Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

I went to watch a docu-drama or docu-movie on Enron. I have been fascinated by this case since it was brought to public's awareness in year 2002 I think. I simply love this movie by Alex Gibney, in the form of its narration, snippets from actual preceedings, actual phone calls as proofs to support the case and the chronology of the whole 'lie' about Enron - what perceived to be the 7th largest company with asset of more than $70 billion (at one time), when in actuality, it was nothing more than a well orchestrated corporate lie!

I will not bore you with details. It was my first docu-movie in a cinema and I love it. The story-telling was all perfect with emphasis on details. What appeared to be misconception in my head into believing manipulation of numbers on the cashflow statement as far as this overwhelmingly cited case of Enron is concerned, it was an obvious display of greed, lie, deception, manipulation, irresponsible and unethical corporate practice. It was damn well planned when even their lawyers and accountants (Arthur Andersen) were well 'bought' into the whole lie-scheme that lasted them for years. Nothing stopping them. After all, they were run by greeds. Money rules. They aimed for more zeroes!

What fascinated me more is the connection of Enron (Kenneth Lay) who was supporting Bush (the first) for its political campaign. Ultimately, during the prepartion of Bush Jr., the whole legacy of deception continues in the name of power and money (in the movie personal videos were shown by Bush Sr. and Bush Jr., dedicated to a particular staff at Enron, bizarre!). It was indeed shocking when California faced the power crisis (what? 6th largest economic capital in world having power crisis?), it was the work of Enron and Lay - turning off the power grids resulting immediate cut in power, leading to skyrocketting price of Enron stocks - brilliant! In a bad way of course. It happened at the expense of social negligence - the casulties and death resulted by power cuts in California at that time. Money and power - no one can even think straight.

Well, I recommend this docu-film definitely. I have placed an order via Amazon for the book called 'The Smartest Guys in the Room' by Fortune reporter Bethany McLean. She was the first to discover the 'numbers do not add up' in Enron's cashflow; that set the end of Enron. She ignited the interest of 'asking why' to all figures reported, which in great irony, I reflected on Enron's tagline - ENRON, ASK WHY.

I am not a film critic or whatever, but, I love this docu-drama/film. Uh by the way, the Cambridge Film Festival will start on 6th July, as a matter of fact I have targeted to see one or two; depending on how much money I have left (now I wish I am connected to one of the former Enron's smartest guys).