Watch Rogue Trader

Rogue Trader is a gripping biographical drama that chronicles the true story of Nick Leeson, a young and ambitious derivatives trader from England who was responsible for one of the biggest financial scandals in history. Starring Ewan McGregor as Leeson, the movie paints a vivid picture of the cut-throat world of international banking and the seductive power of the financial markets.

Set in the early 1990s, Rogue Trader takes us on a journey through the dizzying highs and crushing lows of Leeson's career at the Singapore office of Barings Bank. McGregor plays the charming and ambitious Leeson with a raw energy that captures the young trader's eagerness to succeed. Initially hired to manage Barings' futures trading on the Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX), Leeson quickly becomes a star performer, earning big profits for the bank through his risky but lucrative trades.

However, Leeson's unchecked ambition and willingness to cut corners soon lead him down a dangerous path. He begins placing unauthorized trades in an attempt to recoup losses and cover up mistakes, eventually amassing a staggering debt of over £800 million. As the pressure mounts and the losses spiral out of control, Leeson sinks deeper into a web of deceit and fraud, hiding his trades from his colleagues and lying to his superiors about his activities.

The movie's fast-paced plot keeps the audience on edge as Leeson's situation becomes increasingly precarious. We watch as he struggles to keep his fraud a secret, even as he continues to make increasingly risky and desperate trades in a futile effort to turn his situation around. McGregor's performance is especially impressive, conveying the desperation and delusion of a man caught in a downward spiral of his own making.

Alongside McGregor, Anna Friel delivers a strong performance as Leeson's patient and devoted wife, Lisa. Cristian Solimeno also gives a standout performance as Leeson's hapless and naive colleague, Peter Baring, who becomes increasingly suspicious of his friend's activities but is powerless to stop him.

While Rogue Trader is a gripping thriller that tackles complex financial concepts and exposes the darker side of the banking industry, it also has a more subtle and poignant message. At its core, the movie is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corruption that can arise in any system that revolves around money.

Overall, Rogue Trader is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that delves into the intricate web of financial transactions and the moral complexities of the banking industry. McGregor's performance as Nick Leeson is riveting, bringing to life a character who is at once charming and deceitful, ambitious and reckless. With its electrifying plot and powerful performances, Rogue Trader is a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of finance or the darker workings of human nature.

Rogue Trader is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.