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Wall Street Movie Review - Greed
Is Good
by John Q. Miller
Wall Street
Director: Oliver Stone Starring: Michael Douglas,
Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, Daryl Hannah
"Greed is Good!"
Wall Street takes place in 1985. If you can look
past the monochrome computer monitors, the 5-pound
“brick” cell phones, and the 80s style
of “big hair” – there are many themes
that are still timely and very applicable today.
Wall Street is the story of the rise and fall of
Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a bored and ambitious young
account executive (a.k.a. stockbroker). The themes
of greed, ambition, integrity, and temptation run
through this film about cutthroat business.
Michael Douglas, who won an Oscar for his portrayal
of Gordon Gecko, the villain who quotes Sun Tzu’s
Art of War, talks of ripping people’s throats
out, and turns Bud to the Dark Side. Gordon shows
Bud the tremendous rewards and power that are available
through the application of insider information and
stock price manipulation.
Bud overcomes his initial ethical objections when
the money starts rolling in and he acquires a plush
new condo, a trophy girlfriend (Daryl Hannah), and
the awe of his fellow stockbrokers. Mentored by
Gordon and his quips like “if you are not inside
– you are outside, sheep get slaughtered, and
greed is good”, Bud increasingly takes greater
risks in crossing ethical and legal guidelines.
The turning point of this rise to fortune involves
deceit, betrayal, and the apprentice becoming the
master. Blue Star Airlines, one of the securities
that is the subject of Gordon and Bud’s interest,
faces some of the same problems of profitability,
union relations, and financing that the airline
industry, specifically American Airlines, is currently
experiencing. Ironically, it is corporate raider
Gordon Gecko who exposes the waste and corruption
of corporate executives at another company, Teldar
Paper - which in some ways resembles Enron.
Wall Street is a great and entertaining movie. It
also offers valuable insight into insider trading,
securities manipulation, corporate raiders, and
the lifestyles and personalities of Wall Street
wizards and professionals. Even if you have already
seen it, watch it again! It’ll increase your
understanding of the inner workings of the stock
market.
About The Author
This review is courtesy of John Q. Miller at http://www.MoneyLighthouse.com
where you can find personal finance information
to help you navigate through the fog of money management.
You may purchase this movie and personal finance
books from the site at an incredible discount too! |
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