I mentioned last week I was going to review “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” but then I realized you should watch the original “Wall Street” before watching the sequel. Plus, I didn’t want to review a film made in 2010.
I mentioned last week I was going to review “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” but then I realized you should watch the original “Wall Street” before watching the sequel. Plus, I didn’t want to review a film made in 2010.
In 1987 Oliver Stone chose to examine a subject that at the time was only starting — GREED. Well, good ‘’ol fashioned American greed. Now, again I must say that this film is, “To examine a topic. It doesn’t claim complete truth (but is accurate).” Oliver Stone was quoted saying “kids driving a porsche at age 22 before the ‘80s was un-heard of. Kids today make more a year then elders made in a life-time (some) on Wall Street.”
Michael Douglas (“The Game”) plays Gordon Gecko, a Wall Street billionaire that is seemingly un-stoppable due to his networth. However, “Wall Street” shows us, we are all prone to failure. I’m not being religious but there is a famous quote “pride cometh before the fall.” That’s this movie. This movie is also a shining moment for Charlie Sheen (“Platoon”), in his second collaboration with Stone and his second film, he brilliantly plays Bud Fox (a young up-and-coming stock broker).
The film asks the question, “Is greed good?” Although the movie says “Greed for lack of the better word, is good.” For those who have seen “Wall Street,” Michael Douglas nailed that famous speech in one-take. The movie had behind the scenes troubles with director Oliver Stone constantly butting heads with Michael Douglas. Michael Douglas was quoted in Stone’s biography as saying “I respected Oliver, but didn’t like him until I won the Oscar.” The movie is timeless and upon viewing is a scary window into what has happened since.
We are all guilty of what this movie shows us. So it’s not a bad thing. It was made within a few months of the stock market crash of 1987. Oliver Stone took guff in the media, but how could he know? The theme throughout Stone’s work is that he’s always giving us a view into the future. Which is what every good, true artist does. This film was also made at an interesting time in Stone’s career. It was his third film and he had recently won the Best Director Oscar for 1986’s “Platoon” (a must see). Oliver Stone quickly jumped into his next film to avoid any “one-good movie” accusations.
For you readers and viewers new to these films, you have a great chance here to pay close attention to “Wall Street” and you will enjoy “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” even more. Next week we close the Oliver Stone month by honoring the pro-bowl and end of the football season with “Any Given Sunday” starring Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and James Woods. I hope that my reviews of “The Doors”, “JFK”, “W.” and “Wall Street” inspires you to go to imdb.com and check out Oliver Stone’s other films. They all have something to offer.
Year: 1987
Studio: Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen
Oscar: Best Actor (Michael Douglas)
1. Casualties of War (1987)
2. United 93 (2006)
3. American Gangster (2007)
4. Blood Diamond (2006)
5. The Firm (1993)
6. 8 Mile (2003)
7. Thank you for Smoking (2006)
8. There Will be Blood (2007)
9. 21 Grams (2004)
10. 21 (2008)
