Arbitrage - B

Rated R, 100 minutes

Entertaining "Arbitrage" a worthy investment of your time

Richard Gere

A solid investment is one that over time, in spite of ups and downs, produces a decent return, which can be said of the new financial thriller "Arbitrage," starring Richard Gere. The film isn't perfect, particularly an uneven last act, but in the end there is a nice payoff. Sixty-year-old billionaire hedge fund manager Robert Miller (Gere) seems to have it all: a beautiful family and a successful business. But he has mismanaged his company's assets to complete a sale and cover up fraud and is all the while having an affair with a young art dealer. He and his mistress are involved in a deadly car accident that leaves her dead as he walks away. Now, in order to prevent his wife (Susan Sarandon) from discovering the truth, he tries to cover up his involvement in the by using a former client of his for an alibi. At the same time, he tries to avoid the police detective investigating the case, (Tim Roth) who is sure that Miller has committed murder. "Arbitrage" is a slick, well-acted thriller that's held up by the solid teaming of Gere and Oscar-winner Sarandon, both of whom keep things watchable in spite of a flawed script that takes some time to gain some footing. Directed by Nicholas Jarecki ("Tyson"), "Arbitrage" has some decent moments of tension, thanks to his leads. Gere is believable as the corrupt 1%-er you won't have much sympathy for, and Sarandon is strong in an underwritten role as the smarter-than-you-think spouse. Roth, Nate Parker and Brit Marling also have a few memorable scenes in supporting roles of the people affected by Miller's behavior. "Arbitrage" is an above-average, serviceable thriller with a nice profit over the long term.

Wes's Grade: B