The Big Short is a thrilling and educational movie released in 2015 covering the dramatic events in 2007-8. Based on the 2010 book by Michael Lewis, this plotline is remarkably accurate to the events leading up to and during the financial crash. Nevertheless, due to this being a Hollywood production, some of the plot was embellished for dramatic effect.
Firstly, it is essential to mention that the film incorporated many influential, genuine individuals. Including the primary persona, Michael Burry (played by Christian Bale), an investor and hedge fund manager. He is a unique character, and his stubborn and intelligent demeanour resulted in him shorting the bond market in 2007, enabling him to profit $100 million for himself and hundreds more millions for his investors. Another key figure in the movie is Jared Vennett, based on the real-life Greg Liberman, a trader at Deutsche Bank who trades swaps. Mark Baum, his real name being Steve Eiseman, also played a vital role in the film's plot. Eisman was a portfolio manager for FrontPoint Partners LLC, a trust fund of Morgan Stanley; in the film, he took a stance against subprime mortgages, which enabled him to make an immense profit for his fund.
Furthermore, the information about the market during this time was also highly accurate. During the movie, the 'housing bubble' is repeatedly mentioned. This refers to the rapid real estate growth period, which subsequently led to the crash. During the movie, there are many meetings with rating agencies, whom the majority can agree were accurately portrayed. Leading up to the crash, these rating agencies assigned high ratings to risky mortgages, leading to misinformation about security in the investments. Another essential matter highlighted by this production was the financial industry's lack of regulation and oversight, which enabled this to occur. Finally, an important thing mentioned was CDOs (Collateralized Debt Obligations). These were financial bundles of many debts (including the subprime mortgages, which tanked). Therefore, when the mortgages crashed, so did these bundles, bruising many investors. The aftermath of the crash was also accurately depicted with the fall of the Wall Street Giant Lehman Brothers.
Now, onto the creative liberties taken by Hollywood. One of the key remarks critics make is the overplay of the Morgan Stanley downall pictured in the movie. This threat was merely overplayed to highlight the film's narrative. Another critical feature dramatised was the few who expected the crash; in reality, many expected the market to correct, and even more knew it was coming yet lived in denial. Many critics also are quick to point out the film's abrupt and factually dubious end. The Lehman Brothers spotlight is barely covered, and the policies implemented by the federal government were not even mentioned. However, the movie would exceed 4 hours if the aftermath were displayed.
In conclusion, The Big Short is an educational film which is engaging and dramatic. Give this film a watch if you are interested in finance, the economy or historical movies about important events!
By Annika Bjerregaard Edited by Aurore Lebrun & Annika Bjerregaard
Glossary:
Shorting- Shorting a stock is when one predicts it will go down in value. One would borrow a security whose price you think will fall and sell it on the market. One then plans to buy back the same stock for a lower value and after repaying the initial loan, pocket the difference
loved this
such an interesting read