8/10

Rating: 8/10 (9 January 2016)

A mesmerizing film. A directorial triumph that manages to overcome standard film issues with a craft that is remarkable. I still have no idea what happened technically in the 2008 crisis, but the filmmakers found a way to mold me into the narrative anyways and make me understand and care.
This film is filled with energy. It is kinetic and absorbing, it is self conscious, it breaks the fourth wall, but it is never over bearing or excessive as something like "Wolf of Wall street" was. It always gives you everything in the right dose and keeps you stuck and enchanted to the screen for its whole duration.
This film is one that truly succeeds because of the greatness of the sum of its parts, molded into one big flowing narrative that is kept together by fantastic work by Adam McKay. This was a true vision. He integrates everything seamlessly and you can't tell where the drama starts and the comedy ends, it's just one big package and it is a marvel to experience.
One thing that really struck me during the film was how well it is sound designed and how incredibly the sound is used to tell the story. Furthermore, what a soundtrack! I think this is the best we've had since "Dazed and Confused". Other than having killer songs, all of them are integrated into the film brilliantly and they are used to a fantastic effect.
Now of course the performances are great. I don't need to tell you that, we're talking about A+ talent all around. Yet still, Christian Bale manages to rise above this shaft of talent and steel the show, proving once again he is just the man.
I will have to admit that the film gives a little too much for the audience to swallow. Now I am the first that loves and praises filmmakers for trusting their audience, and they certainly do here and it pays off. Yet, I think there is a limit to everything and whilst the film never made me feel stupid nor did I ever fall behind to what was going on thanks to the narrative, there would be a scene once in a while where I would just phase out completely. People would just start talking numbers and names and would never stop for the scene and I have to admit that I would have like to get a little deeper understanding of some of the parts.
Still, I understand how difficult it must have been just to put forward some of these concepts and I applaud the filmmakers for it. This is one of the year's best movies.