The Big Short-2015

Director Adam McKay

Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell

Scott’s Review #369

Reviewed January 10, 2016

Grade: A-

The Big Short (2015) is a confusing film, and that is its intention and also its genius.

At times, I wasn’t sure how much I liked it (or got it) and found many of the characters unlikeable, but by the end, I realized that’s exactly what the filmmakers intended: a clever tactic that makes The Big Short a success.

On the surface, the film has some humor, but at its core it’s a very dark story that left me a bit depressed and terrified by the end.

I am happy that the film is receiving accolades and is the “thinking man’s” hit movie of the season.

To summarize the film, it begins in 2005, about two years before the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

Eccentric hedge fund manager Michael Burry (Christian Bale) realizes the U.S. housing market is unstable and predicts a crash.

He tries to profit by betting against the market, a move everyone around him laughs at, especially the banks that expect a windfall at Michael’s expense.

Trader and fellow market managers Jared Vennett and Mark Baum (played by Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell) hear about Michael’s theory and try to get in on the action.

A subplot follows two younger investors who try to profit with the guidance of a retired banker (played by Brad Pitt).

The financial collapse is a tender subject and certainly no laughing matter, especially since it is so recent and affects many people.

The Big Short is touted as a comedy, which is strange.

I found that the audience didn’t know exactly what to laugh at or when. The film’s “laughs” were cynical, witty, and sometimes wicked. Many people do not get this type of humor.

In real life, people were kicked out of their homes and lost their jobs, pensions, etc., all because of greed, which The Big Short hammers home.

Several scenes include frat-boy investor/trader types getting rich by enabling almost anyone to afford a new house. Little did they realize there was a catch.

The film paints a jaded picture of Wall Street. The rich get richer at the expense of the middle class and the poor. It is an age-old sad tale.

Performance-wise, Carrell and Bale stand out.

They both play damaged characters. Bale’s Michael is socially awkward and has a false eye, but is also a genius. Carrell’s Mark is angry, grizzled, and is in therapy as a result of his brother’s suicide.

Both actors are great and have developed into credible, worthy talents. Worth mentioning are small but meaningful roles by Melissa Leo and Marisa Tomei.

The Big Short is shot in an interesting, highly unusual way.

From time to time, the action stops, and a famed celebrity (Selena Gomez, a world-renowned chef, or a model in a bubble bath) explains what’s happened so far or offers a review.

Also, more than once, the actors will turn to the camera and speak directly to the audience. A personal touch that I found effective.

In the end, the message is that not much in life has changed, and that’s frightening. As one character brilliantly puts it “people will go back to blaming the poor and the immigrants”, which is a sad message.

After millions lost everything, the world hasn’t changed much, and The Big Short makes that clear. The people responsible have gotten away with crime, the banks have been bailed out, and a new scheme is undoubtedly in place.

It’s a sad world.

The Big Short (2015) is a gritty, harsh look at reality and a terrific film.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture, Best Director-Adam McKay, Best Supporting Actor-Christian Bale, Best Adapted Screenplay (won), Best Film Editing