You Gotta Hate the Banks

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2016)

I know what I was watching was an original, cynical look at America's financial institutions criminally fraudulent rip off of the public but I was still left a little perplexed at the films end. Outstandingly directed, authentically written and superbly acted, there is no doubt that 'The Big Short' is worthy of the high praise that it has been receiving from the voices that matter. Perhaps I went into the cinema with my mind already made up that I was going to find it difficult to enjoy this film so I have made the mistake of not fully engaging properly with the narrative. As good as the movie is, it is a lot to take in when your only knowledge of the banking system is casually walking up to the ATM and expecting it to spew out its precious contents. It does though, highlight the unbelievable turn of events that brought down the American economy that resulted in the Global Financial Crisis in the first decade of this century.
The story is told through the eyes of a selection of financial 'experts' and how at different times, predicted the credit crisis and the downfall of the American economy. It's another who's who of Hollywood that sensationally entertain us with outstanding performances from each of the big name cast members. Steve Carrell is the standout as a man on the edge. His character, Mark Baum, is genuinely disgusted by what is unraveling before his eyes and cannot fathom that such banking fraud could actually happen. Christian Bale puts in another thoroughly professional performance as the eccentric Michael Burry who seems to of been the first person to indicate that a catastrophic financial fall is imminent. This all leads to the systematic betting against the banks. Throw in Ryan Gosling's zealous appearance and Brad Pitt's subdued role and it becomes a highly watchable film. Each character takes advantage of their foresight and goes about exploiting the banking institutions overconfidence. It's just great to see somebody take on the greed that motivates the system.
Well known comedy film Director, Adam McKay (Anchorman 2), has lent his expertise to a script that amusingly and sarcastically points the finger at everything that was wrong with America and perhaps the world at the time of the financial meltdown. It's the perfect ploy for such a production that's main content is still very raw in the minds of all those that have been affected; turn something that has been described as "the crime of the century" and retell the story to the masses but with a resounding cynical twist. Highlight what went wrong, who was to blame and then show the audience just how amusingly criminal it all was. McKay with the help of Charles Randolph have uniquely devised a narrative, chock full of linguistic dialogue that will most scratching their heads at what is being said but knowing that this could bore the average viewer, both writers have originated a simple way to breakdown the Wall Street 'lingo'.
Somebody like me may need to see 'The Big Short' a second time to get the full value of this uniquely told film. It does't take a genius to know you are witnessing a good bit of cinema. It is craftily written and fabulously directed, allowing us all to take a look back at our recent past, learn from the mistakes and come to terms with what really happened in the build up to the GFC.