Customer Reviews

Boiler Room

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(54)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I am a Stockbroker with 15 years of experience. I began my career working for a firm that was like the firm portrayed in the film in many respects. In fact, I have heard this film was based on a firm that ended up merging with the one I worked for.

The film provides a very accurate portrayal of a Small Cap firm from the late 80s to early 90s. For example, the recruitment process was perfect. You didn't need a resume, you didn't need an education and they didn't want people who already had licenses. They wanted raw recruits that didn't know anything and they made money on the testing process.

After you passed the test, you received no training, you got a list (any way you could) and cold called until you opened an account on what they told you to buy. If you didn't open accounts within a month you were out. In the film, they cut off Riblisi's tie as a right of passage. In my firm, the first time you did $1000 in commissions in a single day they cut off your tie.

Other things are realisitic as well; the fact that the firm has positions in the stocks that they sell and there is extra commission at certain moments, the Brokers all know every word of the movie- Wall Street, that they have big houses or apartments with no furniture, they drink and get into scrapes as a group, that all happened at my firm.

There are many more examples of parallels between the firm in the movie and the experiences of the main characters and my own real life experiences. This movie may seem outrageous or over the top to some, but, it is as accurate as a movie about this subject could be.

At first, I was a little apprehensive about "Boiler Room" thinking it was just gonna be "Wall Street: Part 2". I finally rented it on tape and loved it. One of this year's most underrated films, Boiler Room is a smart and energetic film with excellent performances from it's right cast. The film tells the story of Seth Davis, a decent college dropout earning a living by running a casino inside his house, much to the strong dismay of his frustrated judge father. In order to impress his dad, Seth takes on a job at a stock brokerage firm where he becomes a fast tracking stock broker and making good money. Only later does he find out that his job isn't what it's cracked up to be. The performances are strong, particularly from lead Ribisi and supporting characters Nicky Katt as a two faced co-worker, Ron Rifkin as his dad, and Scott Caan as a hotheaded co-worker. Vin Diesel does quite well as the good guy to Ribisi's Davis. The film definitely has the testosterone feel of a Generation X movie with The Angel's rap/classical score. There's even an homage to "Wall Street" that I don't want to spoil. If you're in the mood for a really good film, rent "Boiler Room". Look for the director Ben Younger in a cameo as a stock broker.

Some folks might rent or buy this DVD for its well known names, but Vin Disel and Ben Afflec play very small roles It is Giovanni Ribsi that shines. He plays a young college drop out, who turns to an in-house, illegal gambling den to help him release his inner rage and built up anxieties towards his demanding father.

(SPOILERS)
But it is his discovery of a Boiler Room operation hawking non-existent stocks and bonds for non-existent companies that really steers this movie.

Fantastic interactions between the main character, and Vin Disel character. I appreciated the relationship beteen Giovanni and the secretary character, but I felt it was under-developed and weak. Could have been left out, or developed better.

I saw this one in the theater, and now own on DVD, and would recommend it to any Pre-MBA student, or Wall Street wannabe. It is great training.

MC White said: Check it out!

You win no points comparing this to Glengarry Glen Ross(which is the subject of my thesis), as they make specific references to Mamet's play (produced 15 years ago, by the way) in the film. True, this may be the same type of story, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a story about con artists that David Mamet hasn't already written. This is new, younger, hipper, and, dare I say, funnier than it's predecessor. Vin Diesel is impressive and interesting and Giovanni Ribisi is endearing. The film is well written and the alternate ending is great. I'm not sure which ending I like better... I like them both for different reasons. I would not hesitate to call this an "art film" because it does read much like a piece of theatre.

This film seems to cover all of the bases-fast-paced action, peerless performances, and hysterical dialogue (but a warning, they are all saturated with the vernacular of stressed-out, potty-mouthed stock brokers). Although some reviews have said the script is convoluted and lacks direction, I entirely disagree. The script contains scenes that reveal the many dilemmas that plague Seth (Giovanni Ribisi) - his struggle to gain the approval of his inhibited father, a federal judge; his fight to live with himself; and his need for redemption. It is obvious that it is quite difficult to find films that are so tightly and expertly woven these days, but overlooked films like `The Boiler Room' confirm that there are still writers and directors out there who know how to do their job competently.

Ben Affleck has a memorable cameo as the guy who motivates the young brokers-to-be. Vin Diesel's role is small but he most definitely makes the most of all of his scenes. Nia Long plays Abby, whose role (if I must nitpick) I felt could have been developed a bit more and contained more connecting scenes with Seth. The kudos really goes to Giovanni Ribisi, who is proving that he is fast becoming one of Hollywood's hottest and most talented stars. Enigmatic in appearance and disquieting in demeanor, he takes command of every scene and delivers his lines with emotion and bite. I cannot think of another actor who could play the role of Seth as well as he did. His performance in the role of a young man struggling to come to terms with himself keeps you nailed to your seat for the entire duration of the film.

The rap music and slightly annoying cinematography chiefly in the beginning of the film can be easily forgotten once all the primary elements are established. Don't miss this film!

I bought this movie because I'm a big fan of Vin Diesel. I watched it one night and found it to be a very edgy and very entertaining drama. The plot was very well developed, the characters were very well developed, and the relationship of the main character Seth (Giovanni Ribisi) with the other main characters made for some great plots with-in the plot. All the character relationships are all good for different reasons. The relationship between Seth and his father (Ron Rifkin) had such great intensity. The alliance with Greg Weinstein (Nicky Katt) changed into an excellent battle of wills. The romance with Abby (Nia Long) proved to bring a very fuzzy element to the movie. And the alliance with Chris (Diesel) shows us that Seth has one friend he can count on. Excellent performances all-around, great plot, and a very hip musical score. Highly recommended for fans of stock market type movies and Vin Diesel movies. Boiler Room starts out smokin' and never cools off!

This movie surprise me.I liked how they use "Gecko"and it shows them watching Wall Street that was cool.The next best movie to Wall Street (Michael Douglas) in the stock market.
Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi) drops out of college and stumbles upon a job to be a stock broker to make all kinds of money, everything is going well, and he is doing great,but things seen to good to be true , as he finds out what he's got himself into.With actors such as Ribisi ,Vin Diesel,Nia Long , Scott Katt and Ben Affeck as (Jim Young) some what like Alex Badwin's part in Glengarry Glen Ross similar in arrogant roles.So set the sale and Enjoy!!!!

When I first saw Boiler Room in the theaters, I knew nothing about the fast-paced world which was enclosed behind the doors of our nation's brokerages. Even though I know a whole lot more about this aspect of business, that is not the main reason I LOVE this movie, the acting is superb (Vin Diesel is not as bad as everyone thinks he is in this movie), the plot original, and the soundtrack absolutely pulsating.

From the perspective of a student at a business college, this movie is highly entertaining, and if you ask anyone his is at all interested in business, you are likely to get the same response. Boiler Room does for me what Wall Street must have done for many in the 80's. This movie only helped my desire to become a stockbroker become more cemented.

A must-see for anyone who already owns Wall Street or Glengarry Glenross and by adding Boiler Room to those two movie, you end up with the holy trinity of business films.

The only downside to the film in Seth's relationship with his African-American secretary. The film tries too hard to examine race relations and other factors involved in dating a coworker. It should have just stuck with its examination of the lives of the young brokers, because that is what it does best!!!

Giovanni Ribisi is Seth Davis, a 19-year-old who's secretly running a backdoor casino while his parents think he's in college. Desperate for a quick buck, he joins JT Marlin, a brokerage firm that has the look, feel, and energy of a Morgan Stanley or Smith Barney. But underneath the gloss, this is a firm that engages in shady dealings, selling fake stocks and ripping off investors cold. Seth learns the ropes of the trade and over time becomes ruthless and cocky. He alienates his no-nonsense dad, who happens to be a judge and is, to say the least, disappointed that his son is blowing off college.

On the surface, this sounds like a re-telling of "Wall Street," but don't dismiss this film so easily. "Boiler Room" soars on the strength of performances of Nicky Katt, Scott Caan (son of James), Nia Long, and the then-unknown Vin Diesel. The film moves at a brisk pace and, for the most part, avoids melodrama and other formulaic touches. Definitely worth a look.

Seth Davis is a college drop-out with no direction. His father despises him for all of the goof-ups he's made in his life (not to mention he isn't a very happy camper when he finds out about Seth's illegal card game operation). Seth is willing to do just about anything to win back his father's approval and love. And that's when he's dragged into the business world and is recruited to a small stock brokerage firm. In very little time, he learns the ropes and is able to make sales without hesitation. The only problem is there's a good chance that the firm he's working for is much, MUCH more illegal than any small-time card operation. Seth's about to get a wake-up call from the business world, and it's not going to be a pretty sight.

Having a very big "Wall Street" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" feel and influence to it, "Boiler Room" is an exciting and chilling look into the "survival of the fittest" rule when it comes to business. It still is successful at being its own movie. There's a great story behind it all that is very believable and very convincing. You don't have to know the business lingo to understand what takes place in the film. While it's a complex story and plot, it's still clear to us exactly what's going on and what's happening.

The film has some really good acting in it. Giovanni Ribisi is perfect when it comes to playing Seth (he has a very childish and innocent look to him, which makes it easier for us to sympathize with him). Vin Diesel is pretty good in the movie as well. Nia Long is great as Seth's love interest and never misses a beat. Everybody else in the movie is great as well. The film has great direction and a solid story to back it up.

The DVD has some pretty neat features. The picture and sound quality is terrific. Special features included are deleted scenes/alternate ending, commentary, isolated score with composer commentary, the original theatrical trailer, and some neat DVD-ROM features to add to the mix.

"Boiler Room" is a great movie about the ruthless business world. Even though this is fiction, this is something you can see happening anywhere. If you like "Wall Street" or "Glengarry Glen Ross," then I highly recommend this movie. A movie that succeeds on every front.