Review of Margin Call (2011) by Matt L — 23 Dec 2013

"Margin Call" is one of those films that you see a trailer for and say "Oh wow! A film depicting the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis! It will be cool to be able to see how that played out so I can understand it better!" Yes I thought the same thing leading up to my viewing of the film. The subject matter along with an impressive ensemble cast almost ensured this film could be labeled as a must see. Unfortunately, as part of me feared, "Margin Call" takes off too quickly and leaves the audience behind in a sea of financial jargon and business vernacular.

This isn't to say that it isn't a well-crafted film. The acting is well done, particularly by Jeremy Irons who plays the slimy CEO of the investment company, and it provides a good look at what these powerful investment bankers must have looked like once aware this financial crash was upon them. However, it all seems to move to fast and decisions are being made left and right as these characters scramble to save themselves before the shit hits the fan. It even seems like the film begins to recognize its own complexity when Jeremy Irons' character requests Zachary Quinto to explain the situation to him, "As if I am a child...or a golden retriever". YES, FINALLY everything can finally be broken down for me and the other audience members who don't have degrees in business economics and MBAs. Cue further disappointment...things become a clearer but for the most part I was still left in the woods for the entire film trying to break the situation down for myself.

Now, do I have myself to blame for my own confusion? Should I be a little more informed and educated about the stock market and investment banking? Perhaps, but how many people, not involved in that field professionally, can honestly say that they are well versed in those matters enough to explain the key details that the film shows? If I had to answer that question, I would say that in an average movie audience, not many. However, this film could end up providing an unintentional positive that is brought on by its own confusion. Perhaps the average person should be more informed and more knowledgeable about their finances and learn what risks to take and what risks to avoid. The film proves to be a learning experience both for the viewer and for the characters in the film. It could be looked at how the powers in the financial field operate and what needs to be changed to avoid financial crashes such as these. Or, like Jeremy Irons' character explains, this is how the economic cycle works and that crashes and recessions are guaranteed to happen and that we simply have to wait them out (which is much easier for people in his position who has significant funds already stashed away for a rainy day). This is why it is very difficult to sympathize with any of the characters because we know they earn significant salaries so when they lose their jobs, not many tears will be shed for them.

Either way, I feel the film was a missed opportunity to truly shed light on a situation that affected so many people and set the nations' economy into a tailspin. J.C. Chandor does direct the film well and even though we may not understand many of the conversations the characters are having, credit has to be given to Chandor and the actors for making those conversations sometimes thrilling to watch even though we may not have one lick of an idea of what they are saying.