BrianSez's Review

Summary - Great 4.0

A fantastic fictional accounting of the demise of wall street investment banks. Starting with an insider discovery that the house of cards was about to tumble, the mostly steely executives craft a plan to save themselves despite the mayhem that is about to unfold around them. A terrific cast add the drama and suspense necessary to turn what could have been an overly abstract topic in to a great film.

Acting - Great 4.0

You gotta love this cast. From old hands to relative newcomers. Stanley Tucci is the focus as a let go manager that discovered the mess that was coming down, and then taking the ‘F-it’ attitude when it became time to help again. Kevin Spacey is a mainstay in the film as an emotionally torn executive with a cool head but a devastating loyalty to his firm. Jeremy Irons is fantastic as the balls of steel head honcho that leads is team in to the abyss. Simon Baker as the young and tough executives that is surely Jeremy’s protege. Paul Bettany is more of a lieutenant in this financial army – but he equally is great at the tough and callous routine. Demi Moore is more along for the ride as a financial architect who is told to take the fall. Last but not least are the pair of Zachary Quinto who breaks the bad news to everyone and his drinking buddy Penn Badgley – both of whom do some great acting as well.

Film - Great 4.0

This film is a textbook case of how to pump up the tension and thrills through use of great dramatic acting. The stress inducing music helped as well. Of course, we are all fresh on the heels of a miserable downturn helped along by firms such as this – so the topic is relevant an intensely interesting.

Edge - Tame 1.1

Reality - Glib 1.3

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