INFORMED purists may find fault with some of the technical elements of the TV studio in which much of this drama takes place.

Director Jodie Foster’s film has great suspense values, a simple plot complicated by the environment in which it unfolds, a message about those in high places making decisions adversely affecting financial bottom-feeders, the inability of the vox pop to influence an outcome and a reminder that there’s no interest like self interest.

George Clooney plays Lee, anchor-man for a daily program telling Joe and Mabel Average what their investments are doing in the market and why. Lee is evidence, if it were needed, of the real nature of TV. Whatever subject matter is going to air, TV is an entertainment medium. The bottom-feeders enjoy the glib style that has him wealthy.

Today, Kyle (Jack O’Connell) gets into the studio, straps an explosive vest on to Lee and demands that he explain why financial giant IBIS has lost $800 million overnight.

The conflict in “Money Monster” is simple. Its tensions are intense. The channel’s reactions are perplexed. The police take a doctrinaire approach. Program director Patty (Julia Roberts) without leaving her chair becomes the key to avoiding disaster. And the characters move deftly between drama and clever comedy.

The entertainment values of “Money Monster” sit comfortably beside its message. Be careful about to whom you entrust your surplus funds to wax fat for your benefit. That bloke may have other ideas.

At all cinemas