Inside Job

UK Release: 18th February 2011

Watched on Recorded TV: Thursday 8th/Friday 9th December 2011

Rating: 12A

Genre: Documentary, Crime

Runtime: 2hrs

Tagline: The global economic crisis of 2008 cost tens of millions of people their savings, their jobs, and their homes. This is how it happened.

IMDb Plot Synopsis: 'Inside Job' provides a comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which at a cost over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and nearly resulted in a global financial collapse. Through exhaustive research and extensive interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, the film traces the rise of a rogue industry which has corrupted politics, regulation, and academia. It was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

My Review: Inside Job is the ‘inside’ story of the 2008 financial meltdown. It effected every single person in the world but is still clouded in mystery for many people who don’t know the language of the Wall Street. It has a great soundtrack and the shots of the city add something more visually than just the interviews that the film contains. Matt Damon provides a calm narration with an edge as the film attempts to delve into this ridiculously corrupt world. For me it started well and then got a little too complicated and so was tempted to switch off. Some of the interviews were interesting and towards the end a narrative of sorts began to emerge but a lot of the interviewees were using industry jargon that any normal person wouldn’t really understand. The filmmakers added graphs and charts but that made me feel like I was at school learning and when I’m watching a film, even a documentary, I like to be entertained while giving me something to think about. Unfortunately it didn’t enlighten me about the crash or make me think any differently about it, if anything I found it a little tedious, even though I know it tried hard. Someone who is more interested in politics and the economy may find it easier to engage in but frankly I felt like I’d heard it all before. 

Score: 6.5/10