Watch Wall Street
- R
- 1987
- 2 hr 6 min
-
7.3 (158,619)
"Wall Street" is a 1987 drama directed by Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, and Tamara Tunie. The film follows the rise of Bud Fox (Sheen), a young and ambitious stockbroker who dreams of working with the Wall Street legend Gordon Gekko (Douglas). Gekko takes Bud under his wing, teaching him the ways of the stock market and how to make the most money possible. As Bud becomes more involved in the business, he begins to realize the dark side of the industry and the unethical practices that his mentor and colleagues are engaging in. The film is set in the late 1980s, during the height of the stock market boom. Bud is a young and hungry broker who is determined to make a name for himself in the industry. He idolizes Gekko, the ruthless and successful investor who seems to have everything that Bud desires. With his charm and determination, Bud manages to get a meeting with Gekko and pitches him on his latest investment opportunity. Gekko is impressed by Bud's tenacity and hires him on the spot. As Bud begins working with Gekko, he begins to learn the tricks of the trade. He sees how his colleagues engage in insider trading, manipulation of stock prices, and other illegal practices to make a profit. Despite initially feeling uncomfortable, Bud quickly realizes that to succeed in the industry, he must play by their rules. Bud rises through the ranks quickly, making a lot of money and gaining the respect of his superiors, but he also becomes increasingly isolated from his family and friends. As Bud becomes more committed to his job, he begins to see the negative effects of the traders' actions on the real world. He becomes involved in a deal that could lead to the destruction of a small airline company, which would mean the loss of thousands of jobs. Bud's conscience begins to bother him, and he feels that he needs to take action. He decides to go to the authorities and expose the illegal practices of his colleagues, putting his job, reputation, and even his life in danger. Throughout the film, the relationship between Bud and Gekko is central to the plot. They are both flawed characters, and their motivations for their actions are complex. They share a mutual respect for each other, but also a fierce competitiveness. Gekko is the embodiment of the "Greed is good" principle, seemingly unstoppable in his pursuit of wealth and power. He is manipulating, calculating, and ruthless, and his influence on Bud becomes more dangerous as the film progresses. The acting performances of the lead actors, Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas, are top-notch. Sheen embodies the naive and ambitious Bud, capturing his initial innocence and his descent into the unethical practices of the industry. Douglas delivers a powerful and commanding performance as Gekko, creating one of the most iconic characters in film history. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in this film. "Wall Street" is a powerful and engaging drama that delves into the world of high finance and the pursuit of wealth. It tackles complex themes such as greed, ambition, corruption, and the moral implications of one's actions. The film is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, given the ongoing debates about income inequality and corporate responsibility. It is a must-see for anyone interested in business, economics, or social justice.