Friday, January 22, 2016

The Big Short

You wonder how much some of these characters really cared about the fate of the American masses during the 2008 economic crisis.

It's plausible that those who did care did in fact care.

Without them caring however, The Big Short does turn into a celebration of sorts of the lucky 0.00000000000001% who prospered excessively while the unknowing majority was ruined.

Conscience or convenience?

Without them the film definitely would have been tough to take.

Perhaps not.

It's really well written, constant motion following multiple characters who analyze their subject matter and conduct their research from varied perspectives, these perspectives vivaciously instructing audiences in paradigmatic peculiarities which crippled the global economy, while introducing several tertiary adjuncts who often make more than one appearance (editing by Hank Corwin) and diversify its critique of unsustainable capitalist expansion by illustrating both the reckless joys and famished dreams of the lenders and borrowers caught up in early 21st century frenzied financing.

Writers Charles Randolph (screenplay), Adam McKay (screenplay), and Michael Lewis (Book) may have been able to extract the ethical from this frame without stalling its momentum although the ethical focus does transport its erudite pedestrianism to the realm of the imaginative flâneur.

Holy crap The Big Short takes a lot of shots at the chaotic mechanics which oddly upheld American markets for a significant chunk of time and the people who profited from the resultant unrestrained disillusioning economic creativity.

It's a shame because the rampant charlatanism had given people earning modest livings the chance to live the American dream, houses, cars, microbrewed beer, poutine, it was just totally foundationless and eventually crashed unrepentantly, with basically no penalties, and according to The Big Short and recent forecasts by a Scottish bank, is ready to start frothingly socioproselytizing once more.

What do you do, do you live within your means without accumulating much debt or mortgage your life away and enjoy whatever you can get your hands on?

Can't answer that question, but sustainable development seems more profitable to me in the long run, conserving immaculate environmental and technological wonders in turn while eagerly seeking out sources of cultural and scientific mutation.

I did leave the theatre wondering if I had just seen one of the best films of the year or an exceptional Pop-Up Video collage.

But upon further reflection, I do think The Big Short is a contender, even if it's kind of raw-raw.

Thought-provoking conscientious unnerving entertainment.

Worth subsequent viewings, strong cast, well put together.

No comments: