THE DEAL

Year: 2005
USA: Deal Street Pictures
UK DVD: Metrodome Distribution
Cast: Christian Slater, Selma Blair, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Colm Feore, Angie Harmon, Kevin Tighe, Françoise Yip, Mike Dopud, Philip Granger, Aubrey Arnason, Frida Betrani, Jennifer Clement, Linda Darlow, Peter Hall, Christine Lippa, Paul McGillion, Cheslav Vinnk
Director: Harvey Kahn
Countries: Canada / USA
USA: 107 mins
UK: 103 mins
USA Rated: R for language and some violence
UK Certificate: 15
USA Release Date: 17 June 2005 (Limited Release)
UK DVD Release Date: 24 September 2007


Synopsis

Hindered by a war in the Middle East, the US is in the grip of the worst oil shortage in history. Gas prices skyrocket, further weakening an already faltering economy. Wall Street is hobbled by corruption. The nation is on edge.

Against this chaotic background, Wall Street big shot Tom Hansen (Christian Slater), is shocked by the death of his best friend Richard Kester (Paul McGillion), a top executive with Condor, one of the nation's leading oil companies. When Richard's boss, Jared Tolsen (Robert Loggia), approaches Tom to advise on a big oil merger his friend was working on, he jumps at the chance to kickstart his faltering career.

At the same time Tom persuades idealistic business school graduate Abbey Gallagher (Selma Blair) to join his prestigious investment bank to work on a deal that promotes alternative energy use. Tom finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Abbey's energy and enthusiasm, qualities long since lost in him. Sexual tension builds and they embark on a risky love affair.

Tom starts researching the Condor deal. The merger target is Black Star, a Russian oil company. Tom soon discovers that things are not as they should be. Black Star's oil regions are dry yet they still manage to deliver scarce oil to the US. Further investigations reveal sinister repercussions as Tom begins to uncover a global conspiracy of illegal oil trafficking, governmental cover-ups and murder.

Tom receives threats. He's forced to distance himself from Abbey to protect her. Believing he may be involved in something illegal, Abbey begins her own investigation leading to her kidnap by the Russian mafia when she too learns too much. With the clock ticking, Tom has to put his career, his reputation and even his life in jeopardy to protect Abbey and expose the truth about the deal.