Documentary Description
At this writing in early 2006, the principal players in the sordid
drama of Enron — believed by some accusers to be the most egregious
corporate malefactors in American history — are about to go on trial
for pillaging their company and devaluing its stock, leaving thousands
of employees and investors holding the bag while they absconded with
millions.
Alex Gibney’s documentary examines the meteoric rise
and spectacular fall of this Houston, Texas-based firm, which for a
time made its top officers wealthy beyond their wildest dreams, and all
by engaging in business practices alleged to have been little more than
a complex shell game.
Enron founder Ken Lay and his successor as CEO, Jeff
Skilling, are pretty well skewered in Gibney’s film, which in its own
way is every bit as riveting as a suspense thriller. Without putting
too fine a point of it, the film has all the elements of Greek tragedy;
it is hubris that ultimately brings down the main characters.
Arrogance, pride, power, the abuse of power – they’re all here.
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