Floored is a fascinating documentary that delves into the world of futures trading in Chicago. Directed by James Allen Smith, the film takes us on a journey through the hyper-competitive, often cutthroat world of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The movie opens with striking footage of traders shouting and gesturing wildly as they buy and sell futures contracts. It quickly becomes clear that this is a world that operates at breakneck speed, where fortunes can be made or lost in the blink of an eye.
The film follows a handful of traders, including Bobby Ansani, Jeff Ansani, and Ron Beebe, as they navigate this high-pressure environment. We see them making deals, yelling into their phones, and sweating profusely as they try to stay ahead of the pack. It's clear that this is not a job for the faint of heart.
One of the most striking things about Floored is the way it captures the intensity of the trading floor. The camera zooms in on the traders' faces, showing their expressions of ecstasy or agony as they close a big deal or suffer a devastating loss. It also shows the physical toll this job takes on traders â by the end of a typical day, they're drenched in sweat and completely drained.
The film also does an excellent job of explaining the mechanics of futures trading for those unfamiliar with the practice. It's a complex subject, but the movie breaks it down in a way that makes it easy to understand. We learn about the different types of contracts that are traded, the role of brokers, and the strategies that traders employ to stay ahead.
But Floored is more than just a documentary about the nuts and bolts of futures trading. It also explores the human side of this world, revealing the personalities behind the traders. We see them interacting with each other, joking around, and even sharing their personal stories. Through these moments, the film gives us a sense of the camaraderie that exists among these high-stakes traders.
At the same time, though, the movie never shies away from the cutthroat nature of this world. We see instances of backstabbing and betrayal, as traders try to gain an edge over their competitors. It's clear that this is a world where trust is hard to come by and where everyone is essentially out for themselves.
Throughout the film, we see the traders facing challenges from all sides. They're dealing with fierce competition from other traders, as well as the rise of electronic trading, which threatens to make their jobs obsolete. They're also dealing with the emotional toll of this work, which can be incredibly stressful and isolating.
In one particularly poignant scene, Bobby Ansani talks about how difficult it is to reconcile his work as a trader with his identity as a person. He says that when he's at work, he's a completely different person â ruthless, competitive, and willing to do whatever it takes to win. But when he goes home, he struggles to leave that persona behind, and his wife and kids often bear the brunt of his stress and frustration.
Overall, Floored is a gripping documentary that provides a window into a world that most of us will never experience. It's a movie that will leave you feeling both exhilarated and exhausted, as you witness the highs and lows of these traders' lives. Whether you're interested in finance, human psychology, or just great storytelling, this is a film that's well worth watching.
Floored is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.
