MovieChat Forums > Margin Call (2011) Discussion > Plot and characters pretty weak

Plot and characters pretty weak

posted 8 years ago by Opwiz
4 replies | jump to latest

The plot wasn't very interesting. It's revealed in the opening that the collapse is happening and everything from then on is just played very straight. The actual "margin call" to sell off everything was made before the movie's halfway point and it was no real contention or internal struggle. The last half of the movie is just about various characters reflecting and contemplating on the collapse - through various characters that are pretty interchangeable. Everyone seemed to know exactly what was going on though, no one were confused and no one had any personal revelations.

The young trader (spock) seemed like the protagonist you're supposed view the story through and identify with, but he is only there to crack the code (done in the first 30 minutes) and present the information to the higher ups.

Sam (Kevin Spacey) was just there to complain a bit and cry about his dog, no real character arc, didn't really even fight or present a case against selling.

It had good actors with hints of interesting characters but they didn't do anything with them - no conflict or personal struggles, no scheming, no big presonal revelations, no arcs, no plot twists or reveals. Pretty strange considering the collapse was very confusing to a lot of people and not many understood what was going on as it was happening.

So I'm open to hear other opinions. Did you like it? What made it stand out for you?

[–] Mark_Baum_jr 8 years ago

The story unfolded in approx 24 hrs. That isn't enough time to include the stuff you mentioned.

Btw, Sam presented a strong case against dumping the MBS portfolio.

I hope attack comes in October-PdxGold hoping for a terrorist attack in the US

[–] neeraj-14 8 years ago

Maybe this movie reflected the reality that there are very few real life heroes especially in Business community who will sacrifice their own and their family's well being for what could turn out to be an inconsequential sacrifice by trying to be a hero!

[–] somesunnyday 8 years ago

I like the fact that none of the characters had a revelation or sudden conscience. It was realistic. Even the guy you think can't be bought caves in eventually. Like the Jeremy Irons character points out, it's human nature and these crashes are part of the inevitable economic cycle caused by human nature.

[–] kaskait 8 years ago

These people are all about their jobs. They are shadows without them. Their whole youth is pumped into the industry with hopes that they will be able to be part of a big score and retire in their late 30s/early 40s.

So it is no wonder that none of them have anything in the way of a personality. The movie is pretty accurate about the culture.