Review of The Big Short (2015) by James O — 15 Jun 2016

As a basic film this works superbly and is very entertaining. Some great acting from Steve Carrell in particular and the general cast is very good. Does a good job of simplifying the jargon and the nature of the causes to the banking collapse.

Where I have a problem is that it over simplifies the reasons for the collapse by making every character a ludicrous extreme case. Most bankers, mortgage brokers and risk agencies were normal people trying to make thier way, rather than smug Gordon Gekko types exhibiting crass behaviours.

There were some real bad eggs, there were also some cases of strippers with more than one property but more often than not it was your average Joe who had over-extended himself. This oversimplification allows us to demonise aspects of society and can be dangerous.

Let's not also forget that many who shorted the housing market would not have been angels who felt guilt at profiting from other's misfortune. Many made millions and delighted in it and here's the crux.

..if the world of finance if always a gamble why shouldn't they delight in calling it right against all the odds? Forgetting all that, as a film it is well made and a decent watch.