'The Big Short' A Review

The Big Short is a dramedy about the 2007 housing crisis based on the 2010 book of the same name. Ex-neuroscientist and creator of Scion Capitol Michael Burry(Christian Bale) predicts the housing bubble will burst and creates then invests in credit default swaps based on this eventuality. Trader Jared Vennett(Ryan Gosling) hears about these unorthodox trades and solicits FrontPoint investment group headed by anti-establishment chronic rager Mark Baum(Steve Carrell) to do the same. The third group is a small investment group formerly based out of a garage who ropes in former Wall Streeter Ben Rickett(Brad Pitt) to also invest in credit default swaps. The film follows these three groups as they discover the bubble, research it, come up against the unwillingness of the financial industry to recognize the impending crisis, and its eventual fallout.

Across the board the ensemble cast puts in big but authentic energized performances appropriate for the freneticism of the financial industry, the main cast is not only star studded but the supporting cast is a parade of notable character actors and playful cameos. Bale and Carrell are the most intriguing and fully formed. Bale as the socially awkward numbers wiz and Carrell as the conflicted moral crusader are the heart of the film providing an emotional arc and guiding light in the otherwise morally bankrupt situation. Among the cadre of excellent actors Jeremy Strong was the surprise as Vinnie one of Baum's employees, incredibly committed and magnetic.

The film does a great job of balancing humor and clarity of circumstance, the situation by nature is complicated and much time is spent on elucidating the convoluted mess with alacrity. Film technique is on full display with cuts, stills, breaking of the fourth wall, narration etc. in order to create a palatable and entertaining film out of a situation that can seem hopeless and depressing.

More drama than comedy, faced paced, elucidating and enjoyably erratic.

See It.