Margin Call

Review by Sean Lynch

Every few years a film comes around that isn't so much entertaining, enjoyable or informative as it is just simply captivating.

Make no bones about it, Margin Call explores the tricky financial world of Wall Street and the events that led to one of the greatest Global Financial Crisis' the world has ever known in enough detail to satisfy even the most knowledgeable numbers-men... but bugger me if I still can't work out what a single word meant.

What I do know is that I was glued to the screen from beginning to end. Perhaps this says more about me than the film itself - but my point is simple : regardless of your economic knowledge, Margin Call works.

Set in the high-stakes world of the financial industry, Margin Call is an entangling thriller involving the key players at an investment firm during one perilous 24-hour period in the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. 

When an entry-level analyst unlocks information that could prove to be the downfall of the firm, a roller-coaster ride ensues as decisions both financial and moral catapult the lives of all involved to the brink of disaster.

What makes this work is simple : performances. 

Much like Clooney's Ides Of March, despite the familiar territory tread (by now, thanks to Wall Street and Boiler Room, we know Wall Street jerks are just that - jerks) the sheer level of acting ability on screen (Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell and Demi Moore) is awe inspiring. 

Simply watching these folks do what they were born to do, in close ups, is a joy to behold.

The script from J.C. Chandor is wonderful and somehow manages to give everyone just enough meat to chew on without alienating the pacing of the film itself. Think of it as The Avengers without explosions.

A wonderful film which, ultimately, leaves you incredibly depressed knowing these mega-rich dingleberries are in charge of everything - and always will be. As Jeremy Irons' ruthless John Tuld (up there with Gordon Gecko in terms of cinematic bad guys if you ask my opinion) states :

"So you think we might have put a few people out of business today... Its just money; its made up. Pieces of paper with pictures on it so we don't have to kill each other just to get something to eat. It's not wrong. And it's certainly no different today than its ever been. Happy foxes and sad sacks. Fat cats and starving dogs in this world. Yeah, there may be more of us today than there's ever been. But the percentages - they stay exactly the same".

Well worth seeing before it leaves screens.

4 out of 5

Margin Call
Australian release: 15th March, 2012
Official Site: Margin Call
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore
Director: J.C. Chandor