ARBITRAGE (Rated R)

On or around the Labor Day weekend, the quality of films, particularly those in wide release, tend to be sub-par. The public realizes this, which explains why box office receipts are always lower.
   
The trend of inferior product continues even beyond the holiday. We should note that the umpteenth version of “Resident Evil” has just been unleashed. Enough said.
   
The gems are to be found in films of limited release, which means good luck finding them at the local multiplex outside of the major urban centers.
   
One such film is the feature directorial debut of young writer Nicholas Jarecki. “Arbitrage,” a taut and alluring suspense thriller, is so entertaining that it seems written and directed by a seasoned pro.
   
“Arbitrage” is a film worth finding, because more than being a truly suspenseful thriller, it is cast with brilliant actors in roles large and small.
   
The biggest presence of all is that of Richard Gere, whose distinguished looks, accented with silver hair and nicely tailored suits, makes him appear to be the perfect Wall Street billionaire hedge-fund magnate.
   
Gere’s Robert Miller, approaching his 60th birthday, is fully in command of his trading empire, living the high life in a New York mansion with his socialite wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon).
   
Miller is the very portrait of success in American business and family life. His brilliant daughter and heir-apparent Brooke (Brit Marling) is the chief financial officer of Miller Capital.
   
But behind the gilded walls of his mansion and financial empire, Miller is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading company to a major investment bank.
   
His personal life is also in turmoil because his delicate balancing act includes an affair with French art gallery owner Julie Cote (Laetitia Casta), a mistress far too demanding of his time and attention.
   
The financial problems, though, are the most immediate and troubling. Miller has borrowed $412 million from a fellow tycoon, who is growing impatient, to cover up some major losses in a Russian mining deal gone bad.
   
Worse yet, Miller has concealed his money problems from his daughter Brooke, who could end up on the hook for the fraud that is being perpetrated under her nose.
   
At home, his wife Ellen is growing restive over Miller’s infidelity and duplicity. She’s not too happy about pesky NYPD detective Michael Bryer (Tim Roth) poking into their affairs.
   
Unfortunately, Miller was involved in an auto accident that he is going to great lengths to cover up, using the help of young Harlem kid Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker), the son of his former chauffeur.

It would be best not to say much about the accident, other than to note that it leads to great complications for Miller’s business and personal life, particularly as the NYPD detective’s relentless pursuit really puts the tycoon in a huge bind.

There’s plenty of moral ambiguity going around on all sides. Indeed, Miller is a scoundrel, but Richard Gere plays him with so much charisma that you have to wonder if the director has misplaced his sympathy.

Then, you have Roth’s detective Bryer breaking the rules in order to pin a crime on Miller, while the tycoon pays for the services of several high-powered attorneys to game the system.

In the main, “Arbitrage” is the gripping story of a well-heeled man caught in an ever-tightening trap of his own making. Richard Gere embodies this character with passion, charisma and drive.

Gere’s performance is worthy of Oscar consideration, and that’s good reason enough to enjoy this entertaining suspense thriller.   

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

If new movies prove unsatisfying, it appears that plenty of TV series are getting released on DVD at this time of year.

One of last season’s favorite new TV comedies, “Suburgatory: The Complete First Season” provides all 22 half-hour episodes plus the special featurette “Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell: Life in Suburgatory.”

The satirical comedy series centers on Tessa (Jane Levy), a witty New York City teenager who is forced to relocate to the suburbs with her dad, George (Jeremy Sisto).

Accustomed to the urban jungle, Tessa goes into culture shock, because suburbia represents to her a unique version of hell.

The updated version of “Hawaii Five-O,” now starting its third season on the CBS fall schedule, has scored a big success as a hit crime drama.

“Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season” is being released on DVD and Blu-ray, including all 23 episodes and several features, including “Aloha Action! Take 2” which highlights the show’s dramatic stunts.

Alex O’Loughlin stars as Detective Steve McGarrett – a far different head of the Five-O Unit than Jack Lord. But then, Scott Caan, a New Jersey transplant, is also a very distinctive Danny “Danno” Williams.

“Hawaii Five-O” is worth watching because the crime stories are riveting and the chemistry of the officers in the special unit is truly enjoyable.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.