Arbitrage 
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling
Directed by Nicholas Jarecki
Rated: R
Run Time: 100 mins
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Opens September 14th
By Lisa Minzey
Hey Phoenix Film Fans, this week we checked out the newest Richard Gere movie "Arbitrage". Fun fact about the film: Richard Gere replaced Al Pacino in the lead role, and Nate Parker replace Drake in supporting role of "Jimmy". How do you think that casting change would have affected the quality of the film? Better or worse?
Billionaire Robert Miller (Richard Gere) from the outside seems to have the perfect life. He is a self- made man; built and ran a successful business, married the woman he loved and built a family with, and upon the eve of his 60th birthday, is about to sell his lucrative business in an immensely profitable acquisition. That is the public persona of Robert Miller.
The private persona of Robert Miller is more of a shadowy side. Only a select few know that Robert maintains a French artist mistress, Julie (Laetitia Casta), providing for her every need. Julie, who is becoming increasingly frustrated with him still being with his wife, Ellen (Susan Sarandon) keeps issuing threat after threat. Robert promises Julie when he gets through this business dealing things will be different.
Brooke Miller (Brit Marlin), Robert’s daughter and C.I.O, caught an accounting error in one of their holdings that could be a possible reason why the company sale is stalling. When she presents the findings to Robert, he insists that he will get to the bottom of the matter. Truth is that, Robert has been covering up a discrepancy of $412 million dollars from a poor business deal.
Amongst all the stress in Robert’s life, he make a promise to Julie to attend her first big art show. When he shows up late due to a merger meeting that ran late, she wants nothing to do with Robert. In an effort to make things right, he offers to run away with Julie to a place he has up north. Fate intervenes as Robert and Julie steal away in the dead of night. Due to the late hour, Robert nods off while driving Julie’s car, causing in a horrific rollover car crash, killing Julie instantly. The decisions Robert makes in the precious moments after the car crash, puts his company’s, family’s and own future, all on the line.
Much like Atlas bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders, Robert’s fate hangs in the balance, as does a young man Jimmy (Nate Parker), who is called in to assist in Robert’s getaway. Det. Michael Bryer (Tim Roth) is the officer tasked to solve the car crash/ murder case of Julie Cote, figuring out quickly that Robert plays a significant role in the investigation. Much like a pit-bull salivating for a hearty bone, Det. Bryer wants to nail Robert Miller, putting him away for a long time. The billionaire is the ultimate prize in Byer’s search for justice.
Will Det. Bryer be able to build a strong enough case to put Robert away for good, or will Robert’s shoddy business decisions catch up to him, jeopardizing his, his family and employees’ futures?
Arbitrage is a throwback to the great 80’s Wall Street Thrillers that make one want to root and hate the “Rich Villain” at once. The only difference here is that instead of Michael Douglas, Richard Gere is the character we love to hate. Check it out when it opens in theaters nationwide Friday September 14th, 2012.
