Human Capital

Human Capital is a timely and thought-provoking drama that follows the intertwined stories of two families as their lives and fortunes are dramatically altered by a tragic accident.

The film is set in upstate New York, where a group of wealthy businessmen and their families live in luxurious mansions and attend lavish parties. At the center of the story is Quint Manning (Liev Schreiber), a successful hedge fund manager with a troubled teenage daughter named Shannon (Maya Hawke). Quint is trying to impress his new investor, Drew Hagel (Peter Sarsgaard), in the hopes of securing even more financing for his already successful business.

The other main family in the film is headed by Gina (Marisa Tomei), a real estate agent and single mother struggling to provide for her teenage daughter, and her new and wealthy husband, Jonathan (Jeremy Strong), who is the owner of the company that Quint works for.

The story begins at a dinner party hosted by Gina and Jonathan, where Drew and his wife, Carrie (Betty Gabriel), are in attendance. Drew takes an interest in Shannon and invites her to join his daughter Beth (Lola Kirke) at a fundraiser for a local college where Drew has made a sizable donation. When they leave the party, Shannon insists on driving herself and Beth, but ends up hitting a cyclist on the road.

From there, the lives of both families unravel as they deal with the fallout of the accident. The film is divided into three sections, each told from the perspective of a different character, allowing the audience to see the story unfold from multiple angles.

Liev Schreiber delivers a standout performance as Quint, a man who has devoted his life to making money and giving his family the best of everything. However, as the film progresses, we see the cracks in his veneer as the accident forces him to confront his own misguided priorities and the strained relationship he has with his daughter.

Marisa Tomei is also excellent as Gina, a woman who has struggled her entire life but is still fighting to provide for her family. Her character is the most sympathetic in the film, and as we watch her navigate the consequences of the accident and the subsequent revelations about her husband's business dealings, we can't help but root for her.

Peter Sarsgaard is memorable as Drew, giving a nuanced performance as a man who is both charming and ruthless. His character's motivations are murky, which only adds to the tension and uncertainty of the film.

Director Marc Meyers does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the audience guessing until the very end. The script, which is based on the 2004 Italian novel of the same name by Stephen Amidon, touches on themes of wealth inequality, social class, and the lengths people will go to protect their own interests.

Human Capital is a powerful and engaging film that explores complex moral issues and leaves the audience with plenty to ponder long after the credits have rolled. It's a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas and anyone looking for a thought-provoking and compelling story.