An Era of Fraud

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2015)

In what is probably 2015 best ensemble piece alongside Spotlight, The Big Short also turns out to be one of the best films of the year. Focusing on the 2008 financial crisis, The Big Short takes a different approach to the crisis than the 2011 film, Margin Call, in that this deals with 4 very different people in their route to take down the banks when they predicted the downfall a few years prior.
First and foremost, the cast is phenomenal. Sure, you have Brad Pitt being Brad Pitt, Christian Bale being unrecognizably good, Ryan Gosling bringing humor and charm, and Steve Carell nearly stealing the entire film, but the supporting cast also deliver formidable performances all around. Everyone from Melissa Leo, Karen Gillian, and Max Greenfield, all the way to the great cameos that help serve the story, do a phenomenal job.
They aren't just throwaway cameos either, Adam McKay uses them is a uniquely comedic way. Being that this story involves big financial terms and phrases that may be confusing and boring to some (the film acknowledges that), the film takes a break and explains to us what's happening using a celebrity in dummy form.
This film is a drama by definition, but there's a large comedic presence to the film that balances it out really well. I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering McKay's previous directorial efforts, but it was still refreshing to see, especially in an Oscar bait type of film.
If nothing else, these types of films are a wake up call to ensure this doesn't happen again. I knew a little bit about the crisis beforehand, and while this film didn't make my jaw drop in terms of new information, I did leave the theater knowing a lot more than I did prior. I'm sure it will get plenty of Oscar attention with hopeful nominations to Bale, Carell, and McKay. Definitely check out The Big Short
+Tremendous cast
+McKay's writing and directing drove the film
+Self aware
+Balance of comedy and drama
9.2/10