![Hammerlock [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BPFK480RL._AC_SR160,160_.jpg)
"Greed is good" - Gordon Gekko
Oliver Stone's white collar crime drama Wall Street (1987) is a poignant depiction of moral corruption. Stone attempts to critique the rampant greed of Wall Street stock brokers vying to unimaginable wealth, but his film ended up being an inspiration for stock brokers after Wall Street's release. I guess the message of doing what is right despite it not being profitable was lost on audiences, but Wall Street remains a thoughtful commentary of the super wealthy's vapid existence and moral vacancy. Filled with sexual hedonism, moral depravity, limitless greed, casual cocaine usage, and fraud against the working class, Wall Street perseveres as a moral compass gone awry for decades to come. Wall Street still feels relevant today.
Oliver Stone's direction is riveting going from stock deal to deal and sleazy encounter one after another. His script is strong filled with quotable lines that have permeated culture into slogans of wealth, greed, and confidence. Though not the intended purpose, Wall Street would spark a new life into the stocks game due to Stone's vivid depiction of the pleasures, grandeur, and opulence of their lifestyle. Stone's script gives plenty of critique for their lack of ethical practices and shows how evil and manipulative insider trading really can be. But Wall Street also provides the reasoning behind their greedy corruption and depicts a decent man falling into the same greed as Gekko. Both Oliver Stone's script and direction are impressive as is his scope of New York's stock scene.
Michael Douglas is immaculate as the sleazy con artist Gordon Gekko. This character is iconic, not just for Stone's lines, but for how convincingly Douglas speaks them to life. Douglas gives us the slicked back hair and tailored expensive designer suited look for ages of yuppies to come. While his own performance is astonishing, his subtle cues and hints at his character's motives throughout Wall Street are just as impressive. Douglas transforms himself into a fast talking salesman lacking morals. He is exquisite as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street.
Charlie Sheen is great as the eager, yet naive young stockbroker Bud Fox that just wants his own wealth. He downfall and redemption are fascinating as Sheen gives you his all. Martin Sheen plays up the stalwart father figure Carl Fox to his real life son Charlie Sheen. Martin represents the blue collar working man and a man of ideals. His guidance is key in Wall Street and clearly the proper way to life. If only more listened to Martin Sheen's words instead of Michael Douglas' after Wall Street.
Notably, Terence Stamp has a key cameo supporting role as an ethical investor named Sir Larry Wildman. His role is a neat representation of a broker with morals that could exist to make profit and help others simultaneously. He is the real role model alongside Martin Sheen's for they do what is right regardless of the consequences. Stamp creates such an unavoidable presence with his acting.
Daryl Hannah is pretty good as the shallow girlfriend Darien Taylor only doting on Charlie Sheen's character Bud for his wealth and appearance of ambition. She is the perfect vapid gold digger and a scathing critique of shallow empty women like her. Hannah may only appear to be eye candy for Stone to gaze at, but her character certainly feels like she portrays a woman used by Gekko and Bud for their own uses, while she gets something in return. She plays off Charlie Sheen very well and naturally. I think she gets a hard time for her role in Wall Street rather unfairly. Daryl's character is supposed to be easy to hate. She is not a decent woman, nor a role model.
Similarly, I liked Sean Young's fake Kate Gekko performance as well. John C. McGinley is funny as Marvin. Lastly, Hal Holbrook is wise and straight as Lou Manneheim. He gets some memorable scenes like Douglas and Sheen's wisdom passed down to Charlie.
Wall Street is simply a rush of avarice into your veins. The sleaze and greed of the 1980's is palpable and on purpose. Oliver Stone directed a classic film deserving of its iconic status in cinema. He captures the 1980's style and shapes it into something to critique anew.
| Additional DVD options | Edition | Discs | Price | New from | Used from |
|
DVD
November 7, 2000 "Please retry" | — | 1 | $3.27 | $1.49 |
|
DVD
September 7, 2010 "Please retry" | Special Edition | 2 | $4.95 | $2.68 |
Watch Instantly with 
| Rent | Buy |
Frequently bought together
- +
- +
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:07
Click to play video
Oliver Stone speaks about filming "Wall Street"
Merchant Video
Customer reviews
Classic!!!!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
L.W
A cautionary tale of corruption and greed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2016Mr. A. E. Hall
'Alright Mr Gekko, you got me'.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2007
Brendan Ray Cyrus
Back when Oliver Stone was making great movies
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2008Gerard O'Doherty
Feed me a stray cat
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2017
