7.4/10
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Wall Street (1987)

A young and impatient stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless and greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing.

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Carolyn
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Dan
Chuck Pfeiffer ...
Chuckie (as Chuck Pfeifer)
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...
...
Leslie Lyles ...
Natalie
...
Faith Geer ...
Natalie's Assistant
Frank Adonis ...
Charlie
...
Dominick
...
...
Girl in Bed
Dani Klein ...
Receptionist
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Storyline

On the Wall Street of the 1980s, Bud Fox is a stockbroker full of ambition, doing whatever he can to make his way to the top. Admiring the power of the unsparing corporate raider Gordon Gekko, Fox entices Gekko into mentoring him by providing insider trading. As Fox becomes embroiled in greed and underhanded schemes, his decisions eventually threaten the livelihood of his scrupulous father. Faced with this dilemma, Fox questions his loyalties. Written by Jwelch5742

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Every dream has a price.

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 December 1987 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Wall Street  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,104,611, 13 December 1987, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$43,848,100
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's line "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good." was voted as the #57 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100). See more »

Goofs

After Bud's initial meeting in Gekko's office, when Gekko asks, "You got a card?", the camera crew is reflected in the door behind Bud. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Businesswoman #1: [a crowd of businessmen stampede into an elevator] Excuse me.
Businessman #1: Easy!
Businesswoman #2: Excuse me!
Businessman #2: Thank you.
Businesswomen #3: Sorry!
Businessman #3: Easy!
Businessman #4: Easy!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The To Do List (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

Desafinado
Original Text by Newton Mendonca
Music by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Performed by Stan Getz
Courtesy of PolyGram Special Products, A division of PolyGram Records, Inc.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Wealth at the price of humanity, or humanity at the price of wealth?
3 September 2001 | by See all my reviews

Wall Street is about those for whom material wealth takes precedence over morality, and those for whom it does not. Moreover, it is the story of one who is struggling to decide which of the two he is: greedy or ethical.

Bud Fox is a young stock broker who only wishes to excel in life. His father, Carl, provides a strong moral foundation, prioritizing human life and well being over profit. Bud's mentor, Gordon Gekko, is a ruthless and legendary Wall Street player whose values couldn't conflict with those of Bud's father more perfectly. So caught in the middle is Bud, who pitches his father's airline to Gekko with the intentions of saving the company while everyone gets rich in the process. This business deal sets the stage for the conflict of interests Bud faces, and whether in the end it is his moral father or his greedy mentor he would most like to become.

Wall Street is impeccably directed and perfectly cast. Oliver Stone really captures all the elements necessary to the telling of this story, with all its moral, economic, and legal implications. Michael Douglas is almost frightening as the ghastly Gordon Gekko, a role for which he took home the Oscar for best actor. And the casting of Martin and Charlie Sheen as father and son lends authenticity to their numerous emotional exchanges. We see what seem to be genuine hurt, pride, and shame from the two of them together. John C. McGinley makes his customary appearance in yet another of Stone's movies as Bud's coworker, and as always he shines, contributing his unique personality to the film. The combined efforts of talented individuals in a powerful story of human strength and weakness makes Wall Street a must see movie.

I rate it 10/10.


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