Rob and I have decided to make a twist on the challenge where we will be looking at Oscar related films first before moving into going back to look at different Oscar winners from the past.
Director: Adam McKay
Writer: Adam McKay, Charles Randolph (Screenplay) Michael Lewis (Book)
Starring: Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Rafe Spall, Brad Pitt, Melissa Leo, Karen Gillan, Marisa Tomei
Plot: Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Comes Up Short
Story: The Big Short starts as Jared Vennett (Gosling) explains the how banking became the biggest industry in America until it all came crashing down in 2008. We go onto meet the few people that predicted this collapse Michael Burry (Bale) who makes a drastic step to invest against the housing bonds, Jared is has jumped on the bandwagon who tries to sell the idea to investor Mark Baum (Carell). When two young upstarts learn of the potential collapse they discuss it with former experienced banker Ben Rickert (Pitt).
We watch how Michael has to deal with his investors questioning his idea and Mark trying to expose all the fraud going on within America. Ben and his young bankers struggle to uncover what is really going on as they look like they will be losing all the money that put into this scheme.
The Big Short is a story that comes off important but is about an extremely boring subject. The story bounces between the character leaving us feeling confused about what each one is doing even when we get the characters talking to us the audience about what is happening it feels like they are just talking to us in a condescending manor. I do understand this one of the more important part of recent history but it is told in a way where we only seeing investor side rather than any of the victims of the story.
Actor Review
Christian Bale: Michael Burry is the mathematician who learns about this collapse in the future, he investors nearly all of his company’s money in capitalising on this happening as rumours start to circulate once he starts making his first moves. He is difficult to work with but know his stuff. Christian is great in this role with most of his scenes in one location.
Steve Carell: Mark Baum is an investor that suffered a personal tragedy but when his team learn what Jared is doing they want in as they investigate what is happening even if they start by losing money. Steve shows yet again that he can do serious roles with his great performance.
Ryan Gosling: Jared Vennett hears about what Michael was doing before jumping in on the idea, he sells the idea to Mark and others while trying to continue to make money himself. Ryan is good in this role without really getting enough screen time.
Brad Pitt: Ben Rickert is a retired banker that gets talked into helping to young bankers expose this scheme, he hates banking and the affects it has on people’s lives but believes he is helping show a real cause. Brad is good in this support role.
Support Cast: The Big Short has a massive supporting cast that all do well in the role.
Director Review: Adam McKay – Adam steps out of his comfort zone of comedy to handle an interesting story, but doesn’t give us enough to make this an easy watch.
Biographical: The Big Short shows how the bankers and investors dealt with the bank crash.
Settings: The Big Short uses a mix of settings which sometimes works but other times ends up getting mixed up.
Suggestion: The Big Short is only one to try because I feel people will get lost trying to keep up with. (Try It)
Best Part: The performances are great.
Worst Part: The story is hard to keep up with.
Believability: Based on the real events involved.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Awards: Nominated for 4 Golden Globes
Oscar Chances: Could get some nods.
Budget: $28 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 11 Minutes
Tagline: This is a true story
Overall: Difficult to follow but great performances.
Rating
