.. MONDELLO: Still, credit him with making serious points lightly in "Greed" about the exploitation of workers, about the excesses of the billionaire class, about, in short, the age in which we live. All Rights Reserved. Pic: Greed Sony Pictures Releases UK, David Mitchell plays a journalist-turned-biographer. Richard Vincent Giordano, business executive, born 24 March 1934; died 27 December 2022 . Greed merely pokes fun at how the owners spend their money (as in a montage of those tacky celebrity videograms, featuring personalized birthday greetings from the likes of Colin Firth and Keira Knightley, who may or may not have been in on the joke). He also performs original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts . His fellow students in the Junior Division there included Gerard Bucknall, Gerald Templer, Alexander Cameron, Alexander Galloway, I. S. O. Playfair, John Harding, Philip Gregson-Ellis and Gordon MacMillan, whilst the instructors included Richard O'Connor, Bernard Paget, Henry Pownall, Harold Franklyn and Bernard Montgomery. In GREED, fashion billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan) is preparing for his 60th birthday party, which he hopes will repair his reputation following a damaging public inquiry into his iffy business practices.The film cuts between scenes of his first hustles as a teenager, the inquiry, exploited workers in Sri Lankan textile factories, and present-day preparations for the big event . Sir Philip is widely quoted as saying that nobody can be a clairvoyant - whatever Monday and the next few critical weeks have in store for the brand, it is clear this was a Black Friday in more ways than one. The scene-stealer here is Shirley Henderson as McCreadies outrageous old-crone mother, viciously encouraging behind a layer of droopy prosthetic skin. Like most of his contemporaries who had served for some time on the Western Front, he could not fail to have been profoundly affected by the experience, but he probably believed that what they had achieved would make the world a better place. McCreery remained at Alexander's side when the latter was made commander of the 18th Army Group in mid-February 1943. Breaking news reported by Sky News today suggests that the Arcadia group may be on the brink of collapse. There's also a gory scene of a man getting mauled to death by a lion. [15], He was then appointed brigade major of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade in 1930 and Commanding Officer of his regiment in 1935.[16]. What he wants, it turns out, is to make millions as a serial killer of clothing stores he buys on the cheap, a 21st-century ploy that makes him prosper even as he sends the firms down the tubes. COOGAN: (As Sir Richard McCreadie) I've done nothing wrong. Samberg's funny but raunchy comedy skewers fame. Oh, wait - no. Appropriately for a man who was associated all his adult life with a cavalry regiment, McCreery was a highly accomplished horseman. COOGAN: (As Sir Richard McCreadie) A million pounds. Description. He collaborated with young songwriter and fellow Missouri native Grant Landis. Are they glamorized? His approach here is hardly subtle. US drops assault charges against Sir Philip Green, How to save the UK's crisis-hit High Streets, US and Russia trade blows over Ukraine at G20, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, 1894 shipwreck confirms tale of treacherous lifeboat. Your privacy is important to us. Coogan is as watchable as ever, and fans will enjoy the BAFTA-winning actor's latest character: Sir Richard is the physical embodiment of the Greek term "hubris," existing in a world of many classic references that can point only toward tragedy. He is best known for creating comedy songs that make light of pop culture and often parody specific songs by contemporary musicians. Whereas Nicks expected to write a puff piece, the film offers audiences a more unfiltered glimpse at McCreadies inner world, complete with biting flashbacks in which Jamie Blackley plays the already ruthless young Richard informed by fictional interviews with various friends and cohorts. At least, thats the gist of the joke here, although one cant help wishing that it were funnier. "I think he in some ways is to be applauded for being overt and demonstrative about his success in the way that many of his contemporaries hide their success under a bushel. Director - Michael Winterbottom Written by - Michael Winterbottom Starring: Steve Coogan as Sir Richard McCreadie David Mitchell as Nick Isla Fisher as Samantha McCreadie Sophie Cookson as Lily McCreadie Asa Butterfield as Finn McCreadie Ollie Locke as Fabian Shirley Henderson as Granny? Sir Philip, now based in Monaco,. [6][1], McCreery was educated at Bilton Grange, St Michael's Preparatory School, Westgate-on-Sea and Eton College. 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