Entertaining but I'd expected more!

Rating: 7/10 (15 January 2016)

Firstly, I loved the quirky way it was filmed, with characters speaking to the camera and little cutaways to celebs (Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez etc) explaining some of the 'technical jargon' batted about in the film. Also it does a sound job of introducing and characterising some of the the key figures in predicting the financial meltdown.
That being said, I do feel it was a little bit of a let down. As entertaining (and at times funny) as it was, that is all it was. I certainly don't think it blows viewers away or does anything special and even viewers like myself, who know somewhat about the financial collapse, will find themselves getting a little lost at times, despite the film's efforts to explain what's going on. Additionally I'm not really sure it's the best written screenplay or film editing (depending on where the blame lies) as you're left wondering what the point of the story and its characters were and what message the film was trying to get across to its viewers. Are the lead characters heroes or hypocrites? I really don't know what it wants us to believe.
I had expected this to take the best bits from both Inside Job and Margin Call and turn them into an Oscar-worthy film. If anything I'd say it falls short of both, which is a shame. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad film and is thoroughly entertaining, but if I was to advise someone, I'd say if you want to know about the financial crisis and how it was caused, watch the excellent Inside Job. If you want to watch a drama set around the financial collapse which accurately captures the extreme gravity of its repercussions, watch Margin Call.
Also on a side note, Carrell's performance trumps Bale's here and I'm a little unsure as to why Bale has received an Oscar nomination. I mean he's OK and don't get me wrong I love Christian Bale. But he's delivered much stronger performances in the past and I think Carrell gives us more from his character.
All in all a solid 7/10 film but not Oscar-worthy and won't be remembered in years to come I don't believe, which is a shame given the calibre of the cast and the story it was telling.