Review of Assault on Wall Street (2013) by Jamie C — 19 Jun 2013

I didn't quite get what I expected here. That's not a criticism but the title and cover shot above are totally misleading. IMDB lists this as being entitled "Bailout: The Age Of Greed" which is a little more accurate taking in the details of the film. The poster seems to suggest some kind of Falling Down meets Die Hard. It is neither of the two.

"Assault" chronicles the capitulation of Jim(Purcell) & Rosie's(Karpluk) life when the US economy takes a massive hit. They lose their life savings, have spiralling debt and although Rosie's health condition seems to be improving they still have to meet the further costs when their medical insurance runs out.

Jim's security officer become's more and more frustrated with the brokers & lawyers who seem to be laughing & collecting at the expense of families like his. Their plight takes it's toll on Rosie's mental health to fatal effect.

The film really broods for the first hour as Jim is pushed around or just plainly ignored as he tries to find a way out of their financial woes. He is finally pushed over the limit when Rosie takes her own life.

It's a much deeper role than usual for Purcell and he is fairly convincing. Karpluk isn't around for long but she gives out a good sense of vulnerability.

Jim's friends, including Edward Furlong & Keith David, try to Jim's spirits up alas unsuccessfully. We also have John Heard & Eric Roberts thrown in as a nasty banker type and a slimy lawyer respectively.

I think the way this has been promoted will leave viewers disappointed with what they actually get. It is a fair assessment of the effect the crash had on the ordinary family and the greed and seemingly unaccountability of the rich bankers and brokers who still continued to get rich.