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Clip description
Jim Doyle (David Wenham) has been hired by Centabank to perfect his research into how to predict the stock market. The bank’s senior research analyst Vincent (Greg Stone) sets up a series of preliminary tests, but chief executive Simon (Anthony LaPaglia) decides to apply some pressure. He orders that the tests be done live, with a pool of $10 million. Simon tells Jim that he’ll work better with his foot on the back of his neck.
Curator’s notes
The basement laboratory is in marked contrast to the light and airy headquarters, seen in clip one. Jim and his team occupy a secure area with no windows or natural light, behind high security. Simon comes and goes in this area with cat-like silence and surprise. He demonstrates his power and his willing acceptance of risk in this scene, and a deep cynicism (or realism) about human psychology. Jim has been working entirely theoretically up to this point. Simon is hostile to theory, as we see in clip one. He wants real time, real world and real money. Jim’s lack of composure at the initial failure of his predictive model is in marked contrast to Simon, who’s used to making and losing large sums in matter of seconds. LaPaglia’s performance makes clear that Simon enjoys the absurdity of such a situation. It’s a key part of the film’s success that Simon is likeable. He’s a monster with a good sense of humour.
