By Ian Bonham

The Big Short (15)

Staring : Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling

Director : Adam McKay

Writers : Adam McKay, Charles Randolph (Screenplay), Michael Lewis (Book)

Duration : 2 hours, 10 minutes

Oscar Nomination: Best Motion Picture of the Year

Oscar Nomination: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Christian Bale

Oscar Nomination: Best Achievement in Directing – Adam McKay

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay – Adam McKay, Charles Randolph

Oscar Nomination: Best Achievement in Film Editing – Hank Corwin

Now showing at Kings Bastion Leisure Cinema

Another movie based on a true story, and a very good one at that. 'The Big Short', based upon the novel of the same name by Michael Lewis tells the story of the financial crash of 2007.

We follow the story of three 'teams' who realise very early on that the housing market in the USA is built on very shaky financial foundations, and the tale is told by switching between these groups through the course of the movie.

Knowing this was going to be a film covering a complicated subject I went into this one with some trepidation. However, the movie is a comedy and at times had me genuinely laughing out loud. The complex money systems are explained in a hugely interesting and entertaining way. The movie often takes a little pause in proceedings to switch to a cut-scene with a celebrity or two explaining in simple terms what the characters are talking about. This very much helped me understand what was going on, and actually became very much more aware of the stupidity and greed that caused the crash.

All the characters, possibly with the exception of Christian Bale's Michael Burry, are entertaining and very engaging. There is a great voice-over from one character helping us along and often the characters will break the fourth wall, talking directly to the audience, which makes for some very amusing moments. The film is shot in a documentary 'fly on the wall' style, which suits the story very well with the camera grabbing some great close ups and expressions from the actors.

Basically, the characters are all placing financial bets that the American money markets will collapse well before anyone else spots there is a problem. As they investigate deeper into the problems, there is a well conveyed mounting sense of horror from all as they realise just how bad things are and what's going to happen. We all know what happened in the end, as the impact had reverberations across the world. The comedy through the film actually makes a much more measured ending all the more poignant.

A difficult story to get across to financial simpletons like myself; director and writer Adam McKay does a brilliant job. I had some real laughs, and came away feeling that I really had learned something too. The film is up for five Oscars, and I think certainly it might have the Editing Oscar in the bag, as the screen is constantly busy, but not in a way that tires you out.

Educational, amusing, some great performances - there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours.