Movie Review: The Big Short (2015)

Hello all,

So I’ll admit, for this one I basically ran in just as the movie started because I had the wrong start time. Like no trailers or anything just pure starting point. Anyone who knows me knows that I fucking hate when that happens, so I’ll try my best to not let that alter my view but GODDAMN IT I HATE IT WHEN I DO THAT! So, despite that, is the film any good? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - Starting before the 2007 banking crisis, four outsiders of the Wall Street financial system saw an opportunity to profit from the impending crisis, by forming a new way to bet against the system that was about to burst. This movie is the mostly accurate retelling of what these men did and everything they uncovered.

Pros - As a completely math illiterate person, I honestly thought I’d get lost in all the financial talk, but the film actually approaches explaining the financial terms in ways that are pretty funny, and informative, without feeling like we’re being talked down too. I actually managed to understand everything and feel like I can explain about 90% to someone else, which for me is good. It’s also a remarkably self aware film, as there are fourth wall breaks to explain things, even going so far as to point out how a key part of the story got re - written versus how it actually played out in real life. Everyone in this film is giving the acting there all, and Ryan Reynolds as the main narrator does awesomely. It’s also very well written and plays out really well.

Cons - This movie is very dialogue heavy. A lot of it is about financial stuff, and as much as you do get great insights into everyone’s personal identities, a lot of people will probably find all the financial talk off putting if they have no interest in the story or it’s subject matter.

Final Score - 9/10

It’s a little dialogue heavy for some, but overall I really enjoyed the movie and it also made me very mad at how the whole thing played out. How the fuck did nobody get arrested? Why did we bail out the banks? Why didn’t we change the rules?........I’m rambling.

I really should do a retro review of Point Break before I go see the remake, although the remake admittedly lower on my list of films to see. I’ll try to squeeze the films in when I can, but I might have to do like a year end wrap up of the leftover films all in one list. We’ll see how it goes

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.