OK for kids 17+
Intelligent, grown-up thriller has some violence, drugs.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Arbitrage -- a grown-up thriller set in the world of high finance -- will likely be of more interest to parents than to most teens. There's one major violent scene (a car crash with a dead body and blood), as well as some threatening and arguing. Language is fairly strong, with about a dozen uses of "f--k" and a few uses of the "N" word. The main character (played by Richard Gere) has an extramarital affair and is seen kissing and having implied sex with his mistress. The mistress is shown snorting cocaine at one point. Adult characters drink scotch and wine at social gatherings; some characters smoke cigarettes.
- Families can talk about Arbitrage's violent events. Which feels more intense -- the car crash sequence or the scenes in which Detective Bryer confronts the main character? Why?
- Is Robert Miller right to hide his activities and problems from his family? Could they have helped? Should families tell each other everything?
- Are there any role models in this movie? Why would we root for Robert Miller when he's made so many bad choices?
- What does this movie have to say about the current financial crisis?
The good stuff
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Messages: A character learns that lying to his family -- even while trying to protect them -- ends up costing him a great deal more than if he had told the truth. This lesson comes late in the story, but it does come.
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Role models: The main character is interesting; he does some abominable things, but when he keeps information from his family, he does so to protect them and to keep from hurting them. Overall, he earns viewers' sympathy, and he does seem to realize that what he's doing is wrong; it's just too late for him to turn back. The movie also has some strong female characters, specifically the main character's daughter, Brooke.
What to watch for
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Violence: This isn't a violent movie, but there's one shocking scene with a car crash, a dead body, and blood; it's an event that changes the main character's life. Otherwise, the movie has many scenes of arguing and threatening, especially in the scenes involving the main character and a relentless police detective.
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Sex: The main character is cheating on his wife, and viewers see kissing and implied sex between him and his mistress.
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Language: Several uses of "f--k," plus the "N" word, "a--hole," and "goddamn."
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Consumerism: Several Zappos boxes are shown.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A secondary character snorts cocaine in one scene; she may or may not be a habitual user. Adult characters drink wine and/or scotch at parties or at dinner. Secondary characters are shown smoking cigarettes.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Enjoyed Arbitrage by Beantown02178
Saw Arbitrage yesterday and really enjoyed it; suspenful with a few good twists. First time in ages I've been to a movie and the theatre was almost full!
4
ARBITRAGE by nutts4movies
If you really want to work for a Hedge Fund - you should watch this movie. If you lost money in a Hedge Fund - it will, probably, make you nauseous.
4
In keeping with the times... by ChinaRider
Makes you wonder where all of the bodies are buried in real life. Great cast. Best role Richard Gere has done in a long while. Wouldn't hold breath for Oscar noms, but entertaining and worth the few hours.
5
Best movie i've seen in a long time by milberg
best movie i've seen in a long time. richard gere is among the most talented actors in hollywood, and this is surely his best performance ever.
4
same (older) Richard Gere by thisispenny
Movie was OK-Susan Sarandon was great ( as usual). Richard Gere played the same classy, womanizing, power hungry guy with the bare necessity of scruples as he has played before. Script reminded me a lot of Wall Street and the Michael Douglas character- ( although Richard Gere's character killed somebody and didn't come across as totally without empathy like Gordon Geko.
4
Arbitrage by lball
basically entertaining, however, why did the script writer feel it necessary to have every character say the F word. It took away from any uniqueness in the characters. Was it a private joke?
Absolutely did not like the abrupt ending. Made it seem like a made for TV movie Part I and part two would be on next week to conclude the story.
Would have liked to see more of Sarandon and that relationship with Gere seemed like it just broke the surface of its complexity as well as the relationship with Gere, Nate Parkers' character and his father. But I guess you can only tell so much of the story in the limited time. Perhaps the the abrupt ending was a precursor to a sequel :)
Thanks for the opportunity to share!
5
Great Wall Street Movie by pedsarq
Gere plays a dirty hedge fund manager who has more than dirty books to cook. He's true to the stereotypical boss in high finance with mistress and all. However, what drives the plot are his actions after a fatal car accident in which he flees the scene. This movie works well as a suspense thriller in the world of high finance.
1
ONE OF THE WORST!!! by SAMSCUBADIVER
Had the mis-fortune of seeing this horrible excuse of a film over the week-end. It starts out slow and the only speed it picks up is the car crash! Other than that, it moves at a snails pace, very choppy and while the acting is marginal to OK, there are no great or dramatic scenes. Watching the grass grow is one of the only things that move slower than this flick. Should be out on cable and DVD/Blue-ray in the next 5-6 weeks.
4
good but a little heavy handed by pmaddock
It was a good flick to watch but a little heavy handed at points. There comes a point where you have to say - yes I know that the ultra rich on wall street operate by different rules already. Fortunately the performances are good - esp Ms. Sarandon's performance within a performance. She rarely dissappoints.
3
THOSE INVOLVED IN THE WORLD OF FINANCE WILL BE BEWILDERED BY THE MISINTERPRETED LINGO. RICHARD GERE GIVES ANOTHER GENUINE PERFORMANCE AS THE SOMEWHAT SHIFTY "ROBERT MILLER". by Peneflix
"Arbitrage" is the simultaneous buying and selling of a security at two different prices in two different markets, resulting in profits without risk." It is NOT illegal and this film does NOT address "arbitrage"...
Predictably, the successful capitalist is untoward, manipulative, earning his ill-gotten wealth, not by skill and ingenuity but subterfuge, fraud. Devastatingly handsome Richard Gere is "Robert Miller" the "master of the universe" , the "rainmaker", the hedge-fund king whose "Midas touch" is in jeopardy of turning bronze; Gere imbues the character with enough smarmy charm and sagacity to captivate the viewer. Reminiscent of "Bonfire of the Vanities" an adulterous affair could result in his undoing; nevertheless a streak of the humane saves "Robert" from drowning in moral turpitude...
TWO & 1/2 STARS!!
***For full review please visit peneflix (dot) com!!!