Margin Call (2011)

Follows the key people at an investment bank, over a 24-hour period, during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis.

Director:

J.C. Chandor

Writer:

J.C. Chandor

Stars:

Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Spacey	...	Sam Rogers
Paul Bettany	...	Will Emerson
Jeremy Irons	...	John Tuld
Zachary Quinto	...	Peter Sullivan
Penn Badgley	...	Seth Bregman
Simon Baker	...	Jared Cohen
Mary McDonnell	...	Mary Rogers
Demi Moore	...	Sarah Robertson
Stanley Tucci	...	Eric Dale
Aasif Mandvi	...	Ramesh Shah
Ashley Williams	...	Heather Burke
Susan Blackwell	...	Lauren Bratberg
Maria Dizzia	...	Executive Assistant
Jimmy Palumbo	...	Security Guard
Al Sapienza	...	Louis Carmelo

Storyline

A respected financial company is downsizing and one of the victims is the risk management division head, who was working on a major analysis just when he was let go. His protégé completes the study late into the night and then frantically calls his colleagues in about the company's financial disaster he has discovered. What follows is a long night of panicked double checking and double dealing as the senior management prepare to do whatever it takes to mitigate the debacle to come even as the handful of conscientious comrades find themselves dragged along into the unethical abyss.

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Plot Keywords:

financial crisis | financial disaster | financial thriller | capital management | investment fraud | 

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Taglines:

Be first. Be smarter. Or cheat.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2010 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.

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Goofs

Jared asks Ramesh "What time is it?", Ramesh checks his wristwatch and says "2:15". A few moments later, the actor puts the hand to his mouth, revealing the face of the watch, and it shows a different time than 2:15.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Seth Bregman: Just like that? Jesus Christ! Are they going to do it right here?
Will Emerson: You guys ever been through this before?
Seth Bregman: No.
Will Emerson: It's best to keep your head down and ignore it. Keep your head down and go back to work.

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Crazy Credits

Several names are listed as the "Jeremy Irons Visa Miracle Team" who were able to get Irons into the US to film his scenes in New York City.

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Connections

References Batman (1966)

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Soundtracks

Booty Drop
Written & Performed by Philip Quinaz
Courtesy of Philip Quinaz Music/BMI

User Reviews

"Margin Call" is Well Acted with a Tense Tone

If you want to witness an acting clinic put on by an incredibly talented ensemble cast, look no further than J.C. Chandor's take on the beginnings of the 2008 financial crisis. The film follows an unnamed firm, which awakens to the reality of the economic catastrophe that was to come. The tense emotion of the situation was held steady by the ensemble throughout the film. Bettany, Quinto, and Badgley, all turned in superb performances, but it was Tucci, Spacey, and Irons that stood out as excellent. It was witnessing the brink of a tragedy that draws parallels to the 2006 film, "Flight 93" (minus the deep heartbreak "93" leaves us with). For "Margin Call", the storyline and setting may be repetitive but not enough to let you sit back and zone out.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Hungary]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2011 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Margin Call

Filming Locations:

Vornado Realty Trust, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$561,906, 23 October 2011

Gross USA:

$5,354,039

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,504,039

Company Credits

Production Co:

Before The Door Pictures, Benaroya Pictures, Washington Square Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1