Movie Review and Lessons Learned: The Big Short

The Big Short, more like the big shots. Am I right? This biographical movie about business and financial crises boasts a rather impressive cast which includes Christian Bale (The freaking Batman!) and Steve Carell (A not-so-bad comedian). Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling entered the fray as major characters too.

What kind of movie would attract these A-Listers? Especially, what kind of documentary-esque movie would attract such fame?

Well, The Big Short is a rather unique take on the financial crisis of '07-'08 where the housing market of America crashed and along with it, global economy. The premise alone wouldn't seem so promising if it weren't for the execution of the cast members and the writers involved.

Imagine Wolf of Wall Street humour if they focused it more on the crisis itself, rather the crisis that is Leonardo diCaprio. You've got The Big Short. Economical crises are extremely heavy subjects, so to be able to eloquently explain terms foreign to the fiscally apathetic, they got random yet useful celebrity cameos including Selena Gomez! The writers made the movie extremely lighthearted and digestable for those who have not picked up a paper and have not read the business section if they did. However, I would go for a second viewing to clear up some doubts because at some points, it was truly an information overload. However, the humour is entertaining enough that I wouldn't mind a second viewing.

There was also this heart wrenching back story for one of the characters who is an otherwise "prick" disillusioned by the system. I won't want to give up too much but it gets pretty sad. 

So, it was well written, funny and at some points heart wrenching, I must applaud the writers and directors behind this movie. The actors all played their roles really well (Christian Bale is a really good actor since I thought it was actually Jim Carrey the whole time he was on screen)

So, now we know it was a good movie but what did I take from it. Basically, our economy is boned. The problem is that banks can be bailed out by the government by using tax payers dollars which could cause many people to lose their jobs and houses while the top percentage remain living comfortably.

Knowing the problem, we should acknowledge a solution. Self-sustainability. If all economic systems fail, in order to survive, the best way is to be self sustainable. If you can muster up enough money right now, to buy a small patch of land, organic seeds, a water purification system and some solar panels, irregardless of the economic outcome of the outside world, you might survive. What is most important is that you have enough food, water and shelter to live. Hell, in a world without a functioning economic system, luxuries would be meaningless and any excess supplies you have would be worth a mighty barter.

Anyways, this movie was really good. I would recommend everyone who has any interest in current affairs, the economy and our future should watch it. 8.5/10



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Sean Wang