Wall Street (1987) – Encore Review

“The main thing about money, Bud, is that it makes you do things you don’t want to do.” – Lou

Number of Times Seen – Between 5-10 times (cable in the 80’s, video, 22 Jul 2015 and 25 Aug 2019)

Link to original review – Here

Brief Synopsis – An ambitious stock broker tries to make a connection with a wealthy financier in order to get ahead in his career.

My Take on it – THis is a film that I recall seeing numerous times on cable when it came out in the late 80’s.

My step father was a stock broker at one point in his life, so he was able to ge me some insight into the world that this film takes place in.

That being said, I have no real mind for economics or the business world and they largely remain incomprehensible to me even after all of these years.

The story immediately dives into the complex and fast world of the stock market and corporate America and it instantly pulls the viewer in to it all.

Like in Platoon (1986) Oliver Stone once again chose a premise he is s familiar and comfortable with and it shows because things move so fluidly throughout while also giving us a clear idea of how it all works.

Charlie Sheen is a great choice for the lead role here of Bud Fox and it’s quite ironic that it seems as if his own acting career seems like it follows so well the rise and fall of the financial career of this character since there are lots of parallels between the two.

The fat remains tho that the actor who is most prominent in this film is Michael Douglas who gives us a near perfect performance as Gordon Gekko who has become so iconic over the years as the most vicious yet calm corporate raider portrayed in film.

He deservingly won an Oscar for Best Actor for his work here especially since he is able to easily steal every scene he appears in.

The supporting cast of this film is also great with Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook both shining in small yet significant roles of how it’s possible to be a part of the ‘forces of good’ in the corporate and financial world.

Darryl Hannah also stands out here as Sheen girlfriend, but unfortunately not in a good way.

He character is portrayed as being much too shallow and bland and fails t have any chemistry with either of the two leading men in the film.

The pacing of the film is done really well and the rapid fire dialogue and business deal scenes help get the viewer into the financial world as things unfold throughout.

Bottom Line – Great story that really dives into the world of the stock market and corporate America. Stone once again deals with a theme he is very familiar with and it shows since we get a clear understanding of how it all works. Sheen is great in the lead role and shows how much potential he has especially since the character he plays is in retrospect, the perfect analogy for his own acting career path. There is no question tho that Douglas steals every scene he is in by the way that he plays Gekko so viciously and calmly and he was quite deserving of his Oscar for Best Actor fr his work here. The supporting cast is also great with Sheen SR. and Holbrook both giving stellar performances as the ‘forces of good’ in the story. Hannah stands out among the rest of the cast but unfortunately not in a good way because her character seems much too shallow and bland and lacks any real chemistry with either of the leading men in this film. The plot is paced really well and the rapid fire scenes dealing with business deals are always fun to watch unfold. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – This is the only movie to win both an Oscar (Best Actor- Michael Douglas) and a Razzie (Worst Supporting Actress- Daryl Hannah), not just for acting, but in any category. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (8/10) (no change from original review)