ClichÃ©s overload at times but a well-executed film nevertheless

Rating: 7/10 (25 March 2020)

"The Big Short" has an unsexy plot, the banking crisis of 2008. Directed by Adam McKay and based on the book of the same name plus the subtitle "Inside the Doomsday Machine", we follow different people in the business with one very particular thing in common: they foresee the coming crisis. Christian Bale as the Asperger-like heavy metal fan of a hedge fund operator Michael Burry, and Steve Carrell as the fumingly unstable and neurotic Mark Baum are arguably the main stars of this financial drama. They do get some very nice support from others such as Brad Pitt disguised in a beard, a black haired Ryan Gosling, and a soft-spoken Marisa Tomei. The whole cast does a great job, and each character is distinguishable from the others, making no one in the ensemble feel excessive. "The Big Short" moves fast and if you stop paying attention for a short moment, it'll be hard keeping up with the rest of the plot. Using business terms, it's crucial to always stay focused, meaning it's not one of those lay back and enjoy kind of movies. Overall, it is a well-written movie, but the New Yorker top of the chain business men cliches are somewhat tiresome. The way the characters talk have been seen numerous times on film before and "The Bit Short" could benefit from using another type of language or attitude at times. Finally, a shout out should be made to John Magaro and Finn Wittrock playing the aspiring duo behind the Brownfield Fund who teams up with Brad Pitt's character. These three should definitely have had more screen time as their storyline is the most enjoyable in this big banking thriller.