Review of Kajillionaire
midlandsmovies • October 25, 2020
Kajillionaire (2020) Dir. Miranda July
Westworld’s Evan Rachel Wood stars in in this quirky offering from Miranda July which explores the growing pains of a young girl who is forced into a life of petty scams by her unloving parents.
She plays Old Dolio Dyne (yes, that’s really her name), the daughter of petty criminals Robert Dyne (an always watchable Richard Jenkins) and Theresa Dyne (a darker Debra Winger giving off mother superior cult vibes).
Old Dolio is treated as a partner in crime rather than a daughter and we are introduced to the family during a variety of scams including skimming, theft and petty fraud. Despite these regular swindles, they owe back-rent on their soap-filled office/home and Old Dolio suggests a ploy to claim travel insurance on lost luggage.
On the plane back from their swindle, the parents meet Gina Rodriguez as Melanie who joins their life of dodgy stings – but also begins to receive better treatment than Old Dolio herself.
Dressed as if Jay and Silent Bob merged into one person, Old Dolio in fact acts younger than her years even though her parents treat her as an adult. Missing birthday presents and regular parts of her upbringing, the film suggests that she has leapfrogged her childhood. And Rachel Wood delivers an excellent performance, channelling resentment coupled with a craving for love and care.
After an altercation between the group, Gina Rodriguez who has her own money problems, feels sympathy for Old Dolio and takes her under her wing as a surrogate parent. She promises to help her complete some unfulfilled dreams on the promise of the insurance refund.
Kajillionaire takes an age to get going – the setup is stretched way beyond of what an audience needs to understand its themes and characters. Yet, saying that, there’s definitely a 4 or even 5-star movie in here, which in another world would start at 45 minutes in.
But once is does hit its stride I found myself warming to its idiosyncratic charms. The tone is particularly peculiar but underneath the oddness is a thoughtful probe into maternal connections, child abandonment and issues of neglect. As Old Dolio begins to emerge from the years of inattention, the seriousness of her mistreatment is given more weight. This is staged alongside her blossoming and tender relationship with Michelle, whilst we also question whether an attempt to build bridges is just another part of her selfish parents’ scheming.
Part of its enjoyment comes from whether you can roll with its offbeat tone as it’s not a traditional one. Whereas Mark Kermode found its quirkiness off-putting, I threw myself into its spirit but the first half is something you may have to push yourself through. But I feel its more than worth it as for all the cons and rackets, the film’s real heart lies with Rachel Wood's marvellous performance of a woman yearning for affection but finding strength in herself.
★★★ ½
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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