[FILM REVIEW] FAIR PLAY Review (2023)

October 8, 2023 Dave Alex First, Brandon Bassir, Buck Braithwaite, Chloe Domont, Eddie Marsan, Fair Play, Freddy Sawyer, Jamie Wilkes, Jim Sturgeon, Linda Ljoka, Luke Ehrenreich, Patrick Fischler, Phoebe Dynevor, Rich Sommer, Sebastian de Souza, Sia Alipur, USA, Yacine Ramoul

Summary: An unexpected promotion at a cutthroat hedge fund pushes a young couple’s relationship to the brink, threatening to unravel far more than their recent engagement.

Year: 2023

Cinema Release Dates: 5th October 2023 (Australia), TBA (Thailand), 6th October 2023 (UK), 29th September 2023 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: 13th October 2023 (Australia), 6th October 2023 (UK), 6th October 2023 (USA)

Country: USA

Director: Chloe Domont

Screenwriter: Chloe Domont

Cast: Sia Alipur (Arjun), Brandon Bassir (Dax), Buck Braithwaite (Theo), Sebastian De Souza (Rory), Phoebe Dynevor (Emily), Luke Ehrenreich (Luke), Patrick Fischler (Robert Bynes), Leopole Hughes (Ken Oak), Linda Ljoka (Mrs Meyers), Eddie Marsan (Campbell), Yacine Ramoul (Jeremie), Freddy Sawyer (Derek), Rich Sommer (Paul), Jim Sturgeon (Uncle J), Jamie Wilkes (Quinn)

Running Time: 113 mins

Classification: MA15+ (Australia), TBC (Thailand), 18 (UK), R (USA)

OUR FAIR PLAY REVIEWS

Alex First’s Fair Play Review

A romantic psychological drama, Fair Play enters the world of highly competitive stock market trading.

Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) lives with and is madly in love with Emily (Phoebe Dynevor). He thinks he is the luckiest man alive.

In the most unlikely of locations, he proposes to her and she says “yes”.

At that stage, we – the audience – have no idea what either of them do for a living.

It turns out that their relationship is under wraps because both work as analysts for a cutthroat hedge fund, where interoffice ties are forbidden.

Luke is the more senior and is keen on a promotion.

But the big boss – Campbell (Eddie Marsan) – appreciates Emily’s decision making and elevates her above Luke and other analysts in the floor pool.

Make no mistake, Campbell is mercenary and he makes no bones about it.

Those who he believes don’t measure up are cut without a qualm.

Campbell relays the good news to Emily in a bar at 2 in the morning.

That is after Emily’s immediate superior Rory (Sebastian De Souza) has metaphorically dragged her out of bed to ensure she attends.

Luke isn’t exactly enamoured (including, wondering if there is more to the promotion), but makes out that he is.

Emily tells him she will help him to move up the ladder too, but Luke says he wants to do it on his own.

Truth be told, that is never going to happen because Campbell is far from sold on him.

Things turn toxic, as Emily is wined and dined, while Luke isn’t making any headway.

Their relationship reverts from highly sexed and mutually satisfying to cold, distant and volatile.

Writer and director Chloe Domont has done a decent job drawing us – the audience – into the mire.

The role of women and how to get ahead is clearly in the spotlight in Fair Play, which pushes many of the right buttons before stretching friendships with its ending.

Romance turns to tension, which continues to ratchet up.

The chemistry between Luke and Emily is apparent, as they are most agreeable at the start.

Ehrenreich initially comes across as caring and considered, while Dynevor is charming and warm.

And then things change. A badly chosen word here and another there is the start of the slide between Luke and Emily.

Support turns to resentment.

At the same time, the portrayal of aggression and abrasive masculinity at the hedge fund is well established.

A drinks’ night at a men’s club is illuminating.

Marsan doesn’t need to say much and yet it is clear how ruthless Campbell is. Marsan plays him well.

I like the juxtaposition of the work and home environment in which the two key players gravitate.

That includes the early alarm clock wake up calls, the train trips into the office and the screens, texts and calls that are grist to the mill at the office. The cinematography is by Menno Mans.

I wasn’t sold on Emily’s mother’s (Geraldine Somerville) portrayal in successive phone calls. They appeared inauthentic.

And I felt the ending also lacked credibility. It went too far. It pushed too hard and put Emily in a situation which I don’t believe reflected the real world. That aside though, Fair Play is an intriguing and intense cat and mouse game.

Alex’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture rating Out Of 5

Other Fair Play Reviews:

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