- Film Review
- Reviewed By Jeremy Aspinall
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3 out of 5
The US financial crisis of 2008 is put under the spotlight in this quality HBO movie from LA Confidential director Curtis Hanson. It charts the battle by US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (William Hurt) to save the economy from catastrophe by bailing out investment bank Lehman Brothers. Hanson's examination of the back-room machinations is thoroughly absorbing, especially when the effects are still being felt, and as long as you're willing to invest careful attention in what can be a densely factual affair. Thankfully, Hanson has a first-rate cast to bring the multitude of chief executives, officials and advisers to life, including James Woods as Lehman's fulminating CEO and Paul Giamatti as president of the Federal Reserve. But the standout performance comes from Hurt, whose careworn Paulson is at the centre of the maelstrom that has had such a serious impact on the global economy. It's informative but gripping and scary, too.
Plot Summary
Political drama that goes behind the scenes of the US global financial crisis in 2008, starring William Hurt as US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The dysfunctional relationship between Washington and Wall Street is revealed when Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest investment bank in America, begins to show signs of collapse.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Henry Paulson
- William Hurt
- Warren Buffett
- Edward Asner
- Timothy Geithner
- Billy Crudup
- Ben Bernanke
- Paul Giamatti
- Jim Wilkinson
- Topher Grace
- John Thain
- Matthew Modine
- Michele Davis
- Cynthia Nixon
- Chris Flowers
- Michael O'Keefe
- Jamie Dimon
- Bill Pullman
- John Mack
- Tony Shalhoub
- Dick Fuld
- James Woods
- Joe Gregory
- John Heard
- Congressman Barney Frank
- Dan Hedaya
- Wendy Paulson
- Kathy Baker
- Lloyd Blankfein
- Evan Handler
- Vikram Pandit
- Ajay Mehta
- Christine Lagarde
- Laila Robins
Crew
- Director
- Curtis Hanson
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