Wall Street 1 and 2 are interesting films on greed, power, revenge. Oliver Stone is a director who likes to scratch the surface of politics and reveal what's really happening. In Wall Street 2 "chasing money" is an addiction. Gekko uses the verb "smell". Also interesting, the urge for "more". "What is your number?, asks the young Jake. "More", answers Bretton.
The film starts with Gekko geting out of prison. He writes a book based on his experience and becomes a celebrity who talks about the "next bubble". He explains this global disease that always ends up with the bail out of large financial institutions at the expense of taxpayers.
"Those summers saved my life": this line is very important in the film. The film is a Ridley Scott, A Good Year. How many of us don't feel the same, saved by some moments of our distant childhood? A special relationship, a grandmother, a grandfather... for Jack it was uncle Henry. Long conversations, laughter, empathy among the older and the very young. The best treasures are hidden in our hearts. So, the choice is clear: "life" over "money".
Greed for money. Greed for power. Greed paranoia. The Treasure of the Sierra Madreis a John Huston. The film shows how easily men lose sanity when they are obsessed with gold, money, power. It' s the same look of greed we see in the financial system and the political system. If we observe carefully when we listen to their speeches we identify certain facial expressions very similar to the faces of Bogart. :)
