Many have likely heard the famous line delivered by Michael Douglas in the Oliver Stone directed movie Wall Street (1987). The notion of corporate excess that in some ways defined the political conversations of the 1980s expressed itself as Douglas in his role as Gordon Gecko pronounced in a monologue that “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” The boldness of that full speech, and the conflict within this movie, motivates much of the stakes explored in this movie.
The movie Wall Street, as written by Oliver Stone and Stanley Weiser, includes at its core the notion for buying and selling stock on Wall Street in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York. A central question involves how well this can play with creating and managing profitable industry with employment wither with or against the financial and political systems that give people a sense that both can work in combination. The Fox family reflects this question, exemplified through Bud Fox and his parents, Carl Fox and Mrs. Fox. Millie Perkins, Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen portray Mrs. Fox, Carl Fox and Bud Fox, respectively.
Bud Fox works as a junior stockbroker at Jackson Steinem & Co. in New York City, having the typical difficulty of many folks when making cold calls of making the volume of success that he is after. Bud’s stockbroker friend, Marvin, sees similar ups and downs filling a similar role with the same company in the workstation next to Bud. Marvin is portrayed by John C. McGinley. Bud’s story takes a bold turn when after roughly two-months of trying to land a meeting with legendary stock trader Gordon Gecko, Fox lands a face-to-face with Gecko by bringing Gecko a present of illegal Cuban cigars on Gecko’s birthday.
The fact that Bud Fox made his way into Gecko was a first step into establishing a positive impression. The legitimate analysis that Bud brought wasn’t enough to hold Gecko’s attention, though a decision made on the spot with knowledge about Bluestar Airlines makes the mark. It’s this that convinces Gecko to offer Bud Fox his, Gecko’s, distinct training, clout and industry connections to make an early career really grow.
The storyline grows from this premise, with the hustle of youth on the side of Bud Fox. The knowledge Gordon Gecko teaches Bud Fox runs afoul of some of the ethical standards that Carl Gox, Bud Fox’s father, lives by. The first step of building this trust included taking honest, legitimately researched investments suggested by senior stockbroker Lou Mannheim. Hal Holbrook portrayed Mannheim. These investments lose money.
Gecko gives Bud Fox a second chance, which involves following British investor Sir Larry Wildman. Terence Stamp portrayed Wildman, who Fox is able to offer is about to make a bid on Anacott Steel. This results in a wildly lucrative yet shady deal to the detriment of both the company and Wildman. Gecko rewards Bud Fox with the willingly offered intimacy services of interior decorator Darien Taylor. Daryl Hannah portrayed Darien Taylor.
This basic action comes with much of what proves useful to Gecko. The education and connections play themselves out, including through the family monologue offered by Gordon Gecko on the merits of greed. How long can this continue to function in this manner for Bud Fox, in an ethical and legal set of boundaries opposite those of his father. The compelling pieces for the larger message of the movie Wall Street rest in these conflicts, in addition to how the movie sets out to answer them.
The movie Wall Street represents subject matter that was new in the specific subject matter, inasmuch tackling stocks, economic questions, and a divide between working class and the financial class of the era. That the movie thematically tackled the feeling of class difference, exploitation, ethics and legality were not new fare for Oliver Stone. Overall, I found a compelling movie. I grant the movie Wall Street as directed by Oliver Stone 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.
Matt – Saturday, July 30, 2022
Matt Lynn Digital 