MARGIN CALL
***
Director: J.C. Chandor
Screenwriter: J.C. Chandor
Principal cast:
Stanley Tucci
Zachary Quinto
Paul Bettany
Kevin Spacey
Simon Baker
Demi Moore
Jeremy Irons
Country: USA
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 107 mins.
Australian release date: 15 March 2012
Margin Call is probably one of the best films so far about the global financial crisis. It reveals the behind-the-scenes machinations of an amoral finance corporation that sets out to survive (and profit further down the line) in a crisis at the expense of its investors. It also chillingly shows how those in the business of finance will quickly jettison their scruples if it means keeping their jobs and their bonuses. Sound familiar? It was directed and written by J. C. Chandor, who comes from a background in commercials and docos but, more importantly, whose father worked for Merrill Lynch for 30 years. I reckon young Chandor was taking notes at the family dinner table.
There seems to be a spate of films featuring unlikeable characters at the moment and this is one of them. Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci) is a risk management division head for a Wall Street company and he has just been given his marching orders. Like many employees who work for a corporation, he is the victim of downsizing. As he is escorted from the building, he hands a USB stick to a younger colleague, Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto – who sports the most sculptured eyebrows you are likely to see on screen!) warning him to “be careful” with the information.
Realising that the information passed on is dynamite with a lit fuse, a night of financial horror commences. Peter contacts his boss, Will Emerson (Paul Bettany - a jaded, but totally fatalistic financier), who in turn contacts his boss, Sam Rogers (Kevin Spacey - in one of his best roles to date), who is more concerned about the imminent death of his dog. Sam in turn contacts the next in line, Jared Cohen (Simon Baker - as cold as ice and exquisitely attired) and his ally, head of HR Sarah Robertson (Demi Moore - who is also looking good), who then call for the CEO John Tuld (Jeremy Irons - in a role that almost outdoes his performance as Claus von Bulow in Reversal of Fortune), who flies in by helicopter in the wee small hours of the morning to attempt to shore up the company and his own future, at whatever cost. What follows is an eye-opening exercise in deceit, greed and betrayal.
The excellent score by Nathan Larson adds tension to the claustrophobic atmosphere in the gleaming office tower that houses much of the action, as does the tight lensing by Frank G. DeMarco. Add a stellar cast and a fine script and Margin Call is a very watchable 107 minutes. It is guaranteed to make you seriously reconsider those shares you bought in good faith, in the hope that you may turn a profit in your retirement. Go forth and sell, I reckon… you have been warned.
Screenwriter: J.C. Chandor
Principal cast:
Stanley Tucci
Zachary Quinto
Paul Bettany
Kevin Spacey
Simon Baker
Demi Moore
Jeremy Irons
Country: USA
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 107 mins.
Australian release date: 15 March 2012
Margin Call is probably one of the best films so far about the global financial crisis. It reveals the behind-the-scenes machinations of an amoral finance corporation that sets out to survive (and profit further down the line) in a crisis at the expense of its investors. It also chillingly shows how those in the business of finance will quickly jettison their scruples if it means keeping their jobs and their bonuses. Sound familiar? It was directed and written by J. C. Chandor, who comes from a background in commercials and docos but, more importantly, whose father worked for Merrill Lynch for 30 years. I reckon young Chandor was taking notes at the family dinner table.
There seems to be a spate of films featuring unlikeable characters at the moment and this is one of them. Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci) is a risk management division head for a Wall Street company and he has just been given his marching orders. Like many employees who work for a corporation, he is the victim of downsizing. As he is escorted from the building, he hands a USB stick to a younger colleague, Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto – who sports the most sculptured eyebrows you are likely to see on screen!) warning him to “be careful” with the information.
Realising that the information passed on is dynamite with a lit fuse, a night of financial horror commences. Peter contacts his boss, Will Emerson (Paul Bettany - a jaded, but totally fatalistic financier), who in turn contacts his boss, Sam Rogers (Kevin Spacey - in one of his best roles to date), who is more concerned about the imminent death of his dog. Sam in turn contacts the next in line, Jared Cohen (Simon Baker - as cold as ice and exquisitely attired) and his ally, head of HR Sarah Robertson (Demi Moore - who is also looking good), who then call for the CEO John Tuld (Jeremy Irons - in a role that almost outdoes his performance as Claus von Bulow in Reversal of Fortune), who flies in by helicopter in the wee small hours of the morning to attempt to shore up the company and his own future, at whatever cost. What follows is an eye-opening exercise in deceit, greed and betrayal.
The excellent score by Nathan Larson adds tension to the claustrophobic atmosphere in the gleaming office tower that houses much of the action, as does the tight lensing by Frank G. DeMarco. Add a stellar cast and a fine script and Margin Call is a very watchable 107 minutes. It is guaranteed to make you seriously reconsider those shares you bought in good faith, in the hope that you may turn a profit in your retirement. Go forth and sell, I reckon… you have been warned.