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This film takes place over a 24-hour period, like an entire season of 24. Well, maybe not, after all this movie isn't actually 24 hours long, and it's not as bad.
MARGIN CALL is more like a dramatic reenactment of the INSIDE (2010), an excellent documentary. What this film tries to accomplish is simple: 'hey, investment bankers are people too"
Eric Dale (Tucci) has worked for J.T. Marlin the same investment bank for 19 years. He's fired without any real cause. Eric was in the middle working on long-term project. Before leaving, Eric hands a USB-drive to Peter Sullivan, and warns him to "be careful",
There are many bad analogies, metaphors and platitudes. I don't know if this done purposefully, or unintentionally, that's brilliant.
- 'Our business is selling and buying.'
- 'So what your telling me: the music is about to stop, and we're going to be left holding the biggest bag of odorous excrement ever assembled in the history of capitalism.'
- 'Be first, be smarter, or cheat.'
- 'I'll do it because I need the money.'
- 'But you certainly know that business is selling and buying. Doesn't work very long without both components. We suddenly stop buying for a day or two. That's not something you hide under the rug. That gets out, and when it does, the whole thing comes to an end. And when it does the whole thing comes to an end, and right quick.'
- '...speak as you might—to a young child or a golden retriever.'
- 'Happy foxes and sad sacks.'
- 'Fat cats and starving dogs'
- 'When bulls the eat the bears, you're left with complete bullshit.'
Alright, I made that last one up.
John Tuld (Irons) is a higher-up; if I had to guess, I'd say his position was assistant vice president. This (Sir) Richard Branson wannabe, swoops down in his helicopter, and his high-priced minions bow down before him.
This movie straddles the line between compelling drama and being too preachy. There are no problems with the acting itself, or most of the dialogue, this story just unfolds in bland, predictable fashion. I can't tell if there actually is a climax in this film, every moment is equally as urgent.
After viewing this film, only one thing is abundantly clear: most actors are not smart enough to work at investment banks. I recommend watching MARGIN CALL once on basic cable, two years from today. And that, my friend, is something you can take to the bank...or not.
Final Verdict: 65 out of 100
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