Wick's Review

Summary - Barely OK 2.0

Second-rate performances by first-rate stars in a second-rate thriller with a heavy-handed political agenda make Arbitrage a third-rate movie. Don’t believe the praise it’s received from the Mainstream Media. They’re in love with writer-director Nicholas Jarecki’s politics more than his movie.

About that agenda, Arbitrage opens with the big lie of Leftist economics. “Competition for this limited amount of dollars out there can make the best of us manic,” quoth Richard Gere’s hedge fund billionaire. See the Reality commentary below for how daffy that is. See the lofty praise for Arbitrage from most media outlets for how much they buy it, which is why they’ve heaped praise on an un-thrilling thriller.

Arbitrage means to buy something in one market while selling it for more in another. Try it at home. Wait to see Arbitrage for free, e.g. when Netflix gets it. The minimal entertainment value will then be worth more than you paid for it.

Acting - OK 2.5

Richard Gere so often plays self-centered studs that he’s stereotyped himself. Thus it shouldn’t be surprising that he comes across like he’s phoning in his acting in Arbitrage. He still looks great however.

Susan Sarandon also disappoints, giving no hint of her character’s suspicion or disappointment until the obviously inevitable scene where she voices deep disappointment and suspicion. This terrific actress is usually much better. Perhaps Nicholas Jarecki’s script and/or direction let her down.

Tim Roth is the movie’s lone shining star, making the routine role of world-weary NYPD homicide detective seem fresh and compelling.

Other notables:

• Brit Marling doesn’t convey the deep intelligence her Chief Investment Officer should possess.
• Laetitia Casta is plenty sufficient as The Other Woman. And the former Victoria’s Secret model still looks great in a bra.
• Nate Parker impresses as a young man trying to restart his life. Coming on top of his distinctive turns in The Great Debaters and Red Tails, it seems he deserves a shot at leading man status.
• Stuart Margolin is consummately smooth as a high powered lawyer.
• Graydon Carter’s Einstein shock of hair creates an ideal image for an erudite business mogul.
• Bruce Altman is always interesting. Why doesn’t he work more?

Film - Barely OK 2.0

Edge - Risqué 2.4

Reality - Glib 1.4

Arbitrage opens with the big lie of Leftist economics. “Competition for this limited amount of dollars out there can make the best of us manic.” Well, no. There isn’t a limited amount of dollars, or more generally of wealth. However it is an article of faith on the Left that the economic pie is of fixed size. Thus their fixation with how it’s sliced. The objective reality is that the pie changes in size, occasionally shrinking but strongly growing over any extended period of time.

BTW, the hedge fund mogul goes on to say “So it’s not surprising that we have these asset bubbles.” That’s wrong too. Asset bubbles are caused by too much money chasing too few assets, not the other way around. Thus Jarecki has Gere follow up the Big Lie with a Mid-Sized Lie. The doppio lies are intended to gull the audience from the outset. Don’t be a dope by believing them.

1 Comment

• BrianSez Jan 2, 2013 8:02AM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Hmmm… it’s using up a spot in my DVD queue. Seriously considering dropping it off now.

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