Margin Call (2011)

The Very Best

8.6

Movie

United States of America
English
Drama, Thriller
2011
J. C. CHANDOR
Aasif Mandvi, Al Sapienza, Ashley Williams
107 min

What it's about

A thriller that revolves around the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the financial crisis.

The take

A thoughtful drama about the financial crisis, Margin Call is gripping. Seriously, even something as convoluted as the 2008 global economic meltdown is not only accessible and understandable, but it's gripping. Margin Call transports you to the heart of Wall Street, both the financial institutions and the street, literally. It is exciting, well-acted and informative. Uh, also: Kevin Spacey.

Comments

I loved it. I think a lot of the other films about the financial crisis are either documentaries that get a bit lost in the weeds(think Too Big to Fail) or focus too heavily on individual people(The Big Short). On the other hand, Margin Call focuses on how the system reacts to failure. It’s a disaster film with no heroes – there are no clear cut good or bad characters, just grey areas. A realistic but approachable look into the lives of high powered financiers as they scramble to save themselves from a disaster of their own making.

Add a comment

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

Problemista (2024)

Dark, weird, poignant, and funny, this debut feature by Los Espookys star Julio Torres is a modern parable of the American Dream

8.6

The Guilty (2018)

A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.

9.0

White God (2014)

An unpleasant, bizarre, yet brilliant drama about the dark side of man and his best friend

7.3

The Glass Castle (2017)

A disjointed, but still touching, adaptation of the audacious family memoir

6.7

How to Have Sex (2023)

A drunken summer vacation turns melancholy in this sober observation of teenage rites of passage

7.7

Betty Blue (1986)

Artistic frustration is only temporarily sated by love in this erotic, supposedly psychological, drama

6.5

The Beautiful Game (2024)

A heartwarming lesson in belonging and humility following the sports movie formula

7.0

Spermworld (2024)

People take family planning into their own hands in this fascinating look into sperm donation online

7.3

LaRoy, Texas (2024)

Blackmail and betrayal intersect in this small town Texan crime comedy

7.0

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

A star-studded and riveting legal drama with a blockbuster feel.

8.1

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.