Arbitrage – A VVS Films’ Release

http://www.arbitrage-film.com/

DVD Release Date: December 21st, 2012

Rated 14A for language, mature themes and disturbing images

Running time: 106 minutes

Nicholas Jarecki (dir.)

Nicholas Jarecki (screenplay)

Cliff Martinez (music)

Richard Gere as Robert Miller

Susan Sarandon as Ellen Miller

Tim Roth as Det. Michael Bryer

Brit Marling as Brooke Miller

Laetitia Casta as Julie Côte

Nate Parker as Jimmy Grant

Our reviews below:

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Arbitrage DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Robert Miller (Richard Gere) is a hedge fund magnate in New York, running a successful business with the help of his daughter (Brit Marling) and the support of his wife (Susan Sarandon).  But when the car Robert is driving with his mistress (Laetitia Casta) swerves off the road and she is killed on impact, he tries to hide any evidence of his involvement in the accident, lest it lead to the uncovering of his financial fraud.  But there is a detective (Tim Roth) hot on his trail, and the truth is threatening to come out if he doesn’t continue to cover his tracks.  But every action has repercussions and Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker), an innocent young guy from Harlem is at risk of being busted for giving Robert a lift after the accident.

Written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki, Arbitrage is an intelligent film that requires us to pay attention to the small details, offering an incredibly satisfying payoff in return.  With excellent work from a uniformly strong cast fronted by a brilliant performance from Richard Gere in a role that already picked up a Golden Globe nomination, Arbitrage is an entertaining financial thriller with a screenplay that provides plenty of fascinating twists and turns.

The Blu-ray includes commentary with Nicholas Jarecki, deleted scenes and several featurettes.

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Arbitrage DVD Review By Erin V.  

*** (out of 4)

In Arbitrage, Richard Gere plays New York financial tycoon Robert Miller, who is trying to make one of the biggest sales of his career while making sure that his bookkeeping isn’t looked too closely into.  The film revolves around his relationship with both his family, as well as the woman he is having an affair with.

The film also takes a look at how the legal system both plays and is played by those in positions of power.  When an unfortunate car accident takes a life, Miller now has another problem – not wanting his name negatively in the press, he is now trying to hide the fact that he was the driver, from the police.  As the lies pile on, more innocents get caught in the middle and it sooner or later, Miller may just run out of choices.

Worth seeing for its strong performances (Gere landed a Golden Globe nomination for the film), and well written story, Arbitrage is worth checking out.

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Arbitrage DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Arbitrage is a fascinating financial thriller about one man’s quest for power and the problems it brings.  Billionaire tycoon Robert Miller (Richard Gere) has been fraudulently moving money around, leaving his wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon) and daughter Brooke (Brit Marling) suspicious that something is afoot.  Much of Miller’s ill-gotten funds have been financing his mistress Julie (Laetita Casta).  But when Julie dies in a car accident, Miller, who was driving, tries to keep things under wraps.

In doing so, Miller drags an unsuspecting vulnerable young man, Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker) into his pack of lies, leaving Grant in trouble with sleazy detective Michael Bryer (Tim Roth), who will stop at nothing to make Grant confess to a crime he didn’t commit.

Arbitrage is a parable about the myriad of ways rich society steals from and uses the poor.  Well acted and well written, this is a film worthy of its Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor (Richard Gere).  I would definitely recommend Arbitrage to anyone interested in finance, social equality, or intelligent filmmaking.

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Arbitrage DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Arbitrage is a tightly written, well-acted financial thriller with Richard Gere in the lead as Robert Miller, a wealthy and successful financier who operates under his own set of rules and ethics.

Robert Miller is portrayed as a stereotypical 1 percenter.  He lacks for nothing financially and has an adoring family including wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon) who manages the family’s charitable foundation.  Daughter Brooke (Brit Marling) is a brilliant and hardworking member of the corporation’s financial team along with her brother Peter (Austin Lysy).

Life is good for Robert Miller.  However he’s a man for whom good isn’t enough.  One of his perks is a beautiful mistress, Julie Coté (Laetitia Casta) a talented artist that he backs financially.  When a traffic car accident costs Julie her life, Robert is forced to look at the decisions he’s made and to come up with some creative problem-solving.  That includes calling in a favour from a family friend in Harlem, Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker).  As clever as Robert is, NYPD Detective Michael Bryer (Tim Roth) seems to be closing in on the elaborate web of lies.

There is a growing sense of tension in Arbitrage that works really well.  This truly is a thriller with some nice twists along the way to an interesting conclusion.  Richard Gere is really good as the charming billionaire, and his scenes with the equally good Susan Sarandon are a treat to watch.  Arbitrage is a good choice for the intelligent viewer who enjoys stories about the financial world and thrillers in general.  Fans of the two leads will also be pleased.

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Arbitrage DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Arbitrage is about the brilliant hedge fund magnate Robert Miller (Richard Gere) who is desperate to sell his firm to pay off a four hundred million dollar debt that he has kept off the books, but his potential buyer is stalling. Meanwhile, he has to distance himself and his driver (Nate Parker) from a fatal accident involving his French mistress, keeping secrets from his wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon) and daughter Brooke (Brit Marling) as well as a relentless detective (Tim Roth).

Over almost two hours, Gere is brilliant as the cool player in a desperate juggling act that could come crashing down around him at any moment. The intelligent script by first time feature director Nicholas Jarecki is well served by an excellent cast, real New York locations and a fine score by Cliff Martinez.

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Consensus: Written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki, Arbitrage is an intelligently plotted financial thriller that is carried by excellent performances from Richard Gere and an equally strong supporting cast.  *** (Out of 4)