JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Wall Street (1987) - Trailer Included
Wall Street
DVD cover
Starring: Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Terrence Stamp, Hal Holbrook, John C McGinley
“The richest one percent of this country owns half our country's wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation. It's bullshit. You got ninety percent of the American public out there with little or no net worth. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal. The news, war, peace, famine, upheaval, the price per paper clip. We pick that rabbit out of the hat while everybody sits out there wondering how the hell we did it. Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy? It's the free market. And you're a part of it. You've got that killer instinct. Stick around pal, I've still got a lot to teach you.” – Gordon Gekko
Named for the Financial district that is the heart of the U.S economy, Wall Street is a gripping drama in the classic Faustian style; a young talented idealist is exploited by a manipulative mentor looking to rip out his soul.
“Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.” - Lou
Fresh off his Oscar winning semi auto-biographical Vietnam war flick Platoon, Writer/Director Oliver Stone wrenched a gattling gun off the nearest Huey and took aim at the urban jungle of money traders, stock brokers and investment bankers.
Prophetic at the time of release with real life insider trading scams exposed in the months surrounding the premiere, continuing to this day.
“I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing.” – Gordon Gekko
Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) is the young gun hungry for power, privilege and wealth. Coming from a blue collar family, he is determined to redefine himself with money. Hindered only by a good upbringing he starts at the bottom, in a cubicle cold calling the rich in hopes of earning some business commissions.
“Stop going for the easy buck and start producing something with your life. Create, instead of living off the buying and selling of others” – Carl Fox
Tenacious with his eye on the prize Buddy has relentlessly phoned the unstoppable major player Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) for 59 days straight. On the day of Mr Gekko’s birthday he decides it is time to visit the office in person and try his luck with the secretary.
“Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.” – Bud Fox
Eventually allowed into the nerve centre offices of his idol, the gloss and glamour of this materialistic world immediately begins eroding his morality. taught to wear the right clothes, eat at the right restaurants and live in the right house at the expense of a family's livelihood.
“The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA. Thank you very much.” – Gordon Gekko
Last drink Dad....I promise.
John Doe Says:
Scrutinising the US Financial Market and its rules of the game, Wall Street diligently paints a detailed portrait of greedy corporate raiders, as corrupt and dangerous as serial killers.
Often sociopaths they exist only to buy then destroy companies, in the process putting thousands out of work for a lucrative profit. Encouraged by the system, exploiting its fatal flaws to feed selfish ego’s they treat stocks and public holdings like poker cards at a $5 Vegas table.
Oliver Stone (Natural Born Killers, Salvador, JFK) operates his imagination in an authentic hyper reality, the take no prisoners world of market manipulation resembles a battleground in many ways. Stone ensures that as the stakes rise imminent danger lurks whenever trading on the floor begins.
Accurate language and infinite research mean his script is polished, sleek and beautiful to the ear, mirroring the façade strived for so brutally in real life Armani counterparts.
Words are used as weapons in a civilised mans blood sport and Stone excels at character exposing monologues and verbal jousting as the pissing contest side of succeeding in business at all costs elevates.
Right from the opening montage as we approach downtown N.Y.C. the cinematography is immersing us in rich images that draw out emotion, colours for tone and light for atmosphere.
Michael Douglas (The Game, Coma, China Syndrome) redfined himself with this part. Stuck in a type cast rut for a while afterwards because of its bold portrayal of a charismatic personality that cohabitates within a vile and ugly man.
According to the actor on the Making of documentary on the disc he captured a stereo type with such skill that Gordon Gekko is mistakenly worshipped as a role model by many in the financial district.
The film that proved that in the right role Charlie Sheen (Platoon, Ferris Bueller) is capable of great things. His own trajectory in ways echoes his part and it’s easy to accept him as the blinded by rewards Bud Fox.
The scenes with real life father Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now, Badlands) are some of the best in his career. The ones with Daryl Hannah (Blade Runner, Kill Bill) are a text book case of miscasting.
Terence Stamp (The Collector, Superman II) appears in a few scenes, still he manages to add an extra dimension of class to proceedings as does Hal Holbrook (All The Presidents Men, Dirty Harry).
Capturing a self serving and corrupted era that began the recycled generation with equal skill to American Psyco, without the hindsight. John Doe grew up in the 80's and saw this one first time round, it had an astounding effect on pop culture. Influencing fashion (Suspenders anyone?) and warping the morality of those blinded by there own devices.
A warning of things to come, it is often forgotten that it is also a fantastic film, tightly wound and thoughtful from its first frame to the last.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Directors Commentary, Making of and Trailer
Watch the trailer below
The now famous "Greed is Good" speech.
Horrorphile
Celebrity Obsession
This is a great movie though. Michael Douglas is superb in it. Actually everyone in the movie (except for Darryl Hannah) is great.
I'll have to watch it again. I don't think I've seen it in at least a decade.
Horrorphile
great review! I loved this movie...I have it on DVD...
Keep up the good work!
Take care,
Nick
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Bryn,
Its not my favourite stone film either, but Im a big fan of teh Director and this si one of his most accessible films...personally Ima talk Radio, NBK, Salvador kinda guy.
JfK still astounds every time I watch it
Film & TV on DVD
Watching the film through 2007 eyes exposes the centeral themes alot more powerfully. Its a very well made piece fo cinema.
Glad you dig the review
Film & TV on DVD
Always happy when someone who lieks the movie thinks my writing does it justice.
A very important film..
The making of Doco on the DVD is well worth a look.
Hi Black Warrior,
It captures the time and place so well. The dialogue is still astoundingly appropriate too.
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Film & TV on DVD
The cinema fates have aligned, you must watch it now.
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Dead on about Darryl Hanna -no chemistry. Loved her in Bladerunner though...
D.
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Of course, it was great. There's no debate. A well-made, fascinating film... I didn't really understand a lot of the business stuff, though.
And the DVD wouldn't play the end!
D. Armenta, I agree, Hannah was flat in this one, though I've liked her in a lot of other stuff...
Film & TV on DVD
Damn I would have been taking some lives, the film completes its arc with a resolution that has been misunderstood ever since.
Its not a twist just an important comment on the morality of the players.