Boom Bust Boom

Boom Bust Boom, a 2015 movie directed by Terry Jones, Bill Jones, and Ben Timlett, is a brilliant exploration of the recurring cycle of ‘Boom and Bust’ in the financial markets and economies around the globe. This compelling documentary is a synthesis of live-action, animation, puppetry, and expert interviews. The film provides a critical and humorous insight into the complex world of economic cycle patterns, financial crises, and the structural faults underlying the global economy.

The film primarily stars Terry Jones, a former member of the acclaimed comedy group Monty Python, who also serves as our guide and narrator through the intricate world of economic booms and busts. Alongside him, notable figures such as George Magnus, an exceedingly respected economist, and Robert Shiller, a Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, offer their significant contribution and perspectives. Their rich insights are combined with Jones' humorous and clear narrative, making the movie an intriguing mix of comedy, economics, history, and social critique.

Paired with his unique and entertaining cinematic style, Terry Jones delves into the history of major financial calamities such as the Dutch 'Tulip Mania' and the Wall Street Crash of 1929, aiming to reveal how these distant historical events still hold crucial lessons for the contemporary economic landscape. This blend of storytelling and education serves as a tool for decoding some of the most complex economic theories and events for a broader audience, making the topic not just approachable but enjoyable too.

A major theme explored in the film is the role of human psychology and behaviour in these periodic economic disturbances. Through various graphic representations and metaphorical sequences, the film raises the question of whether we are systematic irrational when it comes to decision-making in economies. It further provokes thought around if the financial system’s periodic meltdowns are generational amnesia, willful blindness, or inherent parameters of a free market economy.

The movie interviews some of the most influential economists, historians, and psychologists around the globe like Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, former chief U.S. Department of Labor economist Heidi Shierholz, and British journalist John Cassidy. These interviews, interspersed throughout the film, balance the humor, offering a learned perspective on the gravity of global financial crises.

One significant portion of the film is dedicated to Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis, a theory ignored for decades which could shed light on economic cycles and their propensity to collapse. This narrative forms a significant chunk of the script and is pivotal to understanding the broader themes explored in the film.

Capitalism and its vulnerability to speculative bubbles is also a recurring theme. The film argues that capitalism inherently cycles between periods of prosperity and recession, making these boom and bust cycles an integral part of the system rather than an anomaly. This argument is presented through a careful intertwining of animation, history, personal stories, and expert opinions.

Boom Bust Boom is a satire-rich, thought-provoking, and high-spirited appraisal of the not-so-logical world of economics. It demands the viewers' attention and respects their intelligence, leaving them more informed and inquisitive. It is an entertaining ride into the history of financial disasters, their underlining causes, and the need for a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach towards dealing with them.

In conclusion, Boom Bust Boom, through its captivating blend of witty and informative analysis, creates an unexpected yet successful fusion of education and entertainment. This film, peppered with humor, wisdom, puppetry, and important life lessons, ensures that the viewers are treated to an economic crash course unlike any other. It serves as an engaging reminder that in order to successfully navigate our future, we must be willing to learn from our past.