Capital

At the helm of a vast European investment bank, a driven chief executive fights to stay in control as an aggressive American hedge fund closes in on a takeover. The story follows Marc Tourneuil as he threads a path through endless boardroom theatrics, media pressure, and quiet personal compromises. As bids escalate, loyalties blur and alliances shift, forcing him to balance the demands of shareholders, regulators, and his own ambitions. The tension comes from real world stakes rather than explosions, turning finance into a high stakes drama about reputation, power, and what people will sacrifice for a chance to shape the future of a financial empire. The film uses measured pacing to keep the focus on consequences rather than melodrama.

Released in 2012, Capital was directed by Costa-Gavras. It adapts material from Jean-Claude Grumberg, Karim Boukercha and Stéphane Osmont, placing a sharp political thriller inside a European investment bank and highlighting the human costs behind big money and influence in modern markets.

Critics treated Capital as a timely critique of corporate power and moral compromise in finance. The film favors a disciplined, documentary feel rather than flashy action, using intimate scenes and careful dialogue to probe responsibility, loyalty, and the price of ambition. Some reviewers wished for more nuance in its approach.

Capital may not have sparked an avalanche of quotable lines or instantly iconic images, yet it sits firmly in Costa-Gavras' tradition of scrutinizing power. Its European setting and banker's portrait contribute to ongoing conversations about globalization, ethics, and responsibility, offering a pointed reminder that financial decisions affect real lives.

Box office data for Capital is not widely reported, reflecting a limited release in France and other European markets. The film did not mount a broad worldwide campaign and remains primarily of interest to viewers following political cinema and Costa-Gavras' body of work.