Overview
A gripping portrayal of the financial turmoil that nearly brought down the economy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- urgent
- serious
- procedural
- serious movie night
- history viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an effective, well-acted account of the 2008 financial crisis, despite some compression and conventionality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plot follows Paulson, Bernanke, Geithner, bankers, regulators, and congressional figures as they negotiate responses to Lehman's collapse and systemic risk.
The story centers on the Great Recession, Lehman Brothers, emergency intervention, and the public cost of stabilizing major banks.
Named government officials, investment bankers, regulators, and Warren Buffett conduct back-channel negotiations over the fate of the U.S. economy.
The financial crisis unfolds through behind-the-scenes conversations in government, banking, and regulatory settings.
Films like Too Big to Fail, and why
The Big Short
shared true-events financial crisis drama, institutional pressure, and ensemble political decision-making
Margin Call
shared Wall Street setting, corporate wrongdoing, and tense economic thriller structure
The Report
shared historical political drama, procedural negotiations, and high-stakes government leadership
Vice
shared real-world economic collapse, political scandal, and morally conflicted institutions
Movie Details
- Director
- Curtis Hanson
- Release Date
- 2011-11-25
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (278)
Cast
- James Woods
- John Heard
- William Hurt
- Paul Giamatti
- Billy Crudup
- Topher Grace
- Matthew Modine
- Tony Shalhoub
- Bill Pullman
- Ed Asner
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Too Big to Fail about?
- A tense ensemble dramatization of the 2008 financial crisis as government officials and Wall Street power brokers race to prevent economic collapse.
- What is Too Big to Fail like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Too Big to Fail as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Too Big to Fail violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Too Big to Fail.
- What did critics think of Too Big to Fail?
- Critics generally found the film an effective, well-acted account of the 2008 financial crisis, despite some compression and conventionality.
- Which films are like Too Big to Fail?
- Films with a similar feel include The Big Short, Margin Call, The Report, and Vice.
- How long is Too Big to Fail?
- Too Big to Fail runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Too Big to Fail?
- In United States, Too Big to Fail streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
