In 1987, a film unleased a cultural phenomenon, one that reflected the excess ideology of the 1980s far better than any other film had previously, summing it all up in one of cinemas most memorable lines - “Greed, for a lack of a better word, is good”.
These words are spoken by the ruthless Gordon Gekko, a role made iconic by the great Michael Douglas in Oliver Stone’s classic Wall Street, which is considered not only a career highpoint, but a role that would garner him a Best Actor Oscar win. The film followed young salesman Bud Fox (played by Charlie Sheen, back when his career promised a host of dramatic promise, then he did Hot Shots, and the rest is history) who is taken under the wing of Gordon Gekko, powerful, ruthless businessman who brings him into the cuthroat world of Wall Street, where mercy is truly for the weak, and rules are crushed by pure, raw greed all in the background of the 1980s society.
Now, the film itself was a good movie, and one really wouldn’t suspect there would be anything else left to be said. Yet the film resonated with audiences, and continued to live on in pop culture and businessmen alike. And so, out of the blue really, a sequel grew in fantastic speed, bringing Wall Street into the 21st Century and consider - Is greed still good?
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps continues the story of this economic world, with Gordon Gecko (again Michael Douglas) being released from jail in 2001 after eight long years. Hes older, wearier, poorer and most importantly, forgotten. Much has changed in the world since Gekko was put away: the millenium happened, the technology boom, 9/11, the whole game has changed, so Gekko is very much an antique from a period now gone. Seven years later we meet Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf), another young player on Wall Street, who happens to be the boyfriend of Gekkos estranged daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan). It is at this point in time the economic crisis is looming, and Jake, in order to save the company he works for and his company dreams, seeks out Gekko for help, now living off a book and tours that discourage his original ways of working. The two work together to start new enterprises and Jake helps Gekko to reconcile with his estranged daughter also attempt to exact vengence on the man who not only caused the suicide of Moore’s mentor, but also put Gekko away in prison, Bretton James (Josh Brolin).
But under all this, is the question of whether Gekko will revert to his old, devious ways.
Again, the original Wall Street was not a film that needed a sequel, yet here, only due to the manner it is handled, the ideas it brings, the new economic era does the sequel seem worth doing. And it is an interesting idea, essentially taking a top dog of 1980s business, take him out of action, and throw him back into a completely changed contemporary society. Therefore it makes for interesting storytelling.
And unlike most ultra-delayed, and most often unnecessary sequels to iconic films, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is not bad at all.
Directing legend Oliver Stone, who directed such great films as Platoon, JFK, Natural Born Killers, Any Given Sunday and of course, the original Wall Street returns to direct his first ever sequel, and a good one at that, one which looks especially good considering his shocking past decade in film, directing the awful Alexander and the lacklustre World Trade Center and W.
He directs the film with a great slickness, and tries not to emulate the style of the first film too much. Where the first film felt shot with the intention of bringing the audience into the reality of Wall Street, lots of long handheld shots, the sequel relies less on this approach moving more to his more crazier late 90s works with crisp camerawork, kinetic, stylistic editing (possible overuse of splitscreens) and a barrage of symbolism, which is almost overdone, be it the use of bubbles, the dominos, the Goya painting, the repeat playing of particular songs. It ALMOST becomes way too much, but its mostly good.
While the film differs, it still does lovingly pay homage to its predessessor, from returning to locations from the first, seeing old faces and, of course, providing a soundtrack full of David Byrne and Brian Eno greatness, in fact here there is a saturation of the Byrne and Eno combo, which is only a good thing, as theyre music gods. However in terms of score, Craig Armstrong gives a more delicate touch here than ex-Police bandmember Stewart Copeland’s from the 1987 original, one that seemed more powerful, tense and creative. Armstrongs score for the sequel is run-of-the-mill in comparance.
The plotting and script of the film is rather heavy in the world of Wall Street lingo like in the first, and like most people who aren’t interested in numbers or stock markets, will be lost. But at the same time, somehow, even if you don’t understand what they are plotting in the sense of Wall Street, one can understand the intent, or what whatever action they are doing will in turn do, or effect. This is why i found myself enjoying the original film, because i didn’t understand half the things they did, but the script allowed enough information to uncover what it will accomplish without just explaining it, making it a rewarding experience. So like the first film, the sequel has the same effect, obviously helped being scripted by a certified stock broker Allan Loeb.
Funnily enough, there seems to be less Wall Street business than the first, and more focus on character development, which, as crazy as it seems, excited and disappointed me. This is possibly due to the Wall Street business scenes always being so kinetic and intense. But aside from this, theres still enough to satisfy, and we do learn more about these characters, which is a good thing.
The only thing that makes this film inferior to the original in the script is the way the first film seemed so tight, whereas Money Never Sleeps seems looser, and more plot points seem to expand and drag.
Like the first film, the film boasts a strong and eclectic cast - In major roles, Shia LaBeouf in another delayed sequel to an iconic film as Jake Moore holds his own as the focal point as well as Charlie Sheen managed in 1987. I believe once his youthful superstar idol stamp dies down and continues solid acting, i think he will be a serious contender for awards. Hes more mature than most young people in Hollywood and acts like a professional, and he works here.
Carey Mulligan, one of the current sensations, due to her Oscar Nominated breakout in An Education, is powerful support as Winnie, perfectly mastering the accent and shows shes a great up and coming actress. He too holds her own, particularly affecting with her scenes with Douglas. She more than repents the dull, wooden, Razzie Award Winning performance of Daryl Hannah in the first film.
Josh Brolin is excellent, filling a the role of nemesis in the piece as Bretton James, which very much is a modern version of the young Gekko, ruthless and full of greed. He again proves he is a great presence onscreen.
Also in minor roles, Frank Langella impresses as Jakes’ weary mentor Louis Zabel, Susan Sarandon is heavily underused but nicely chews enough scenery in her couple of scenes as Jakes real estate mother, and Eli Wallach, at approaching 95 years old, is just amazing to see purely for his age and still acting, amazing (and his whistle is strange and funny). And of course Charlie Sheen reprises his Bud Fox character in a small cameo as well as Oliver Stone himself again cameoing.
And then we have Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko. It must have been somewhat pressuresome to followup an Oscar Winning performance from so long ago, an iconic one of that. The role could have easily become parody, giving the audience what they “want”, but luckily he again shines as Gekko, immediately magnetic in each scene he is in. Whilst in the first we knew he was an awful person, here we question “can the tiger change his stripes?” and its not totally obvious.
Gekko is not as intense as he is in the first film, which detracts, but rightly so, because Gekko is older, he’s been caught, hes lost most of his family, hes in a different world. So Gekko is quieter here, and more emotive as we delve more into his family life, something glossed over in the first film, which can be both good and bad, it gives Gekko a humanness, which is logical, but not the iconic character. I think its smart how they handled him, and its nice to see Douglas back in the spotlight, like Stone had a pretty substandard past decade save for Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic. It’s also kind of effecting to see Douglas speak about the economic crisis like fighting cancer, a battle he is now with odds with.
I believe that not only address the contemporary economic climate, that Stone wanted to clarify an idea that seems lost in translation from the first film. I mean, Gordon Gekko is an awful person in the first film, yet inspired so very many people to become stock brokers, businessmen etc. And the original film in the end, hardly glorified his lifestyle, in fact warned people. But in the end, it was all about “Greed is Good”. So here, in the sequel, somewhat backtracks, and attempts to show that being Gordon Gekko isn’t always the way. And by the resolution, i think thats realised by everyone in the film, which is an important message i believe.
In the end, the film is not as iconic as the first, and maybe slightly long. But its by no means bad, but rather the contrary, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a good film with plenty to like, be it stylistically or through the whole casts strong performances. If you liked the original 1987 film, you will like this, and believe its a worthy sequel. If you havent, still much to enjoy. Lets hope we see more quality from Stone and Douglas in the future!
3.5/5
