Director: J.C. Chandor
Starring: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, Demi Moore, Kevin Spacey, Simon Baker, Jeremy Irons, Penn Badgley, Mary McDonnell
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 107 Minutes
Synopsis: A thriller that revolves around the key people at a investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the financial crisis.
MARGIN CALL is a tension-fuelled financial meltdown drama that takes place over 36 hours in a generic Wall Street investment bank early on in that financial catastrophe of 2008.
Whether it’s based on a company in reality is debatable but it definitely echoes Goldman Sachs, who at the time moved quicker than any other major investment company to avoid the global financial crisis. The business we focus on in MARGIN CALL also has to make a multi-million dollar decision to sell all their assets, if they want to survive long-term as a company.
What’s particularly commendable is how it doesn’t specifically target any character as the archetypal villain, which is unexpected, nor does it focus on something fast-paced and somewhat emotionless like the cut-throat fictional world of Michael Douglas. Moral decisions are wonderfully counterbalanced with financial ones as the loyal employees obviously want to keep their jobs but also have their own intentions. It’s very rare that a drama-thriller of this ilk can retain that balance.
Paul Bettany stands-out as the more experienced broker Will Emerson, who at one point – quite literally – stands on the edge of life of death and yet, we somehow still connect with his character. There’s Zachary Quinto as Peter Sullivan, who plays a genius in the wrong job but he’s a focal point from the beginning. We also get to see the legendary Jeremy Irons as CEO John Tuld, who shares screen time alongside Kevin Spacey’s Sam Rogers, who has managed his floor and staff for 34 years. Both of their characters have their demons, yet both of them hold their own as their characters and in the narrative. Stanley Tucci, who co-stars, deserves your attention and it’s good to see Demi Moore in a more stern and challenging business role.
Although it doesn’t have that shock-factor, its does give us great, compelling characters and with it holds your focus as you wait to find out what happens next. All-in-all, MARGIN CALL is intelligent, confident and well worth it. Add in a very notable ensemble cast and it is perfect DVD/Blu-ray fodder for anyone interested in a topical drama that invests on a different side of those usual financial scenarios or expectations.
Extras: Revolving Door: Making Margin Call. Deleted Scenes, Deleted Scenes with Commentary, Missed Calls; Moments with Cast & Crew, From the Deck: Photo Gallery
MARGIN CALL is released on 12th November and can be ordered on Blu-ray and DVD.
