The Laundromat

A couple of lounge lizards delivering an illustrated lecture on the global financial system, and a grieving housewife seeking an insurance pay-out after the death of her husband prove to be connected in this drama-documentary hybrid from director Steven Soderbergh. Meryl Streep delivers a slightly showy though always engaging turn as the widow uncovering for herself the awful consequences of elusive offshore "shell" company chicanery, while the identity of Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas as the slick "documentary" presenters only becomes clear later on. It's a curious, tantalising affair, which takes a mazy, unconventional path across the international marketplace, and is perhaps best approached as a gag-filled frolic for people who wouldn't watch a serious study of the global money markets. It's certainly different, rather pleased with itself and awash with cameos (Sharon Stone, David Schwimmer, Jeffrey Wright, among others) but its serious intent may well be undone by too many flabby gags - and Oldman's ill-advised comedy German accent. Still, you won't be bored.