Wall Street: Movie Analysis
Wall Street
“Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works, greed clarifies—cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all its forms—greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge—has marked the upward surge of mankind” (O. Stone).
In 1987 the by Oliver Stone directed movie Wall Street was released, starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. The former played the character Gordon Gekko, who, according to the intended message of the movie, was supposed to be the villain, representing the greed in the financial sector. However, Gekko did not turn out to be the villain for everybody; he became a cult hero in the financial sector. The sector that bears great responsibility for the 2008 financial crisis in the United States, in which greed played a crucial role. By presenting greed in an appealing way, Wall Street increased the extent to which greed
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The main character, Bud Fox is anxious to work for him. Gekko sees potential in Fox, and becomes his mentor, guiding him towards success and wealth. However, their friendship and partnership ends when Gekko plans to destroy Fox’s father’s company. But despite the fact that Gekko, driven by greed, betrays his friend, his portrayal as villain is inadequate. Gekko is a successful, intelligent, and charismatic millionaire. He went to city-college and got rich by himself. The emoluments of his work include beautiful women, limousines, a private jet, a house on the beach and a spacious office (J. Stone 84). According to Arsenault, Gekko compromises the cautionary tale about the “shallowness of Wall Street’s money worshipers”(23). Stone argues that when the incentives for evil behavior are appealing, the acts are less immoral (84). Thus, by portraying Gekko and his life in such a compelling way, Oliver Stone allowed for Wall Street’s villain to become a cult hero, thereby undermining his film’s initial
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