Though this movie certainly has some amusing points, it's far from a wacky thrill ride where we are finally able to laugh at the hijinks of a group of people who defrauded tens of thousands of people out of their jobs and their livelihoods. On the contrary, watching people like Lay, Skilling and Fastow defend themselves, their motives and the end result of their mutual greed is at times a sickening display of what people can do when allowed.
Gibney's film is as light-hearted as it can possibly be while still maintaining the integrity needed to realize that the story is no laughing matter. Quite simply, it is a tale of what happens when the bullies take over the playground with their eyes on taking over the school. On a larger note, it points the finger not only at the headline-making executives whom we have all come to know, but at every single other person who willingly allowed it to happen. From the employees and the traders who sacrificed others in order to save themselves, to the banks and the politicians who turned a blind eye in the name of profit, the movie forces us to ask ourselves where culpability and accountability meet.
Is everyone to blame if no one intervened? Interestingly, in a movie filled to the brim with gluttony and arrogance, there's a shimmering hope in the faces of the few people who helped in bringing the scandal to light: Bethany McLean, co-author of the book upon which the movie was based gives a precise and fantastic interview; Sherron Watkins, Enron Vice President (and whistle-blower) repeatedly tries to steer the company in the right direction to no avail; and the one trader who stood up to the company when it's numbers clearly didn't jive, losing his job in the process. Seeing a small handful of people make such a large difference is the tiny bit of inspiration gained from this film, though it really only begs the question of why so few people stood up in a building jam-packed with people who had everything to lose.
Gibney's film is as light-hearted as it can possibly be while still maintaining the integrity needed to realize that the story is no laughing matter. Quite simply, it is a tale of what happens when the bullies take over the playground with their eyes on taking over the school. On a larger note, it points the finger not only at the headline-making executives whom we have all come to know, but at every single other person who willingly allowed it to happen. From the employees and the traders who sacrificed others in order to save themselves, to the banks and the politicians who turned a blind eye in the name of profit, the movie forces us to ask ourselves where culpability and accountability meet.
Is everyone to blame if no one intervened? Interestingly, in a movie filled to the brim with gluttony and arrogance, there's a shimmering hope in the faces of the few people who helped in bringing the scandal to light: Bethany McLean, co-author of the book upon which the movie was based gives a precise and fantastic interview; Sherron Watkins, Enron Vice President (and whistle-blower) repeatedly tries to steer the company in the right direction to no avail; and the one trader who stood up to the company when it's numbers clearly didn't jive, losing his job in the process. Seeing a small handful of people make such a large difference is the tiny bit of inspiration gained from this film, though it really only begs the question of why so few people stood up in a building jam-packed with people who had everything to lose.