Review of Arbitrage (2012) by Maksim B — 27 Mar 2013

Arbitrage is a tense, stylish mixture of drama and psychological financial thriller, backed up by brilliant performances, complex plot line and skillful direction. With provocative moral dilemmas raised, this movie has a delightful thought-provoking story and perfectly matches the expectations for grown-up cinematographic entertainment.

It is all about Richard Gere in this movie. A hedge-fund manager, Robert Miller (an embodiment of the financial elite of nowadays) decides to go in retirement at his 60th birthday, while he is still on the top of the financial world. With every minute passing it becomes clear what manipulative, Machiavellian person he is. Trying to cook the financials of his hedge-fund before its sale and cheating on his wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon), nothing gives a real hint how complicated would everything become. When Miller's lover gets killed in an accident in a car driven by him, his decision to escape and to try to cover up everything turns Arbitrage into an explosive dramatic thriller in which millions, freedom, reputation and family happiness are put at stake.

Director Nicholas Jarecki focuses not only on the story, but also builds up an impressive character study and provokes with several captivating moral dilemmas. The question of defending the stakeholders interests and their savings at the price of not confessing a crime, or not exposing your family of financial wrong-doing provide enough material for the audience's mind to think of. In addition, the character study of the manipulative Robert Miller, of a successful investor put with his back to the wall, of a morally bankrupt person is absolutely absorbing and holds a tight grip on everybody's attention. Richard Gere delivers a performance easily defined as brilliant and probably his best in more than a decade (actually since Primal Fear, in my opinion) . Capable of creating feelings of sympathy and detest towards his character at the same moment, Gere is polished, confident and above all more than convincing. It seems as if he has waited years to play this role and it suits him perfectly.

In a time of fast-paced, hi-tech action thrillers, the creationg of such an old-school psychological thriller, where morality and righteousness of choice are challenged, deserves more than compliments. Nicholas Jarecki, may have left some small plot questions unresolved and the character of Miller's daughter (Brooke Marling) unrealistically developed (too naive for being such a top financial manager), but this does not take anything from the overall charm and style of the movie.

Arbitrage is one of the most pleasing movies of 2012. It definitely deserved more award nods than the lonely Richard Gere's Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, but the pleasure of watching a movie is not determined by the amount of awards it received. Definitely a must see thriller!