A great explanation of the mechanics of the financial crisis of 2007/08

Rating: 8/10 (2 January 2016)

This movie is best seen as an explanation of how the financial markets crashed in 2007/2008. It is very well done, and not just because it's Margot Robbie doing (some of the) explanation in a bubble-bath.
Other than that, it is funny at times, tries to make you care about some of the characters (like Steve Carrel's character and his relationships with his wife and brother), but, actually, all that is for its main purpose - the explanation. A dull explanation of all of this, with some charts, would not have done a good job. It would feel dry and detached. I actually tried doing the "required" reading on this a few years ago and just gave up - for someone not in the financial industry, it's just way too much unknowns to grasp in a short time.
It is also nice that it doesn't try to be preachy or condemning. Things are as they are. If you learn that you shouldn't trust your banker and/or financial adviser just because they wear nice suits, have great hair and a good education, that's good. But, if you don't, that's fine too. Also, about your banker, she's just trying to make a living, she didn't invent the system. She should find some honest work instead, though.