Wall Street (1987)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writers:

Stanley Weiser (written by) &
Oliver Stone (written by)

Release Date:

11 December 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Every dream has a price.

Plot:

A young and impatient stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless and greedy corporate raider whom takes the youth under his wing.

Plot Keywords:

Greed | Wall Street | Stock | Corporate Raider | Business

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Charlie Sheen	...	Bud Fox
Tamara Tunie	...	Carolyn
Franklin Cover	...	Dan
Chuck Pfeiffer	...	Chuckie (as Chuck Pfeifer)
John C. McGinley	...	Marvin
Hal Holbrook	...	Lou Mannheim
James Karen	...	Lynch
Leslie Lyles	...	Natalie
Michael Douglas	...	Gordon Gekko
Faith Geer	...	Natalie's Assistant
Frank Adonis	...	Charlie
John Capodice	...	Dominick
Martin Sheen	...	Carl Fox
Suzen Murakoshi	...	Girl in Bed
Dani Klein	...	Receptionist

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:M | Netherlands:12 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

21 Club - 21 West 52nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Oliver Stone later admitted that everyone involved told him Daryl Hannah was miscast and told him to replace her, but he was too proud. This caused tension on set particularly with Sean Young who wanted the role herself.

Goofs:

Continuity: Wildman is shown typing on a computer keyboard. The camera pulls back to reveal a darkened, blank screen.

Quotes:

Gordon Gekko: I look at a hundred deals a day. I pick one.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Deal (2005)

Soundtrack:

FLY ME TO THE MOON

Taut, sharply written thriller

I mainly purchased the DVD, because of two reasons: Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. I'm quite an admirer of both actors. I have virtually no knowledge about the stock market, or about stocks themselves. Those who are in the market or have vast knowledge about stocks will probably enjoy the film much more. However, I still enjoyed the film. When a movie's really good, it doesn't matter whether or not the audience member is interested in the topic. Besides, the film boils down to basic universal themes, like selling your soul to the devil and money being the root of all evil.

The characters are interesting and richly developed, with the exception of Darryl Hannah's underwritten character. I can see why she didn't like playing that role. Douglas is always a joy to watch, and makes a suave yet slimy villain. I wouldn't necessarily say he deserved an Oscar, but he did a fine job nonetheless. So did Charlie Sheen, who is actually the star of the film despite the fact that most people remember "Wall Street" for Douglas as Gordon Gecko. Sheen gives a fine multi-dimensional performance. I love the scenes between him and his father Martin Sheen, who plays his father in the film. Oliver Stone made a great choice casting the father-and-son team, since the tension in their scenes feels very authentic.

There are some predictable plot turns and character arcs, but altogether Stone keeps the excitement going. I like how the climactic scene between Douglas and Sheen is shot without cuts, with the camera moving from person to person, keeping the tension going. If I knew at least an inkling about the stock market, I wouldn't be completely lost during certain scenes, but what can you do? I still think it's a fine film with solid performances.

My score: 7 (out of 10)