Movie Review: Kajillionaire

In most cases, how your parents raised you determines who you are today. How we view the world is shaped by our experiences. Imagine what your world would be like if you were raised as a grifter and your life was one heist after another? Kajillionaire is just that. 

Kajillionaire begins with a heist, but not a Bonny and Clyde type heist. A small stuffed animal, unusable money order, and a men\’s necktie might pull a few dollars, but it is hardly anything. However, Robert (Richard Jenkins) and Theresa (Debra Winger) are not really looking to pull profits, they just as Robert puts it \”prefer to skim.\”

Kajillionaire follows Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood) and her parents as they are looking for their next con and a way to pay debts that they have accumulated. Remember, Old Dolio only knows what her parents have taught her and in turn, their influence has created a very odd-mannered, deep gravel-voiced, oversized tracksuit wearing female with extremely long and stringy hair. Old Dolio has been put front and center for all of her parent\’s cons.

Things get even more bizarre when Old Dolio comes up with an original scam to help pay for her family\’s debts. The plan is to fly to another state and back and then claim lost luggage to receive money that will, in turn, pay off some of the debt they have collected. During this venture, her parents meet Melanie, an attractive stranger that they quickly bring into their life of heist. With Melanie in the picture, Old Dolio begins to question where she fits in.

Overall Kajillionaire is just bizarre, and some seem are actually off-putting. However, despite its quirks and bizarre scenes, you can\’t help but feel for Old Dolio and wonder how it will end. If you\’re looking for a way to escape reality, check out Kajillionaire this Friday, September 25. 

About Kajillionaire
From acclaimed writer/director Miranda July comes a profoundly moving and wildly original comedy. Con-artists Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) have spent 26 years training their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle, scam, and steal at every opportunity. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger (Gina Rodriguez) into joining their next scam, only to have their entire world turned upside down.