​FILMS

the big short

The Big Short is big on financial jargon just in case you're short on knowledge of this topic.

2016 review number 6:

The Big Short: (Drama/Comedy): 74 out of 100: Adam McKay is not a director one usually associates with intellectual movies. He's had a successful partnership with Will Ferrell, directing him in a total of five movies. It's actually his first movie which doesn't feature his favourite actor. Unlike those movies, this one really requires you to concentrate as there's a fair bit of dialogue focusing on monetary terms so if the subject doesn't appeal to you, then you might not like it as much as those who have an adequate grasp of financial and housing markets. Still, there's enough descriptions to familiarise yourself with these terms through devices such as celebrities and the movie's characters explaining certain terms to the camera and written descriptions on the screen.

 

Based on the 2008 GFC, the story begins in 2005 with characters who predict the economic downturn of the housing market. They are prepared to experience short term pain for long term gain by shorting the mortgage bonds where they would benefit when the economy collapses and people can't afford to repay their mortgage debts. The main focus is on six characters: Michael Burry (Christian Bale) is a financial whiz whose prediction of the looming crisis is ridiculed by his clients, Mark Baum (Steve Carell), a broker who is experiencing some personal problems, Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), the narrator of the movie and an investor without much of a conscience, and the duo of Charlie Geller (John Magaro) and Jamie Shipley (Finn Wittrock), both amateurs who seek the advice of ex-broker Ben Rickert (Brad Pitt).

 

This is an adaptation of Michael Lewis' non-fiction book based on the GFC. Some of the characters in the movie are real while others have been fictionalised or have had their names changed. If you are familiar with his books then you will know that he also wrote Moneyball which was also made into a movie in 2011. Like that movie, there are specific terms related to the theme to get your head around. The introduction of celebrities to explain terms is both an innovative and flawed concept. Being set in 2005, we have celebrities who weren't even known then like Margot Robbie and Selena Gomez. The captions on the screen are beneficial to provide us information but they are also a distraction. Several characters talking to the camera occasionally hamper the flow of the narrative. 

 

Criticisms aside, even if you don't know anything about the economy, the way that Adam McKay has directed this movie allows you to maintain your interest. There's a documentary style to some of his shots and the panning of the camera plus the snappy, breezy edits keep things moving along at an energetic pace. 

 

The performances are all first-rate with special mention going to Christian Bale who is a superb character actor. His initial confidence in the market collapse then his angst when his predictions don't seem to come true highlight his range as an actor. Steve Carell also receives a fair bit of screen time and shows that he is adept in both comedic and dramatic roles. Although Ryan Gosling is the narrator, he doesn't appear in the movie as much as Carell and Bale but he portrays the selfish investor with aplomb. 

 

I'm not inclined to rave about The Big Short like many critics but it's still a fairly entertaining account of the 2008 GFC. This would be a must-see for economy enthusiasts and for people who have little idea about the world's financial markets, there should be enough in the story to maintain your interest.

 

Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt

(130 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, nudity and adult themes

Additional scene during or after movie: Yes, there are photos of the GFC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWr8hbUkG9s (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Wednesday 13th January, 2016)

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