The only thing more boring than a movie set in a Wall Street brokerage office (and not directed by Oliver Stone, mind you), is a Wall Street movie with none of the trading and backstabbing sport that such screams for. Yet, to be (ahem) fair, the Netflix original movie Fair Play instead has its focus on an illicit romance within such a contemptuous setting and the aftereffects that a surprise promotion brings to the relationship. Even understanding all that, Fair Play remains a boring look into an unhealthy relationship. 

 

Written and directed by Chloe Domont, Fair Play is set in the stressful world of the hedge fund-obsessed. Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) are both co-workers and lovers; theirs is an ardent relationship that remains a secret to those at the office. They have plans; they dream; they share a shower. When Emily is bestowed a surprising – and substantial – promotion, Luke’s carefree smile all-too quickly turns into grumpy whining. Resentment kicks in. Emily finds herself fighting for agency in a sexist environment while longing for her loving man. 

 

Labeled as an erotic thriller, Fair Play is neither sexy nor thrilling. Fair Play could succeed as a workplace drama but the dissolving relationship is painfully ordinary. Anger and resentment merely result in Millennial-style ghosting; emotions never reach a rabbits-in-a-stew boiling point.

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Phoebe Dynevor plays the role of Emily with passion and grace. She is conflicted over her loyalty to the firm and a love for Luke. She also delivers some rather clunky, inane dialogue, especially when proving she has what it takes to hang with the guys. Not only that, but doing so drastically goes against the theme of giving her character – as a strong woman – agency in the alpha male’s world of finance.

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On the other hand, Ehrenreich, who once played a fun-if-flawed Han Solo, annoyingly pouts and cries for the majority of the runtime. Luke never grows as a character. He shrinks. He withers. Luke asks Emily how he got so lucky being with her – a question echoed by the audience. And goes answered. 

 

Given the chance, and with a stronger script, this could work as a serious drama. One could easily envision Fair Play as a dark, 1970s era drama directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Dustin Hoffman and Susan George. Sadly, the Netflix movie plays out like a transitory streamed release destined to become a blip on IMDb. Fair or not.