Inside Job MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +4 Content: +2

Documentary from Sony Pictures Classics. Directed/written by Charles Ferguson. Narrated by Matt Damon. Playing in limited release as of Oct. 8, 2010.

FILM SYNOPSIS: From Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Charles Ferguson (No End In Sight) comes Inside Job, the first film to expose the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists, Inside Job traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships that have corrupted politics, regulation and academia. Narrated by Academy Award® winner Matt Damon, Inside Job was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Like last year, 2010 is shaping up to be a year of the fascinating documentary. I know that’s not why most of us go to the movies on Friday nights – to view investigative reports. But so far this year, The Tillman Story, Waiting For Superman, I Want Your Money, Waking Sleeping Beauty, Oceans, Lord Save Us From Your Followers and Babies have contained more wonder, more drama and more alarm than any CGI-loaded thriller. Inside Job is no exception.

When I first saw Matt Damon’s name as the narrator, I feared this would simply be another hatchet job on the Bush administration. And certainly, the filmmakers take a fair amount of swings at the right side of the political aisle, but when doing a newsreel account of who’s governing what in the American political/financial system, it would be deceptive merely to blame one political party. So, President Obama, as well as former President Clinton and others of the Democrat persuasion are also featured as accomplices/co-conspirators/dupes in this economic meltdown. At one point, the truth is revealed – “It’s a Wall Street government.” In this culture, a billion bucks trumps ideology.

I’m not sure this film offers any solutions, but a country’s citizenry needs to be aware of who has the power to govern our fate, be it financial, political or social. Therefore, I feel Inside Job will raise awareness. While I hope it doesn’t just make us more docile and cynical, I pray the viewing of such a film will anger Americans enough to start holding our financial and political leaders accountable.

The first step in any battle is to be informed.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics