Movie: Arbitrage
Cast: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth
Director: Nicholas Jarecki
Rating: ***1/2
‘Arbitrage’ is Gere’s best performance since ‘Brooklyn’s Finest’. The complexity of the plot makes this thriller one of the best cunning films of our time. Typically, any film revolving around financial fraud would focus on a company, its investors and the effect on the workforce or the economy. However, ‘Arbitrage’ solely focuses on one person’s mistake and the price he had to pay to keep his family together.
Richard Gere aka Robert Miller, a successful financial mogul and the owner of a trading empire, tempted by a seemingly lucrative business proposal, borrows $400 Million for his company and hopes to return the money as soon a proposed merger with a bank is completed. Unfortunately, the entire process takes more time than anticipated.
To add to the woes, Robert gets embroiled in federal investigation in connection with a car accident involving his art-dealer Julia, whom he’s been secretly seducing. Meanwhile, Brooke Miller, sincere daughter of Robert, figures out that her father has been fiddling with lot of numbers in the company’s funds. As the misdeeds pile on, it’s up to Robert to take control over the situation and ensure things don’t become worse.
Gere takes up the role with lot of conviction and delivers a commanding performance. The director introduces the gray shade in Robert’s character quite early on to keep the audience hooked. The storyline takes quite a few turns before coming to an unexpected final act. What I really liked about the film is the fact that it successfully managed to build tension with every passing minute.
Robert’s role is plagued with an element of self-doubt and the actor carries it stylishly. The risks he takes are well calculated and orchestrated with lot of eye for detailing. For example; soon after the car crash, Robert refrains from calling for a ride from his mobile and instead uses a pay phone.
The film teases you throughout and takes you to the point where you’re left wondering who to cheer for. In this battle between good versus evil, don’t be surprised if you’re presented with an output you never anticipated.
Tim Roth and Susan Sarandon have very minimal powerful parts in the film to play. Especially, the latter delivers a stroke of brilliance towards the end in a scene where she confronts Robert. It’s one of the best scenes in the film that can’t go unnoticed.
This is Nicholas’s first full-length feature film, but boy he shows tremendous finesse in direction. Yes, it’s Richard at his best in the role as Robert Miller, but mind you the strings to that puppet is in the hands of the puppeteer – Nick, who takes extra effort to ensure Gere produces one more career best performance.
