THE BIG SHORT (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Big Short—based on true events of the late 2000s decade—manages a surprisingly intense, suspense filled, pulse-pounding effect throughout its story. The premise can be a bit hard to follow and to understand what is at stake if one is not schooled in finance and economics; but all of us, who are still living in the aftermath and reaping the consequences of real estate related banking decisions, made before the global economic collapse, and who are looking for a brighter future, will understand enough to appreciate this film. There is some nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Michael Burry (Christian Bale) figures out that the real estate loan market is going to collapse around the year 2007. He benefits from this knowledge by creating a Credit Default Swap Market and allows banks and other revenue sources to help him in this situation. Other people get wind of this investment maneuver and duplicate the strategy with their own band wagon and the show is ‘on’.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Adam McKay. Thank you to Executive Producers Kevin J. Messick and Louise Rosner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), Lewis Ranieri (Rudy Eisenzopf), Mark Baum (Steve Carell),  Fund Manager (Casey Groves), Lewis Bond Traders (Charlie Talbert and Harold Gervais), and Goldman Sachs Sales Representative (Vanessa Cloke).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Excellently acted, timing perfectly orchestrated, intense drama…worth your dollar on every count, but definitely written for an audience with specialized investment knowledge.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers