Film Reviews

Margin Call

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Jeremy Irons
• Details: US/106mins 15A

A dramatic retelling of the beginning of the current financial crisis from inside the offices of one of the main offenders, Margin Call is a fascinating and well acted watch that takes in the broader picture of the shenanigans that led to the giant shitstorm we've all been caught up in, while still feeling intimate. Firmly character driven, its setting over one fateful night allows some of the fine cast to flex their most potent acting muscles.
Zachary Quinto's number cruncher at the lower end of the fiscal food chain discovers a mammoth discrepancy in the records of his investment bank. Initially noticed by Stanley Tucci's recently fired exec, Kevin Spacey's manager must alert the upper echelons of the company hierarchy to address a problem that will reverberate not just around Wall Street, but the entire global economy.
Given the type of production that it is, it would seem strange to brand Margin Call a thriller, but that's pretty much what it is. There are few more terrifying things than the recession that has occurred over the past years, and what this film does is place a magnifying glass over the kind of nonchalant, ill-informed decision making that royally messed up everything for the rest of us. It's easy to see how it attracted such a stunning cast; it's the kind of low-key filmmaking, almost theatre-like, that actors love. The focus is firmly on the characters and even the smallest roles are filled with recognisable mushes.
While there is little in the way of a lead, the focal point of the story is Quinto's bright young analyst and the Star Trek actor is excellent, showing an impressive subtlety and range. Spacey's experienced, unaware boss is the most surprising in terms of where he goes, and cinematically at least, it's his best work in years. There are no bad performances, but there are also none better than Tuccis'. His role is ostensibly small - at least initially - but his guy stays with you throughout the film. You never forget him, or that pained look in his eyes and you know at some point he'll be back.
There are some awkward exchanges between characters, and it's not always as tense as it thinks it is, but Margin Call is never less than interesting and occasionally enthralling stuff.

Review by Mike Sheridan