Movie Spoiler ARBITRAGE (2012) starring Richard Gere - after review

(Pearl) white-collar thriller Arbitrage examines a hedge fund manager conducting his life and business way beyond his already super-luxurious means. As matters continue to escalate out of control, it's harder to express the blanket confidence that has built up who he is and stands as his saving grace, along with a calculating and slippery mind always negotiating his way one foot ahead of the other(s).  Well-edited, the film runs at a brisk clip, with a strong lead performance from the convincing Richard Gere. The recent Argo set in the 1970s had the look of daring, dark films produced in that era like Chinatown and Network, but was more of a crowd-pleaser. Arbitrage, on the other hand, has the slick and lofty look one would expect from 21st-Century penthouse-level Manhattan, but has complicated and enthralling tones one might find from Hollywood's last Golden Era. That isn't to say Nicholas Jarecki's film is at the level of The Godfather or Taxi Driver, but it certainly shoots for the stars in an intelligent way without worry of the likeability factor we as an audience don't get to experience much of these days. While not possessing the most full-proof plot mechanics, the film's real world relevance helps one overlook the movie's more implausible elements.  The film should top out around $8M after its initial run at the box-office. Yes, it's a small number, but not bad for a film that never rose above 300 theaters and competed with very impressive VOD results. But, not surprising either, considering, Gere thrillers used to open wide and grossed anywhere from the $20 - $60M range. My, my, my. The "movie star" really is dying or it's moving to a newer, more compact business model. Kind of like when things like the Nielsen ratings are no longer as important as they used to be, back during a time $8M would have been its opening weekend amount.

Movie Spoiler Summary

During a discussion, wealthy businessman Robert Miller (Richard Gere) talks about the housing bubble. On a private jet, with employee Gavin Briar (an unrecognizable Chris Eigeman) the topic turns to an upcoming deal he's hoping to close. That night, he arrives to a house-full of family and friends to celebrate his birthday, including wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon) and daughter Brooke (Brit Marling). In the study, Brooke has him sign a contract. She's shocked when he expresses a desire to spend more time with his family. He kisses Ellen goodbye and then travels to his mistress Julie Cote (Laetitia Casta), who he also wants to spend more time with, I guess; she gives the married man a cold-shoulder for being late. She's an artist with an upcoming show and he promises to attend without being tardy, before matters move to the more carnal. The next day, he visits Jeffrey Greenberg (Larry Pine) who loaned him money to cover up an investment that went south involving Russian copper mines. Miller begs for more time so he can pass an audit in order to finalize the sale of his company. Chris threatens him. What follows is a nicely directed scene between Miller and Ellen. 

A meeting at a restaurant with his daughter and prospective buyers runs long, when the most important person, James Mayfield (Graydon Carter) fails to show up. On his way out, Brooke pulls him over and brings some accounting oddities to his attention, which he's fully responsible for, but doesn't let on. He arrives late at Julie's show, who has self-medicated herself with a couple of lines of coke. She rejects him and, on his way out, he buys a couple of her paintings and then calls her from her apartment nearby. They argue and he offers her this little nugget: "You want to start a business, you have to project a certain image." He purchased the budding artist's work, citing that initial sales are important to get people thinking that you're desirable. She sulks over his marriage to Ellen, so he decides to take her on a trip. On an isolated road outside of Manhattan, he falls asleep at the wheel and flips the car 360 degrees, crashing it and killing her. He chooses not to dial 9-1-1. With internal injuries of an indeterminate condition, he expresses rage at the turn of events, and then leaves the scene. After he gets some distance from the car, it explodes. He finds a tollbooth and dials Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker), the son of an old acquaintance, to pick him up.  The ambulance and authorities arrive.  Detective Michael Bryer (a nicely subdued Tim Roth) quickly figures out that there was more than one person in the vehicle during the accident.  Jimmy shows up to retrieve him, having told his girlfriend he was just stepping out for a minute.  Miller asks him for an alibi.    Jimmy complains that he hasn't contacted him since his father's funeral and drops him off at his home.  Miller begins the process of tampering with evidence by messing with the surveillance cameras and burning his clothes, all the while in pain.  HIs houseman (Glen Lee) surprises and acknowledges him.  When Ellen wakes up in bed, he lies that he went out for ice cream.  Her response: "Don't forget to take your Lipitor in the morning."  

The next day, he visits his attorney friend Syd Felder (Stuart Margolin) and uses the "third person hypothetical" angle to seek advice.  Syd encourages that the person (Robert) should turn himself in because the "real world is different from television ... there's about fifty things that person would have not thought of and the more time that passes, the more lies that are told."  His associate Chris Vogler (Bruce Altman) shares with him the good news that his business has passed the audit.  Gavin inquires about Julie's show.  News regarding Mayfield is shared.  Brooke presses her father on the books.  Detective Bryer shows up at Miller's office to question him only to find lies.  He pursues Ellen, only to be blown off.  While investigating Julie's apartment, it's clear that Bryer has everything figured out, only lacks a sure-proof way to nail Miller.  Gavin expresses his condolences to Miller concerning Julie.

Detectives find Jimmy in Harlem and take him in for questioning.  Syd gives Miller Earl Monroe's (Reg E. Cathey) info as an expert lawyer who can help Jimmy.  After bailing him out, in Syd's limo, Miller offers Jimmy a $2M trust.  "You think money is going to fix this?"  Confused, Miller replies, "What else is there?"  Chris calls with bad news about the deal.  Brooke calls her brother Peter (Austin Lysy) and further investigates the cooked books.  Accountant Ben (Ted Neustadt) walks in on her snooping.  When he tries to cover for Miller, she fires him prompting him to tell her the truth.  We learn from the detective that Jimmy's father worked as a driver for Miller Capital.  Chris informs Miller the audit didn't actually clear because Mayfield placed a hold.  Detective Bryer speaks with D.A. Deferlito (Felix Solis) about going after Miller and sparing Jimmy, and the D.A. gives him a number to call.  Brooke confronts her father about the fraud, inciting an argument.  "You are not my partner, you work for me," father tells daughter.  "I'm the patriarch, that's my role, and I have to play it."  Detective Bryer tries to turn Jimmy.  Miller tells Syd that Ellen has met with an estate lawyer.  At the grand jury hearing, the D.A. questions Jimmy about a photo the authorities doctored to make their case.  Bryer puts the heat on Jimmy outside the courthouse afterwards.  At Julie's service, Miller comforts her mother Sandrine (Gabrielle Lazure) under false pretenses.  While working out, an unforthcoming Brooke leaves abruptly and Ellen tries to persuade her to look out for herself.  Mayfield meets Miller at a restaurant for final discussions.  Miller plays hardball, seals the deal, and leaves with the cocky attitude that he got everything he wanted (and then some).  He then announces to his employees that the company has been sold.

Jimmy informs Miller that he has 24 hours to take a deal before D.A. files charges.  He ensures him that he never went through the toll booth to pick up Miller like the doctored photo suggested.  After filing a notarized request at a government office to view a photo that had been recently deliberately taken, Monroe discovers the tampering.  In the judge's chambers, Bryer is unable to produce evidence proving otherwise.  Consequently, Judge Rittenband (Tibor Feldman) dismisses the charges against Jimmy.  Bryer breaks it down for the audience, "So, let me get this straight.  What you're telling me is I'm supposed to sit around with my thumb up my ass and fingers crossed hoping that one of these fucking days somewhere down the line, one of these rich assholes is going to say the wrong thing loud enough so that we can't choose to ignore him anymore?"  Judge orders him out of the chambers.  Ellen is uncooperative with Bryer.  Jimmy hands Miller back the trust. At home, Ellen confronts Miller about his affair and the dead mistress.  She blackmails him: turn power of the estate over to Brooke or she will not provide him with an alibi the night of accident.  "The world is cold."  "Then, you're gonna need a warm coat," she tells him.  In Mayfield's limo, John Aimes (Josh Pais) hands him papers concerning Miller's finances before the sale of the company.  At a gala event, Brooke introduces her father, who steps up to a podium to rapturous applause.  Cut to black; Bjork sings over the credits.