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WALLSTREET
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Wall Street (1987)
Classic Movie Review
Directed by Oliver Stone
Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen
Review by Mike Peters
Synopsis:
In 1985, an ambitious young broker, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) is lured into the illegal, lucrative world of corporate espionage when he is seduced by the power, status and financial wizardry of Wall Street legend Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas).
Review:
Janwillem Van De Weterling once said that: “greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough”. Greed is good according to Gordon Gekko. It is the template of society. Without greed, there would be no progression, no desire, no nothing.
Michael Douglas’s portrayal of Gordon Gekko is masterly. The slick and calculating financier who uses and abuses the people around him is perhaps one of the most vile and despicable characters in film history. However, for as much as the audience hates him, they can never take their eyes off of him. He controls the gaze and manipulates and twists the emotions of the people he is trying to convince. As he notes to Bud Fox, there are no friends in the business world: “If you want a friend, buy a dog”.
Gekko’s name has clearly been inspired by the insect that feeds off insects less powerful. Scaly and slithery, the gecko is a creature that is quite innocent from a physical perspective but is driven by a desire to live and survive in the jungles of the land from all adversaries. Gordon Gekko is exactly the same. He is not content with merely surviving in the jungles of the business world but rather is determined to destroy all of his competition with a vengeance. He is a greedy, self absorbed mongrel but people attach themselves to him as if they were moths to a flame. Bud Fox fits this analogy to a tee and is definitely burned by it.
The 1980s was a decade in search of an identity. The 1960s and 1970s had been tumultuous years for America and great change was thus needed in the 80s in order to instill some sort of defined leadership to appease society. When Ronald Reagan entered the White House in 1980, he demanded alterations in hopes of witnessing the revival of The United States of America. He pushed forward the prospect of individual freedom and the idea that the individual could accomplish anything on the strength of himself rather then through a reliance on government institutions. In connection with this, Reagan also wanted to reinvigorate the United States economy. As a result, the 1980s became more about the self rather then the country for many individuals. Driven by the idea that dreams could be accomplished through capitalistic practices, America became a self-absorbed culture of excess.
Bud Fox is a man driven by these very needs. A broker who frantically must sell himself to clients all day long finally begins to become disillusioned with his current status. At one point, he notes that he wonders when he will be on the other end of the line. Instead of selling, he wants to be buying. His desire is to be like Gordon Gekko. He is passionate and determined and after 40 days of constant harassment, Gekko finally agrees to see Fox. But he is in over his head from the get go. When he enters Gekko’s luxurious office (which is ten times the size of his apartment on the upper west side of New York), he stares in amazed wonderment. Gekko is such an imposing figure that he intimidates the young Fox. Being slightly coy with him, he demands that Bud tell him something worthwhile. He is playing and toying with him the entire time and is setting him up for the kill. That is until Fox surprises him with a tip. Gekko no longer feels the need to kill him off (figuratively) and cast him back out in the harsh world of bureaucratic business. Gekko understands that he can now use him and mold him into someone who can help him become even richer.
Fox is so enamored by the chance to alter his present situation of financial strain that he quickly is enveloped into the lecherous world of Gekko. Immediately, Fox begins to change both externally and internally. His suits become darker, his hair becomes slicker rather then frazzled, his ideals begin to change and arrogance begins to manifest itself from within (which has never been transparent before). In one instance, his desire to become someone has corrupted his ideals and has transformed him into the man Gekko wants him to be.
Oliver Stone provides an interesting sub-story at this point of the film. Fox’s father, Carl (Martin Sheen), is an honorable working class man who fixes airplanes. He is a morally centered man. He dreams that his son will make something of his life and desires the best for him. He truly cares for his son whereas Gekko merely uses him. In a sense, Carl Fox and Gordon Gekko are vying for the soul of Bud. He must choose between the ideals emphasized by the character traits of these two men. Bud’s desire has always been to become successful and rich and he is easily manipulated by the temptation of what Gekko has to offer him. Gekko not only blackens the soul of Bud but he also becomes a new father figure to him by lavishing gifts and women on him (which Carl never had the ability to do). Bud turns his back on his father because success has tainted him. Money has become his life; his new family.
Wall Street is not a perfect film in any way. In fact, it is not one of Stone’s masterpieces. But it does capture a time period with magnificent clarity as a result of Oliver Stone’s ability to capture greed at its finest. With this being said, there are some elements that take away from the overall impact of the film. For instance, Darryl Hannah’s performance is forgettable, Sean Young’s turn as Gekko’s wife is small and unmentionable (she is barely in the film although I assume that this is the point-the business world and personal world do not mix and Gekko has clearly chosen the professional world as his family), the music is typical cheesy 80’s fare and the self reflecting dialogue by Fox is sometimes forced and illogical.
Though the story follows a familiar trajectory with rise, fall and redemption elements, there is still something truly intoxicating about the film. As we journey with Fox, we realize what he is becoming. He is no longer in control of his destiny. He has sold his soul to the devil in order to feel superficially happy. It is a morality tale that can speak to the likes of everyone. How much is too much? Is financial success the true meaning of happiness? Gekko is happy but he never truly lives in this film. He lives for the money but for nothing else. Is this the symbol of what life should be? Only you, the individual, can decide for yourself.
Take a look and go back to the past! More Classic Reviews
 Batman 1989 dir. by Tim Burton starring Jack Nicholson Michael Keaton |  Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 dir. by Steven Spielberg starring Harrison Ford Karen Allen |
 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984 dir. by Steven Spielberg starring Harrison Ford Kate Capshaw |  Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 1989 dir. by Steven Spielberg starring Harrison Ford Sean Connery |
 Heaven's Gate 1980 dir. by Michael Cimino starring Kris Kristofferson Christopher Walken |  Blade Runner 1982 dir. by Ridley Scott starring Harrison Ford Rutger Hauer |
 Dead Calm 1989 dir. by Phillip Noyce starring Nicole Kidman Sam Neill |  The Karate Kid 1984 dir. by John G. Avildsen starring Ralph Macchio Pat Morita Elisabeth Shue |
 Robocop 1987 dir. by Paul Verhoeven starring Peter Weller Ronny Cox |  Labyrinth 1986 dir. by Jim Henson starring Jennifer Connelly David Bowie |
 Born on the 4th of July 1989 dir. by Oliver Stone starring Tom Cruise Willem Dafoe |  A Nightmare on Elm Street 1984 dir. by Wes Craven starring Amanda Wyss Johnny Depp |
 The Untouchables 1987 dir. by Brian De Palma starring Kevin Costner Sean Connery |  The Mission 1986 dir. by Roland Joffé starring Robert DeNiro Jeremy Irons |
 Raging Bull 1980 dir. by Martin Scorsese starring Robert DeNiro Joe Pesci |  Say Anything 1989 dir. Cameron Crowe starring John Cusask Ione Skye Lili Taylor |
 Do the Right Thing 1989 dir. Spike Lee starring Spike Lee Danny Aiello Ozzie Davis |  Big 1988 dir. Penny Marshall starring Tom Hanks Elizabeth Perkins |
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