Review of Margin Call (2011) by Mikael K — 01 Mar 2012

J.C. Chandorâ(TM)s first feature length movie is an intense drama about an investment bank where one risk analyst is among the first people to see the signs of the financial crisis of 2007. The story spans 36 hours, during which the hopeless situation is being analyzed and the biggest shots in the bank concoct a plan to minimize their own losses.

âMargin Callâ? is said to be inspired by true events in some unnamed investment bank (Lehman Brothers has been suggested), and it does indeed feel like a through and through plausible story.

Chandor directs a dream cast (Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto who also producesâ¦) with artistic vision. The script is at times a bit overstating, but as a whole reaches a level thatâ(TM)s very sharp and insightful.

The film is very bold in its statements about the vulnerability of macroeconomics and the impossible sustainability of manic growth. The film opens with the investment bank conducting major layoffs with short-term profit margin in mind. The thematic connection to the financial crisis canâ(TM)t be overlooked. Chandor seems to be stating a by now common sentiment among economists: the current system only benefits a few in the longer run, and in a truly long run it will not hold.