Too Big to Fail (2011)

92% want to see it
(55 ratings)

Oscar-winning director Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, L.A. Confidential) adapts author Andrew Ross Sorkin's penetrating expose of the 2008 Wall Street financial crisis in this made-for-HBO docudrama featuring an all-star cast. As the U.S. economy hits the skids, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (William… More Oscar-winning director Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, L.A. Confidential) adapts author Andrew Ross Sorkin's penetrating expose of the 2008 Wall Street financial crisis in this made-for-HBO docudrama featuring an all-star cast. As the U.S. economy hits the skids, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (William Hurt) finds himself caught up in a critical battle of wills between the key players on Wall Street, and the powers that be in Washington, D.C. With just weeks to go before the country plunges into the most devastating financial crash since the Great Depression, the powerbrokers on both sides scramble to pull the failing economy back from the brink of disaster. Ed Asner, Billy Crudup, Paul Giamatti, Cynthia Nixon, James Woods, Tony Shalhoub, and Topher Grace co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated,
Directed By: Curtis Hanson
Genres: Drama, Television

On DVD: Jun 12, 2012

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"You want "too big to fail" here it is! You got a better idea -the suggestion box is wide open!" Chronicles the financial meltdown of 2008 and centers on Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. <center>"You want "too big to fail" here it is! You got a better idea -the suggestion box is wide open!" Chronicles the financial meltdown of 2008 and centers on Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. <center>REVIEW</center> "Too Big to Fail" addresses the subject of modern-day mega corporations whose failure, however deserving, might be of such catastrophic dimensions that it must be avoided, if at all possible, whatever the cost. The subject matter, the US financial crisis of 2008, is profound and enormous, in terms of its shock at the time and continuing consequences, to trivialize. The main characters - William Hurt, Paul Giamatti, for instance - become aware of the distinct possibility of spiraling into a 21st century version of The Great Depression. We are awestruck by such a possibility. The plot forces at work are both economic and political, both having profound influences. Politics? As usual, it is the Art of the Possible. Economics? A very difficult-to-comprehend arena, neither art nor science. The story leads us, step by step, as numerous characters play their role on this stage. The message: How could they have been so stupid? The filmmakers have hit the nail on the head.

Cast

            William Hurt as Henry Paulson

            Edward Asner as Warren Buffet

            Billy Crudup as Timothy Geithner

            Paul Giamatti as Ben Bernanke

            Topher Grace as Jim Wilkinson

            Cynthia Nixon as Michele Davis

            Bill Pullman as Jamie Dimon

            Tony Shalhoub as John Mack

            James Woods as Richard Fuld

            Matthew Modine as John Thain

            Michael O'Keefe as Chris Flowers

            Ajay Mehta as Vikram Pandit

            Tom Mason as Bob Willumstad

            Chance Kelly as Bart McDade

            Victor Slezak as Greg Curl

            Joey Slotnick as Dan Jester

            Laila Robins as Christine Lagarde

            Kathy Baker as Wendy Paulson

            Amy Carlson as Erin Callan

            Ayad Akhtar as Neel Kashkari

            Dan Hedaya as Barney Frank

            Peter Hermann as Christopher Cox

            John Heard as Joe Gregory

            Evan Handler as Lloyd Blankfein

            Erin Dilly
            
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