Margin Call · written by J.C. Chandor · 2011

Sarah presses Jared for a shared strategy to protect themselves from Tuld’s blame.

Scene 49 of 76 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Sarah Robertson
Jared Cohen

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 56 min into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 49

When a junior analyst discovers exposure that could wipe out his investment bank, its executives race to unload the danger on their customers while a veteran executive confronts the price of helping them survive.

Scenes 1–12
The bank’s surviving employees return to familiar routines after firing Eric; Sam manages the floor while his dog is dying.
Scenes 13–23
Peter uncovers a threat to the firm’s survival and forces Will and Sam to respond.
Scenes 24–33
Peter’s work travels upstairs; Sam and the juniors enter Jared’s executive world and expose the scale of the risk.
Scenes 34–44
Management checks the model, debates its implications and brings Tuld into the emergency.
Scenes 45–46
Tuld offers a way for the bank to survive: sell before everyone else understands the risk; Sam names the price in broken trust.
Just before
Scene 46
Alone with Tuld, Sam resists knowingly ruining clients; Tuld insists that the firm must get out first.
Scene 47
Sam tells the younger men to remember the day; Will sends Seth to collect breakfast.
Scene 48
Sarah joins Jared and a housekeeper at the elevator.
Scene 49
This scene

49INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

SARAH ROBERTSON

So what’s the strategy here?

JARED COHEN

That’s where I’m headed right now,

downstairs to work on it with my guys.

SARAH ROBERTSON

No, you and I... with Tuld.

JARED COHEN

I’m not sure we need one, Sarah. That’s

not the way I’ve ever done this.

SARAH ROBERTSON

(with distinct sarcasm)

Please.

JARED COHEN

He knows where we both have stood on this

all along. There’s nothing more to do.

This pushes a button with her.

SARAH ROBERTSON

That’s exactly my point, and knowing what

was discussed by both you and I with him,

I don’t see how that can possibly you

with anything but a false sense of

comfort.

JARED COHEN

I’m not looking for a sense of comfort

here, Sarah. I don’t think there is one

to be found.

The elevator door opens and the housekeeper gets off. Sarah walks after her, but turns to Tuld first.

SARAH ROBERTSON

So again, what’s the strategy here?

JARED COHEN

On this particular front, I’m just not

sure there’s much left to do.

SARAH looks at him trying to judge the situation.