Review by John M Delia, Jr.
The film Equity Directed by Meera Menon brings movie goers a unique story written by Amy Fox, Sarah Megan Thomas, and Alysia Reiner. It shows a woman’s view of Wall Street and the effects it can have on them. Carefully organized, well written, and presented, the scrupulous film is perfect for the over twenty audience. Menon develops this story with a deep look into the process it takes to have a private company go public and the negative and positive effects on its founders.
The drama unfolds from a woman’s point of view giving the added aspect of how difficult it can be for businesswomen to move up in the world of stock trading. Naomi Bishop (Anna Gunn), a senior investment banker for a large conglomerate, has just come off a failure to secure a very popular client. Her new task is to rebound and find another company to make public and reel them in for a huge payoff.
Her co-worker, an assistant investment banker Erin Manning (Sarah Megan Thomas), is also challenged to find a new client herself. Recently pregnant and trying to hide it from her employer, Erin faces many speed bumps along the way. Hard decisions needed to be made that could win or lose the client or even cause the IPO to fail at stock market opening putting her judgment at risk. Although not a long list of credits by her name, Thomas is best known for her portrayal of Abi Brooks in the movie Backwards.
Naomi’s current boyfriend and co-worker Michael Connor (James Purefoy) is also an investment banker. He will stop at nothing to find the one score that will raise him on top again. His relationship with Naomi is strictly temporary, but becomes an interesting factor as the story unfolds. Purefoy does a very good job of being a major factor in Naomi’s quest for breaking the glass ceiling. He’s best known for his portrayal of Joe Caroll in TV’s “The Following”.
I like the drama of bank investing as shown in the film with the constant scrutiny of the Security Exchange Commission. Under their watchful eye the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other Federal agencies come into play. Naomi’s longtime friend Samantha (Alysia Reiner), a federal investigator for white collar crimes comes into the mix stirring up an investigation that could put a damper on the company for which she works, especially since it involves Michael Conner. You may have seen Reiner in a number of her long list of credits, but she’s recognizable for her role of Natalie Figueroa in “Orange is the New Black”.
I also found the film interesting and enlightening, especially since the story involves investment banking and how IPO’s (Initial Public Offer) are created of which I had little knowledge. It’s an insight into the business of money trading and what it takes to bring stocks to public investors. It entails risks and challenges with brokers convincing their clients to invest with their bank and the positive along with the negative issues that can come about doing so. This is a truly an involved process that can make or break careers.
Final Grade: I give this B, for its attention to detail, very good acting, and intriguing storyline.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Anna Gunn, James Purefoy, Sarah Megan Thomas, and Alysia Reiner
Director: Meera Menon
Writer: Amy Fox (screenplay and story by), Sarah Megan Thomas (story by), and Alysia Reiner (story by).
Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language throughout.
Genre: Drama
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
