The other evening, I found myself at an exclusive screening of the highly anticipated movie, Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. This wasn’t your typical Hollywood premiere; it was a gathering of around a hundred of Boston’s financial elite – the brightest minds in finance, investments, and banking. Imagine an open bar flowing freely and a concession stand stocked with endless treats. Yes, you heard right – all the Sour Patch Kids and Pinot Grigio one could desire. Welcome to the high life, indeed.
Wall Street 2 revisits the world first introduced in the iconic Wall Street, a film that etched Gordon Gekko (played masterfully by Michael Douglas) into cinematic history. Gekko, the suspender-clad corporate raider, became the embodiment of 1980s Wall Street excess and ambition. The sequel begins in 2001, with Gekko’s release from prison after nearly a decade for insider trading. A poignant scene shows Gekko, in a slightly disheveled suit and holding an outdated cell phone, finding no one to greet him. Surrounded by other released inmates reuniting with their families, the moment subtly asks, “Is greed truly good if it leaves you alone?”.
The narrative jumps forward seven years, introducing us to Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf), a young and ambitious trader, and his girlfriend (Carey Mulligan) in his lavish Manhattan loft. While movies often amplify glamour, the sheer opulence of Jake’s apartment felt implausible for a junior trader. During my own time as a junior banker in New York City, my reality was a cramped 900-square-foot apartment shared with two roommates, my “room” being a living room partitioned by a temporary wall. For those unfamiliar with NYC living, these makeshift walls are surprisingly common and functional. Jake’s character might have resonated more realistically in a more modest, relatable living space.
Without divulging too many spoilers, the subsequent two hours of Wall Street 2 unfold against the backdrop of the 2008 economic crisis. As one astute review in the NY Observer pointed out, this film might primarily appeal to hedge fund managers. The dense financial jargon – CDOs, ABSs, bids, and spreads – could easily alienate viewers unfamiliar with finance. My friend, a medical student I brought to the screening, confessed to tuning out the dialogue, opting instead to appreciate the cast’s stylish wardrobe and, of course, the popcorn.
The final act of Wall Street 2 felt particularly drawn out and unengaging. Judging by the palpable restlessness in the theater – the subtle fidgeting and murmurs – it seemed the audience shared this sentiment. As the credits finally rolled, a collective sense of relief washed over the room, punctuated by the sounds of clinking glasses as people exited, likely amplified by the generous open bar. Ultimately, Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps proves to be a lackluster follow-up. Perhaps the original Wall Street set an impossibly high bar. One can only hope that director Oliver Stone considers this the final chapter, allowing the original to retain its classic, untarnished status.
[Photos: 20th Century Fox]
