The Big Short (2015) Director: Adam McKay

★★★★☆

The Big Short is based on Michael Lewis’s famous book of the same name. The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, and others.

It tells the story of the notorious financial and housing collapse in the United States in 2007-2009 -Michael Burry, a hedge fund manager, bets against the housing market at its height, and wins a 489% gain for his fund when it finally collapses. It also tells the story of Deutsche Bank which starts selling cheap shares against the housing market, to increase profitability for when the credit default swaps go bust. Lastly, it tells the story of Brownfield Capital, an investment firm that starts investing against the credit default swaps, shorting the housing market. They lose all faith in the wall street system but sell their shares at an enormous profit. For the most part, it is a true story of the few people who gained big by shorting the system.

The Big Short is a well-told film, with actors routinely breaking the fourth wall to explain the complicated financial instruments to the audience. It playfully explores a complicated financial dilemma as it unfolds, Ryan Gosling typically serves as the main narrator. It is also filled with plenty of cameos of other famous actors. Both Christian Bale and Steve Carell deliver excellent performances.