The Big Short (2015)

In 2006-2007 a group of investors bet against the US mortgage market. In their research they discover how flawed and corrupt the market is.

Jess‘ Review

Sam absolutely LOVES this film. He’s mentioned it to me more times than I can count and I’ve always half-promised that I’d give it a try at some point. Some point turned out to be today.

The Big Short is based on the true stories of several investors who discovered the extent of corruption within the American mortgage market. Boasting such leading names as Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling and a near-unrecognisable Christian Bale, it’s certainly a film brimming with talent. It’s character-driven, with the plot divided between the experiences of several distinct groups in order to build a bigger picture, and in doing so, truly capturing the expanse of this economic crash. The acting is brilliant, with Carrell putting in a particularly passionate performance as cynical, Mark Baum.

Whilst I figured The Big Short was certainly going to be an intelligent film, I wasn’t quite prepared to sit what felt like a cinematic exam in US economics. And Sam was the looming invigilator. I realise he just wanted me to keep up and fully understand the depth of the film’s subject matter - and in truth, I would’ve been lost without his regular lectures - but the pressure was on. There is a lot of information in this film. And for a complete layman, it was almost overwhelming. I got my head around the nature of ‘shorting’ and the slimy world of investment banking with Sam’s help, but there were moments that it felt arduous. I was exhausted. So focused on trying to make sense of the processes that an amount of the entertainment factor was lost. Perhaps a second-viewing would be more satisfying and fluid.

Despite my struggles with understanding the world of finance, I admit The Big Short was surprisingly engaging. It moves at a good pace, and the time spent with each set of characters provides not only greater depth but some respite from the intensity. Director Adam McKay introduces a lighter tone and a welcome injection of comedy in certain scenes, even working to educate the audience via gimmicky celebrity cameos. This actually worked really well, especially alongside moments in which characters break the fourth wall.

Visually good-looking and complimented by an emotive cast, The Big Short is a fascinating watch. Whilst my ultimate takeaway comes down to that banks are sh-tty and money corrupts all, it’s a shocking film that highlights enormous injustices in the industry. I learnt a lot. And I respect that The Big Short combined this learning curve of eye-opening truths with an entertaining, movie experience. The film is heavy, but fantastic. Poignant and most definitely worth a watch.

(Top Tip-  remember to allow time for explanation breaks courtesy of your know-it-all partner.)

7.5/10

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Sam’s Review

It's stated that bankers complicate everything they do as a smokescreen to confuse you. An interesting, and correct, take. Still, if you're not in-tune with inner workings of finance, it can feel that you're watching a lecture in a foreign language. It's easy to drown in the information until frustrated. This is a film you pause. A lot. So that you can desperately search for answers, which are not very clear. Finance for dummies, anyone? In fairness, you can get by on the film's explanations. But to have a greater understanding, which I feel gives you a deeper appreciation of the outcome, pausing is necessary. At least, it was for us.

Usually, this would infuriate me. I do not expect to have to do copious amounts of research to understand the concepts that a film is explaining to me. Yet, for this one, I didn't mind. 

It's led by the fascinating Michael Burry (Christian Bale) and Mark Baum (Steve Carrell). Trained doctor, Burry leaves medicine behind to open a hedge fund. Bale plays Burry as if he is autistic, allowing the character to be atypical without alienating the audience. Baum, struggling with his anger, has a deep disdain for the immorality of banking, while also being an investment banker. He comes across as brash, and I'm phrasing that nicely because my mum reads these reviews. But there's a sadness within him, as well as solid morals, that makes me root for him. My favourite character has to be Ryan Gosling’s Jared Vennett. His confident and charming secondary role is brilliant. Reynolds is the only other Ryan that can break the fourth wall with such style.

This is a slick, fast-paced film with scathing wit. Cutting to celebrities to have them explain the intricacies of finance is genius. Allowing it to become less threatening and more digestible all at once. It's an arduous, but entertaining film. Stifled by the word count, I'll leave my lavishing praise at that.

Apparently, a few things aren’t quite exactly right. For example, some have complained that it wasn’t just a small group of people that recognised that the crisis was imminent. Yet, for the most part, The Big Short does justice to the history of the story, managing to cram as much in as possible with in the limitations of a film.

Baum was right. The banks are scamming us all, and the people are more concerned with what celebrities are doing. This is a brilliant but complicated statement.Revealing the darkness and corruption of banking, and worryingly how little people understand or care about it. “Truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry.” - Overheard at a Washington, D.C. bar.

8/10