Wall Street Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wide-eyed young guy gets a job offer from a lizard person, and it ends predictably.

🍿 Wall Street: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Bud Fox’s Ambition

Bud Fox, a young and ambitious stockbroker in 1985 New York, dreams of making it big on Wall Street. He works tirelessly, cold-calling potential clients, but struggles to break through. Bud idolizes Gordon Gekko, a wealthy and ruthless corporate raider known for his success and disregard for ethical boundaries. He sees Gekko as the key to achieving his own aspirations of wealth and power.

The Rise of a Protégé

Bud manages to gain Gekko’s attention by providing insider information about Bluestar Airlines, gleaned from his father, Carl, who works there. Gekko, impressed by Bud’s willingness to cross ethical lines, takes him under his wing. Bud quickly learns the ways of Wall Street, engaging in insider trading and corporate espionage to generate profits for Gekko and himself. He enjoys the perks of his newfound wealth, including a luxurious apartment and a relationship with the trophy girlfriend, Darien.

The Fall from Grace

As Bud becomes more deeply involved in Gekko’s schemes, he faces a moral dilemma. He discovers that Gekko plans to dismantle Bluestar Airlines for profit, jeopardizing the jobs of his father and many other employees. Torn between his loyalty to Gekko and his love for his father, Bud decides to betray his mentor. He devises a plan to sabotage Gekko’s scheme, ultimately saving Bluestar but facing the consequences of his own illegal activities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen): An ambitious young stockbroker who gets caught up in the world of insider trading and corporate raiding.
• Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas): A ruthless and wealthy corporate raider who mentors Bud and embodies the ‘greed is good’ mentality.
• Carl Fox (Martin Sheen): Bud’s principled father, a union leader and mechanic, who represents a contrasting moral compass to the Wall Street excess.
• Darien Taylor (Daryl Hannah): A trophy girlfriend and interior decorator who embodies the materialistic lifestyle that Bud aspires to.
• Lou Mannheim (Hal Holbrook): An experienced and ethical broker who serves as a voice of reason and provides moral guidance to Bud.
• Sir Lawrence Wildman (Terence Stamp): A British corporate raider and rival of Gordon Gekko.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gordon Gekko: “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” – Gekko’s infamous line encapsulates the materialistic ethos of the 1980s and his amoral approach to business.
• Gordon Gekko: “Lunch is for wimps.” – Gekko dismisses taking a break for lunch, highlighting his relentless focus on making money.
• Gordon Gekko: “The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed — for lack of a better word — is good. Greed is right, greed works.” – From Gekko’s speech to Teldar Paper shareholders, this reinforces his belief in the power and necessity of greed.
• Carl Fox: “Man looks in the abyss, there’s nothing staring back at him. At that moment man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.” – Carl’s warning to Bud reflects his moral compass and concern for his son’s choices.
• Gordon Gekko: “If you need a friend, get a dog.” – A cynical expression of Gekko’s ruthless and self-serving perspective on relationships in the business world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $43,848,069
• Worldwide Gross: $43,848,069

💥 Wall Street Reviews

Personal Review

Wall Street hit me hard when I first saw it. I remember being so drawn into Bud Fox’s ambition and the allure of Gekko’s power. The ‘Greed is good’ speech is iconic, and Douglas’ performance is just unforgettable. The moment when Bud realizes the depth of Gekko’s betrayal is heart-wrenching. Despite a couple cheesy moments, this movie will stay with me forever!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of financial dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in 1980s culture”
  • “Those who appreciate strong performances, especially by Michael Douglas”
  • “People interested in cautionary tales about ambition and greed”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Themes of corporate corruption”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Michael Douglas’s Gordon Gekko is a mesmerizing force. Wall Street is a sharp commentary on 80s excess, even if it occasionally veers into melodrama. The film’s lasting impact is undeniable.
• The New York Times: “Oliver Stone captures the frenetic energy of Wall Street with a gritty realism. While the plot can be predictable, Douglas’s charismatic performance elevates the film, leaving a lasting impression.
• Variety: “A compelling look at the seductive allure of greed, with Michael Douglas delivering a career-defining performance. However, the film can feel heavy-handed at times. Charlie Sheen is just ok.

Audience Reactions

The performances, especially Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, were phenomenal.: Viewers consistently praise Michael Douglas’s performance and the film’s portrayal of Wall Street culture.

The movie really captured the excessive culture of the 1980s.: The detailed depiction of the 80s era resonated with many viewers, making it a defining film of the decade.

Overall Consensus: Wall Street is a compelling film with memorable performances. The main take-away is a great and enduring movie experience, though some find it heavy-handed.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actor)- 1988
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama)- 1988

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Oliver Stone’s father was a stockbroker, which provided him with firsthand knowledge of the world he depicted in the film.”
• “Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko.”
• “The film’s depiction of Wall Street culture and the ‘greed is good’ mentality became iconic and influenced subsequent films and television shows.”
• “Many people took Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko as a role model after the release of this film, which was the opposite of what Stone intended to happen.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wall Street?

Wall Street is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services. Consider purchasing the film to support the creators and enjoy it without subscription constraints.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wall Street, you might like these similar films:

• Boiler Room (2000): A modern take on the high-pressure world of stock brokerage and the ethical compromises made in the pursuit of wealth.
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Another depiction of excess, greed, and unethical behavior in the financial world, focusing on a stockbroker’s rise and fall.
• Margin Call (2011): A more recent film that explores the moral dilemmas and high-stakes decisions made during the 2008 financial crisis.
• American Psycho (2000): While a horror film, it shares themes of 80s excess, materialism, and the dark side of ambition within the Wall Street environment.
• Rogue Trader (1999): Based on the true story of Nick Leeson and the collapse of Barings Bank due to unauthorized speculative trading.

🛒 Wall Street Related Products

• Wall Street (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: Limited edition Blu-ray with bonus features, including interviews with the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, and deleted scenes. A must-have for any Wall Street fan, offering a deeper look into the making of the film.
• Gordon Gekko: The Quotable Wisdom of Wall Street’s Most Notorious Rogue: A compilation of Gordon Gekko’s most memorable quotes and insights from the film. This book delves into the mind of the iconic character, exploring his philosophy on money, power, and success.
• Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps [Movie Download]: Download the sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and experience the story’s continuation. Gekko is released from prison and re-enters a different financial world, looking to rebuild his empire.
• Wall Street Movie Poster: Theatrical release poster of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Wall Street features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” – performed by Talking Heads
• “Don’t Get Me Wrong” – performed by The Pretenders
• “Fly Me to the Moon” – performed by Frank Sinatra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Michael Douglas Doesn’t Get Why Fans See Gordon Gekko as a Hero

Curious about the actor’s perspective on the iconic character? Check out this interview with Michael Douglas, where he shares his thoughts on Gordon Gekko’s legacy.

Analyzing Evil: Gordon Gekko From Wall Street

Dive into the mind of one of cinema’s most iconic villains! This comprehensive analysis delves into the psyche of Gordon Gekko, exploring his motivations, actions, and the impact he had on the world.

When Robert Downey jr. visited Wall Street in 1992 and got horrified

Step back in time to the era of ‘Wall Street’! This fascinating footage captures Robert Downey Jr.’s visit to the real Wall Street in 1992, revealing the bustling atmosphere and intense energy that shaped the film’s backdrop.

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