Is The Power of the Market Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1980)

📖 The Core Premise

The Power of the Market stands as a 1980 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Documentary landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Dr. Friedman states, "There is not a single person in the world who can make this pencil." He explains that the creation of even a simple object - like the "lead" pencil - requires the knowledge of many people, lumberjacks, steel manufacturers, miners, etc. These people may not speak the same language, they may not know or like one another, yet the market enables them to combine knowledge and effort to produce wealth."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Power of the Market, even the presence of Milton Friedman struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Power of the Market worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Power of the Market misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 48 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.