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Wen 丨 Big Dipper
Editor丨Big Dipper
introduction
The Big Short is a 2015 American drama film directed by Adam McKay. Based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Michael Lewis, the film tells the story of the global financial crisis that erupted in 2007.
The film humorously reveals corruption, greed and systemic problems in the financial world, and shows the story of how a group of investors discovered and exploited the subprime mortgage crisis to make huge profits through the eyes of several main characters.
The Big Short is set against the backdrop of the 2007 global financial crisis, triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis, which had a huge impact on the global economy. By revealing financial markets and investment institutions, the film shows the audience a series of problems that led to the outbreak of the crisis, including subprime debt, illegal issuance of mortgages, and the complexity of financial derivatives.
The significance of the film is to reveal to the audience the dark side and moral shortcomings of the financial world through irony and humor. By portraying the stories of several characters, it shows how a group of independent-thinking investors are aware of the risks of financial markets and profit from them. At the same time, the film also reveals the negligence and greed of financial institutions and regulators, and exposes the structural problems of the entire financial system.
While "The Big Short" was a commercial success, it also aroused widespread social discussion. It provides viewers with an in-depth understanding of the financial crisis, prompts reflection on the financial sector and regulatory mechanisms, and sparks calls for reform. Through humor and irony, as well as excellent actors' performances, the film successfully transforms complex financial concepts and events into vivid and fascinating stories, giving the audience a deeper understanding of the financial crisis.
Plot analysis
Michael Burry, played by Christian Bale, is an investor with extraordinary insight. He spotted signs of a subprime mortgage crisis and made huge profits buying hedge funds.
Mark Baum, played by Steve Carell, is a cynical fund manager. Outraged by the greed and irresponsibility of financial institutions, he decided to bet on the collapse of the subprime mortgage market.
Jared Vennett, played by Ryan Gosling, is an independent investor who helped Mark Barr identify potential opportunities in the subprime mortgage crisis.
Ben Rickert, played by Brad Pitt, is a retired former investment banker. He joined Mark Barr's team to help them capitalize on the subprime mortgage crisis to make a profit.
The story is set in the United States in 2005, when the real estate market is booming and subprime mortgage debt is gradually accumulating. Michael Bloom was an independent investor who, by delving into the financial markets, discovered the risks of subprime debt and decided to bet on the collapse of the subprime market. Meanwhile, Mark Barr and his team, outraged by corruption and greed in the financial world, decide to join the gamble.
Over time, independent investors such as Michael Bloom, Mark Barr and his team, as well as Jerry Carson, discovered problems in the subprime mortgage market and began buying hedge funds to bet on the collapse of the subprime market. They encountered many difficulties and obstacles, including opposition from financial institutions and Wall Street.
The culmination came in the collapse of financial markets in 2007, the subprime mortgage crisis, and the bankruptcy and bankruptcy of financial institutions. Michael Bloom, Mark Barr, and their team, as well as other investors, made huge profits, but they also witnessed the rupture of the entire economic system and the suffering of countless others.
The ending of the film does not give a completely satisfactory solution. While the main players made huge profits, they were deeply disappointed by the corruption and moral deficiencies of the financial system. The ending reminds viewers through a series of subtitles that the global financial crisis triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis has brought great pain and loss to countless people, but few people have been prosecuted or held responsible. This outcome suggests that problems in the financial world still exist and that deeper reforms are needed.
The theme and meaning of the film
"The Big Short" reveals the problems and shortcomings in the financial system by deeply analyzing the causes and effects of the subprime mortgage crisis. The film's revelation of the financial crisis is a reproduction of events that took place in reality, aiming to show the audience the dark side and corruption of the financial world. It criticizes the negligence of financial institutions and regulators, as well as the irregularity of loans and the complexity of financial derivatives.
Through the stories of the main characters, the film delves into the role of greed and moral decline in the financial world. Many people ignore risk in pursuit of personal gain, putting profit above morality. Through irony and humor, the film exposes the phenomenon of greed and moral lack in the financial world, causing the audience to ponder these issues.
The Big Short dissects the financial system and Wall Street, revealing structural problems and inequities. The film shows the complexity and opacity of the financial system and how financial institutions operate. It explores the concentration of power, information asymmetry, and misinformation misleading in the financial world, and provides insight into the unhealthy and unfair financial system.
"The Big Short" triggers the audience to think about personal responsibility and justice through the experiences of the main characters. The film shows how a group of investors find the truth and take responsibility for their actions through careful research and courageous action. It explores how individuals should act in the face of injustice and corruption, and whether those responsible for financial crises can be punished as they deserve.
The artistic style and technical approach of the film
The Big Short employs techniques of quick editing and jumping narrative to present complex financial concepts and events in a vivid, compact manner. By quickly switching scenes and characters, the film takes the audience into different plot lines, making the plot tight and rhythmic. This technique helps viewers better understand complex financial terms and events while adding to the film's tension and appeal.
The Big Short breaks the fourth wall in the film, where the main characters often speak directly to the audience, explaining and commenting on the plot that is taking place. This direct shouting to the audience enhances the film's sense of interactivity and participation, making the audience more immersive. At the same time, this is also the usual humorous technique used by director Adam McKay, making the film more humorous and funny.
The Big Short uses a wealth of visual language and symbols to convey the meaning and emotion of the story. For example, a penguin, the mascot of the financial world, appears in the film, symbolizing suspicion and distrust of the financial system. In addition, the film also uses charts, animations and visualizations to transform complex financial concepts into visual expressions that are easier for audiences to understand. The use of these video languages and symbols enriches the form of film expression, allowing the audience to experience the meaning of the story more deeply.
Role analysis
Michael Burry is an investor with extraordinary insight who plays a key role in the film. He has in-depth research skills and independent thinking ability, and through the analysis of financial markets, he has detected signs of the subprime mortgage crisis. His characteristics include firm conviction, calm analysis and courage to act. He decided to buy hedge funds, bet on the collapse of the subprime mortgage market, and ended up making huge profits.
Michael Burry's role is to lead the audience to the truth about the subprime mortgage crisis. His role sheds light on the problems that exist in the financial world and shows how individuals can fight injustice through the courageous pursuit of truth and firm conviction. His actions and decisions in the plot trigger the actions of other characters that drive the plot forward.
Mark Baum is a cynical fund manager who is angry at the greed and irresponsibility of the financial world. He was deeply disappointed by the injustice and deception of the financial system and decided to bet on the collapse of the subprime mortgage market. He has a strong willpower and an outspoken personality, and has the courage to stand up to fraud in financial institutions.
Mark Baum's image portrays a character with a strong sense of justice, and he represents the anger and discontent in the audience about corruption in the financial world. His actions and decisions in the film inspire other characters and audiences, while also provoking deep thinking about the financial system.
Jared Vennett, an independent investor, helped Mark Baum identify potential opportunities for the subprime mortgage crisis. He is a quick-witted, intelligent and insightful character who is able to see potential vulnerabilities in the market and provide valuable information.
Jared Vennett's role plays a role in driving and guiding the plot. His presence allowed Mark Baum and his team to better understand the subprime mortgage crisis and act accordingly. His role emphasizes the importance of individuals in the financial world and the impact that can be made through independent thinking and courageous action.
Together, these characters play a key role in the film, revealing the problems and injustices of the financial world through their actions and decisions, and encouraging viewers to think about personal responsibility and the importance of fighting injustice.
The social and cultural significance of the film
The Big Short provokes reflection and questioning of these institutions through its revelation and critique of the financial system and Wall Street. The film shows corruption, greed and injustice in the financial system and criticizes the failures of financial institutions and regulators. It exposes problems and flaws in the financial world and encourages viewers to think more deeply about and reform the financial system.
The Big Short highlights the importance of financial literacy and accessibility. Through charts, animations and dialogues, the film transforms complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand forms, allowing the audience to better understand the plot and the financial mechanism behind it. It calls on the audience to actively learn and understand financial literacy in order to better understand and respond to the challenges of the financial world.
"The Big Short" conveys important revelations and warnings to the audience through the plot and the stories of the characters. It tells the audience about the problems and risks that exist in the financial world, and encourages the audience to think independently and fight injustice. The film warns viewers to pay attention to their own financial security and risk management, reminds them to be vigilant about the financial system, and calls on the audience to put forward higher requirements for the reform and regulation of the financial industry.
Film reviews and repercussions
The Big Short has received widespread acclaim and recognition internationally. The film has won several important film awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the 88th Academy Awards and Best Musical Comedy at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. In addition, the film has received awards and nominations from many film critics' associations and film festivals.
"The Big Short" has an important influence and status in the art of cinema. First of all, it shows the criticism and reflection of the financial world with a unique narrative and artistic technique, bringing new perspectives and touches to the audience. Its technical techniques such as rapid editing and jumping narrative provided reference and inspiration for later film creation.
In addition, the success of the film also highlights the power of film as a medium to convey social issues and attract audiences' attention. It has generated widespread discussion around the globe and many people's thinking about the financial system. The success of the film also paved the way for films with similar themes, promoting the development and exploration of financial-themed films.
As a personal opinion, I think "The Big Short" is an excellent film that has not only been an artistic success, but also has had an important impact on social issues and the thinking of the audience. Through wonderful actor performances, tight plots and innovative narrative techniques, the film transforms complex financial concepts and events into easy-to-understand stories, enabling the audience to better understand and think about the problems of the financial world.
Through criticism and reflection on the financial system, "The Big Short" reminds viewers to pay attention to financial risks and personal responsibility, while also calling for stricter regulation and reform of the financial industry. It successfully transforms complex financial issues into fascinating plots that bring inspiration and reflection to the audience.
conclusion
The Big Short has achieved remarkable achievements and stands out artistically. It successfully transforms complex financial concepts and events into compelling stories through innovative storytelling, superb actor performances, and visual effects.
The film uses technical techniques such as rapid editing and jumping narrative to highlight the compactness and tension of the plot. In addition, the film's use of video language and symbols also brings a unique visual experience to the audience.
bibliography
Lewis, M. (2010). The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. W. W. Norton & Company.
McKay, A. (Director). (2015). The Big Short [Motion picture]. Paramount Pictures.
Lawrence, C. (2016). The Big Short: How Hollywood Got It Right. Journal of Popular Film and Television, 44(3), 169-172.
Combs, J. (2016). From the Margins to the Mainstream: The Big Short and the Film Market. Cinema Journal, 55(2), 166-171.
Smith, A. (2018). Understanding the Impact of The Big Short: An Analysis of Its Reception and Influence. Film Quarterly, 71(1), 68-78.
Moeller, H. (2019). "Don't Dance!": The Big Short and the Crisis of Capitalism. New Review of Film and Television Studies, 17(3), 366-386.