Must-watch movies for MBA students
Tired of case studies, lectures, and job hunts? Here’s something to lighten your burden: a list of great movies that give you valuable life and business lessons. Go, enjoy.
Wall Street (1987)
Director: Oliver Stone. Genre: Drama, romance. Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlee Sheen, Tamara Tunie, Daryl Hannah. Running time: 126 minutes.
Plot: A stock broker accepts the tutelage of a millionaire but unprincipled corporate raider to make it big on Wall Street.
Why is it here? The movie draws the curtains off the secrets and shenanigans of business. It shows how mottos like “Money is everything” and “Greed is good” can lead people to their ruin.
Up in the Air (2009)
Director: Jason Reitman. Genre: Comedy, drama.
…show more content…
The story of Chris Gardner shows that determination can make dreams come true and that character and attitude are essential qualities for success.
Office Space (1999)
Director: Mike Judge. Genre: Comedy. Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Ron Livingstone, Stephen Root. Running time: 89 minutes.
Plot: Three workers who hate their jobs decide to challenge their greedy boss.
Why is it here? A hysterically humorous take on the typical daily office routine. Although it depicts IT workers, the film makes sense to anyone who has ever held an office job. It is a funny case study of office politics and poor management.
The Social Network (2010)
Director: David Fincher. Genre: Biographical drama. Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake. Running time: 120 minutes.
Plot: Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social network website that is now famous as Facebook but faces lawsuits filed by two brothers who claim Zuckerberg stole their idea. Zuckerberg is also accused of drastically diluting the stake of a co-founder during FB’s incorporation.
Why is it here? Perhaps, no business idea has taken the world by storm so hugely as FB. The film teaches the nuances of entrepreneurship and the growth of the world’s youngest
…show more content…
Enron—The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005; John Beard, Tim Belden, Barbara Boxer; 110 minutes): What really happened at Enron? See this documentary about how Enron’s corrupt business practices led to its fall.
Inside Job (2010; Matt Damon; 105 minutes): This documentary analyzes the systemic failures of the US financial services industry that caused the 2008 meltdown.
Barbarians at the Gate (1993; James Garner, Jonathan Pryce; 107 minutes): The president of a large tobacco company wants to buy the company but there are other bidders. Watch this film for a deep understanding of hostile takeovers and leveraged buyouts.
Norma Rae (1979; Sally Field, Beau Bridges; 114 minutes): A young single mother who works in a textile mill decides to help her colleagues unionize, despite the risks.
Margin Call (2011; Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey; 107 minutes): Margin Call portrays the activities of key players at an investment bank in the early stages of the 2008 financial