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What it's about:
Based on the true story and best-selling book by Michael Lewis The Big Short tells the story of four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the collapse of the economy. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything.
What we thought:
The Big Short is well-written, has an amazing cast and does everything right. But for some reason I just didn’t like the movie.
That happens sometimes. Everything is done right and everyone seems to love the flick, but then you watch it and you’re like: “Meh”.
I mean I could pretend to like it and write a glowing review based solely on the fact that everyone else liked it. But I’m not. I’m just going to tell it like it is. I think movie critics are sometimes careful not to write negative reviews about films that are crowd and award season favourites.
The Big Short is an adaption Michael Lewis' best-seller The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine and centres on the American housing credit bubble of the 2000s and the shit storm that followed when it popped.
Director Adam McKay does a great job at tackling a difficult subject and the cast delivers a comedic performance that steers the movie clear of all the boring business clichés. Even difficult Wall Street jargon is explained using unexpected and very creative cut-aways.
But after all is said and done I walked out of the cinema feeling underwhelmed and a tiny bit irritated that I couldn’t keep up with everything. Afterwards I quickly pulled out my phone to Google a few facts and phrases that had me scratching my head.
I doubt the average moviegoer, who doesn’t have any knowledge of the back story or the housing credit drama, will be able to 100% enjoy the film despite great performances by stars like Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Christian Bale.
I was sure I was going to like this one but it just didn’t tickle my fancy. Maybe I was just having an off day. Go watch it and decide for yourself. I dumbstruck by this one.
