"Margin Call" is a gem released in 2011 that unfortunately snuck under most people's radar, although it did receive an Academy Award nomination for "Best Original Screenplay". Although well written, the cast is what really stood out to me. Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, Simon Baker and Zachary (Mr. Spock) Quinto lead the top notch cast, all of who give first class performances."Margin Call" basically follows the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of a financial crisis. The movie opens showing many of the bank's employee's being layed off as a result of a downsizing plan. One of these employees is risk management division head Eric Dale (Tucci) who was working on a major analysis when notified of his fate. As he is being escorted out of the building, Dale gives the work he's started to one of his reports, Peter Sullivan (Quinto), who completes the study late into the night. What Sullivan discovers is a situation that could ruin the bank. The remainder of the movie then focuses on the next several hours where senior management (Spacey, Irons, Baker) discuss and plan what to do to avoid the mess and limit the inevitable impact on their company. The eventual strategy decided upon, was, to say the least, a bit mischievous. That's all I'll say about it!
As I said earlier, the acting was phenomenal. Spacey, Irons and Tucci have been favorites of mine for a long time, so watching them together was a a real pleasure for me. Particularly watch for the scene where all of the key characters meet in a board room with CEO John Tuld (Irons) a recent arrival via helicopter. The strategy session that ensues is ensemble acting at its best. Particularly between Irons and Spacey. Ironically, the CEO's name, John Tuld, rhymes with the name of the ex-CEO of the now-defunct investment bank Lehman Brothers, Richard S. Fuld. Lehman Brothers, like the firm in this film, found themselves catastrophically over-leveraged in mortgage-backed-securities in the financial crisis of 2008. Coincidence? We'll never know, as the movie never claims to based on any actual events or people.
I will admit, and should warn you, that the subject matter is a bit dry and gets pretty technical at times. I've seen the movie twice and still don't understand some of what was discussed! "Margin Call" is one of those movies you really have to pay attention to in order to follow what's going on. But to me, the film takes a fascinating look at what could go on behind the scenes, both good and bad, of a major investment bank, led by a top-notch cast.
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