Somehow 99
Homes got lost in the awards season shuffle, perhaps overshadowed by the
similarly themed contender, The Big Short.
But while Adam McKay’s unconventional docu-drama looks at the big picture
causes of the 2008 crash and its effects on homeowners all over the country, 99 Homes is far narrower in its scope,
choosing instead to examine the effects on one man. While this may have worked
to the benefit of the film, thanks to a talented cast of actors embodying the
roles, they are let down by contrivances in the screenplay that are transparent
(and slightly exploitative) in their attempt to insert suspense into the
narrative.
Although the
film doesn’t quite work as the thriller it is trying to be, the dramatic
elements are strengthened by the two leading performances. Andrew Garfield
gives the most as a broken down single father named Dennis Nash, whose efforts
to keep his family home are in vain. When he is evicted by a ruthless
businessman named Rick Carver (Michael Shannon), Nash is forced to move his son
(Noah Lomax) and mother (Laura Dern) into a motel. Desperate to find a way back
into his home, Nash takes the only job available to him, working for Carver
kicking others in the same situation out of their homes. From here on out, the
narrative is something of a real estate Training
Day, with Nash discovering all of the ways that rules are broken by the
greedy men at the top.
Nash begins to succeed in the dirty business
of buying foreclosed homes and the story begins to resemble a gangster
narrative. Corruption has its benefits, but the audience is already
preconditioned to see that morality must eventually win over. Though there are
endless scenes of fantastic performances between Garfield and Shannon, the
screenplay from Amir Naderi and director Ramin Bahrani forces them down
unconvincing and unfocused paths. Subplots such as Nash keeping his job a
secret from his mother and son feel equal parts unnecessary and perfunctory. When
the film finally ends it doesn’t feel as though the larger issues have been
justly addressed, but I suppose that’s where The Big Short comes.
The Blu-ray only
includes a commentary track and single deleted scene, though it has been listed
as a “specially selected deleted scene.” The commentary track includes director
Bahrani and co-writer Naderi.
Entertainment Value:
8/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 7/10
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