Arbitrage | 2012

Main Plot

In Arbitrage, Robert Miller is a successful hedge fund manager who appears to have it all: wealth, power, and a picture-perfect family. However, beneath the surface, his financial empire is built on deception, and he's desperate to finalize a lucrative deal before his fraudulent activities are uncovered. When Miller is involved in a sudden car accident that results in a fatality, his carefully constructed world begins to unravel. To avoid scandal and legal consequences, he turns to Jimmy Grant, a young man from a completely different background, for help in covering up his involvement. As the police close in and his business dealings teeter on the brink, Miller must navigate a web of lies and moral compromises. The film explores themes of greed, guilt, and the lengths one will go to protect their legacy, painting a gripping portrait of a man on the edge.

Characters

• Richard Gere plays Robert Miller, a charismatic yet troubled hedge fund magnate. His struggle to maintain his empire amid personal and professional crises drives the film’s tension and moral ambiguity.
• Susan Sarandon portrays Ellen Miller, Robert’s perceptive and resilient wife. Her growing suspicions and emotional resilience challenge the façade of their privileged life.
• Brit Marling is Brooke Miller, Robert’s intelligent and idealistic daughter. As she uncovers uncomfortable truths, her loyalty and values are put to the ultimate test.

Ending Explained

As Arbitrage draws to a close, the hedge fund magnate, Robert Miller, finds himself entangled in the consequences of his desperate decisions. After a fatal car accident with his mistress, Miller enlists the help of Jimmy Grant, the son of his late chauffeur, to cover up his involvement. Despite a relentless investigation by Detective Bryer, Miller’s wealth and cunning allow him to manipulate the legal system, ensuring Jimmy’s silence and avoiding prosecution. Meanwhile, Miller’s financial empire teeters on the brink, but he successfully orchestrates a deal to sell his company, securing his fortune and protecting his family’s future. However, this victory comes at a personal cost: his daughter Brooke, who uncovers his deception, is left disillusioned by her father’s moral compromises. The film ends with Miller poised to receive an award at a charity gala, his public image intact but his personal relationships fractured. The conclusion underscores the film’s central theme—the high price of power and the moral ambiguity that often accompanies it.