The Bet
An eager and commercial attempt from first-time director Mark (Gallipoli) Lee succeeds through sheer belief in its ideas, however shopworn they are after films like Wall Street to The Boiler Room.
Finance sharks Will (Matt Newton) and Angus (Aden Young) make a bet over who can rake in the most dosh, but the lesser experienced, too-idealistic Will is played at every step. The shocking climax lifts it far above the feelgood revenge drama you’re expecting, and despite a penny-pinching budget, exuberant design and performances sells the rest.
Lee and writer/producer Caroline Gerard’s commentary is informative and entertaining, and the making-of is a decent length and fills in the blanks you’re still curious about.
Film: **** Disc: ****