Margin Call

     Margin Call describes itself as a movie about the 2008 financial meltdown but it is both less and more than that. We follow one day in the lives of employees at the lowest and highest echelons of a company that very obviously stands in for Lehman Brothers. The movie's director, J.C. Chandor, goes so far as to have the CEO of the company be named Tuld (sounds similar to Fuld - Lehman's CEO at the time). The reactions of these people to the events that unfold are a chronicle of what could have been the first lost battle in the war our economy is facing. It is also a look into the motivations and beliefs held by those at the upper end of the payscale.

     The movie begins with a mass firing as Will Emerson (Paul Bettany) tells some of the junior analysts Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) and Seth Bregman (Penn Badgley) to look away and stay focused. Included in those being let go is Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci) - the senior risk analyst and Peter's boss. Right before he leaves he hands Peter a thumbdrive and tells him to "be careful." As the day goes on, most of the office leaves but Peter stays back and uses the information he received to arrive at the conclusion that the majority of Lehman's MBS (mortgage-backed securities) are worthless.

     This information is passed up from Peter to his immediate superiors Will and Sam Rogers (Kevin Spacey), to their boss Jared (Simon Baker), to a more senior analyst Sarah Robertson (Demi Moore) and finally ends up in a board meeting with CEO Tuld (Jeremy Irons). He sits at the head of the table like a medieval king, demanding to be told what's going on as he chomps on his fine food. All the way up the chain, the superiors bear their ignorance as a mark of pride, wanting the underlings to explain all the fancy figures to them. Margin Call doesn't judge the actions of its characters. It merely presents them and allows the viewer to decide whether to feel pity or disgust. Admiration surely won't be one of the choices, no matter the fancy cars and suits.

     The movie's cinematography does a good job of capturing the ominous mood of the situation. The unnatural office lighting of the building where most of the movie takes place is perfect for highlighting the harsh decisions being made and the occasional foray into the darkness of the night outside doesn't provide any respite.

     There are a fair number of scenes that are propelled forward with dialogue, whether by Spacey's Sam or Bettany's Will. However, they don't feel talky - just a couple of workers ruminating on what their life has been about. One questioning it and the other pretending not to. Spacey is especially good as a tired man who knows what must be done to "stand with the company" but feels doubt gnaw on his mind as he gives a pep rally speech to his traders to sell the worthless stock.

     Margin Call doesn't require one to be familiar with the terminology and workings of the finance industry. Just the normal human emotions that course through everyone and influence their decisions. It is a morose movie with moments of biting humor that might not leave one entertained but definitely stimulated.

Trailer