Directed by : Adam McKay
Written by : Charles Randolph, Adam McKay
Starring : Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Jeremy Strong, John Magaro, Finn Wittrock, Brad Pitt, Hamish Linklater
Release Date : December 11, 2015
Based on a true story; with some liberties taken, "The Big Short" is at times exhilarating, can be confusing, and somewhat frightening, because it's amazing how the incredulous events that took place in the movie actually happened in real life. This is at the same time a history lesson, a cautionary tale, and a social commentary, about how the world revolves around money and wealth a little too much. As the movie proposes, greed is the enemy, but our protagonists are also essentially using greed to fight back against them.
The way the story is told as directed by Adam McKay is kinetic and energetic, especially considering the subject matter. There's a running narration explaining things, characters who break the 4th wall, visual montages, and even some creative segments explaining some of the jargon and concepts that are essential to understand the plot. It blends a documentary style, to a dramatization, and even a comedy. The funny moments adds a much needed levity to some of the heavier themes that the movie tackles.
At the heart of this movie are these separate groups of people who come across this alarming information about the eventual housing market crash. The strong ensemble cast does a great job in bringing our lead characters to life, and make them entertaining enough to follow. It becomes somewhat of a David vs Goliath story, as well as a Chicken Little tale. However the moral dilemma for the audience is that while we want to root for our protagonists to be proven right, it also means that we're essentially also rooting for a world economic disaster.
I suppose the biggest achievement that "The Big Short" has, is that it made a story about a financial crisis entertaining to watch. Some may argue that it's more style than substance, but even if that's true, the subject matter is too fascinating not to check this movie out.
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