Fair Play Review – Explicit, Spellbinding and Riveting

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Category: Film

Published on Tuesday, 31 January 2023 19:36

Written by Janet Walker

Fair Play, recently purchased after its Sundance 2023 premiere, presents a riveting psychological drama, where a coveted promotion changes the course of two lives in the ultra-powerful, and equally cutthroat, world of New York City finance.

The film begins at a wedding, where finance analysts Emily, played by Phoebe Dynevor, and Luke, played by Alden Ehrenreich, who both work at the same hedge fund and are in violation of company policy for dating, have just become engaged.

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They both agreed until they come to a place where the violation of policy can be overlooked, they will keep everything quiet. She doesn't wear the ring, they tell no one, they commute separately, and rarely talk at the office.

By afternoon, a project manager who lost the firm money is fired. True to form, he explodes in his office and smashes his computer screens with a golf club which opens up a PM spot. Soon the office is on fire with gossip and Luke's name is mentioned. Emily sends him a message that he is being considered.

Without warning, Campbell, played by Eddie Marsan, who owns the firm gives the promotion to Emily which is when we are told of her history of corporate success working at the elite corporate banking firms in Manhattan. And we also hear Campbell's feelings about Luke, and worse than not getting the promotion, he has, unbeknownst to him, has had a target on his back since he arrived.

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With rock star Emily as the PM she is nailing the deals, her advice is solicited and when she is thrown a curve, she manages to recoup immediately. Her analyst is Luke, and as she is dedicated to her career and his also, she is trying to pull his name into the conversations. The analysts help inform her decisions. Luke doesn't complete the due diligence on a stock, and she buys it big anyway and it tanks.

Within a week of her promotion, she is crudely berated, and has one chance to fix it. Fortunately, she handles all the forecasting and it pays off. Her commission is over half a million dollars.

Life for her is changing with each success, the perks increase, and the resentment rises at home. Luke is losing his grip; he is drinking to excess, withholding sex, denigrating her wardrobe choices, calling her the office whore and finally accuses her of sleeping with the boss to secure the promotion.

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When the next PM promotion becomes available, Luke who is sure Emily is sabotaging his efforts decides to pitch himself for the position, unfortunately he is out of control and his display seals his fate which is when we meet the new PM.

Fair Play, an explosive feature debut from writer-director Chloe Domont, is riveting and captures the fierce competitive world of Manhattan's financial world. Explicit

Fair Play is a riveting psychological drama, following a timeless storyline, a star is born in the finance world. The expected promotion is given to the unsuspecting female and as her success comes with demands that exclude her fiancé, their once solid relationship slowly unravels until it implodes.

Fair Play is perfect, without flaws. After screening the film it is clear the director was able to articulate her vision and adjust if needed. The storyline is precise, the directing flawless, the performances authentic, gritty and real. It is a must see.

Fair Play, purchased by Netflix, will begin streaming in 2023.

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Country: USA.

Language: English.

Runtime: 113minutes.

Release Date: 2023.

Director: Chloe Domont.

Producer: Leopold Hughes, Ben LeClair, Allan Mandelbaum, Tim White, Trevor White, Andrew Zolot.

Writer: Chloe Domont.

Cast: Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan, Rich Sommer, Sebastian De Souza, Sia Alipour, Yacine Ramoul, Brandon Bassir, Jamie Wilkes, Freddy Sawyer, J. Pace, Abe Fark.