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Wall Street Reviews

1987 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 7111 members

Oliver Stone opened fire on the greed decade of the 1980s with this morality tale set on Wall Street. The film stars Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox, an ambitious rookie stockbroker from a blue-collar background who is magnetised by Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a Mephistophelean superbroker who specialises in corporate takeovers. .. Read more

Starring Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, Daryl Hannah
Director Oliver Stone
Genres Drama

Buy From: £5.43

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  • Critics' reviews (5) of Wall Street

    View all
  • 4 stars out of 5

    Oliver Stone opted for a change of direction following the Oscar-winning success of his Vietnam War drama Platoon with this stylish morality tale about insider trading — a topical subject at the time. Charlie Sheen gives a believable performance as the gullible broker who's prepared to break the law in pursuit of riches, and he's matched by his father Martin (also playing his screen father) as the blue-collar union representative who takes a dim view of his son's wheeler-dealing. Stealing the show, however, is Oscar winner Michael Douglas, who is memorable as ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko. Unusually, Stone's trademark neurotic camera movements actually seem appropriate here as the film details the titanic struggle for good over greed.

    • Radio Times
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Almost documentary in its detailed account of financial skulduggery but slipping ultimately into sentimentality, the film is marked by a brilliant performance from Michael Douglas as the scheming megalomaniac Gordon Gekko.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • "...Douglas puts his character's ideas across with such seductive self-assurance that conservatives could easily ignore the irony..."

    • Entertainment Weekly
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Wall Street

    View all
  • 9 out of 10 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Tremendous achievement

    Oliver Stone breaks open the inside world of corporate America, to deliver a story that is truly unforgettable. Already a genuine classic, this film combines intelligent screenplay with art and charisma, to produce a remarkable piece of cinema. A stark look at corporate greed, illegal trading, and general outlook on our own human nature, convincing, sincere and totally without the usual Hollywood sweetners. A genuine masterpiece.

      • buganna from London
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Classic slice of the 80's

    Even though the 80's were about to become the 90's and the stockmarket crash was just around the corner, when Oliver Stone made Wall Street he put a small gem out there. It is so incandescently 80's that you squirm with every frame. OTT production design, dialogue quoting Sun Tzu, and the rug pulled from under an entire generation of yuppies... The film's final 5 minutes date it now, but the rest is perhaps more biting and fresh today than ever. And Michael Douglas has never been better.

      • Ken Thompson Marchesi from Oxford, England
  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Buy, sell, talk at you babe.

    This film shows the emotions behind the world of stock market trading, and the asset stripping financial moguls, people that supposedly have little or no conscience about their actions and are only motivated by greed. On this latter subject, the speech that Michael Douglas delivers in the film is extremely iconic as is the film itself. It brilliantly captures the mood of the 80's. Its a must see. I think that the ending could have been better but the film is still one of the best of the period. 'lunch is for wimps', 'greed is good' etc all the phrases that carried on into the 90's originated from this film.

      • SAM from hemel hempstead
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Wall Street

    View all
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    A Firm Favourite!

    I rented this film a few months ago not really knowing what to expect. It is now one of my favourite films ever (although I am an 80's sucker generally it must be admitted..)! In a complete fluke of occurances my boyfriend also enjoyed it - which really is saying something good since we NEVER agree on films. It is a bit cheesy in parts (hey its American and it has Daryl Hannah in it!) but is basically incredibly profound (in its own way) and greatly exciting drama. What really finally endeared it to me was the way it protrayed the excitement of Wall Street in the 80's (something I had never even thought about but after the film was compelled to research!) so much that you actually get sucked into the characters belief that money is all that matters - in the same retarded way they do. The film then manages to totally slaughter that ideal - but in a very subtle way - and, i thought, actually leave you a slightly more moral person after watching. It is also brilliantly acted, perfectly paced, wonderfully exciting and beautifully finished. To be honest after this I found all other Stone's a let down. Please watch!

      • Sidney from London, England
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Classic slice of the 80's

    Even though the 80's were about to become the 90's and the stockmarket crash was just around the corner, when Oliver Stone made Wall Street he put a small gem out there. It is so incandescently 80's that you squirm with every frame. OTT production design, dialogue quoting Sun Tzu, and the rug pulled from under an entire generation of yuppies... The film's final 5 minutes date it now, but the rest is perhaps more biting and fresh today than ever. And Michael Douglas has never been better.

      • Ken Thompson Marchesi from Oxford, England
  • 9 out of 10 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Tremendous achievement

    Oliver Stone breaks open the inside world of corporate America, to deliver a story that is truly unforgettable. Already a genuine classic, this film combines intelligent screenplay with art and charisma, to produce a remarkable piece of cinema. A stark look at corporate greed, illegal trading, and general outlook on our own human nature, convincing, sincere and totally without the usual Hollywood sweetners. A genuine masterpiece.

      • buganna from London
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Classic slice of the 80's

    Even though the 80's were about to become the 90's and the stockmarket crash was just around the corner, when Oliver Stone made Wall Street he put a small gem out there. It is so incandescently 80's that you squirm with every frame. OTT production design, dialogue quoting Sun Tzu, and the rug pulled from under an entire generation of yuppies... The film's final 5 minutes date it now, but the rest is perhaps more biting and fresh today than ever. And Michael Douglas has never been better.

      • Ken Thompson Marchesi from Oxford, England
  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Buy, sell, talk at you babe.

    This film shows the emotions behind the world of stock market trading, and the asset stripping financial moguls, people that supposedly have little or no conscience about their actions and are only motivated by greed. On this latter subject, the speech that Michael Douglas delivers in the film is extremely iconic as is the film itself. It brilliantly captures the mood of the 80's. Its a must see. I think that the ending could have been better but the film is still one of the best of the period. 'lunch is for wimps', 'greed is good' etc all the phrases that carried on into the 90's originated from this film.

      • SAM from hemel hempstead
  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    impressive

    Although its impact has grown considerably more muffled over the years (the film’s explicit depiction of corporate greed and extortion was revolutionary at the time), this nevertheless stands up as an excellent and thoroughly gripping morality tale.

    It may be predictable throughout, but the thing that really marks it out, its true selling point, is Michael Douglas, who gives a searing, electrifying and scarily believable portrayal of a power-crazy Wall Street businessman with one of the most inspired names in cinema: Gordon Gekko.

      • ATfilmcritic from London
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    A Firm Favourite!

    I rented this film a few months ago not really knowing what to expect. It is now one of my favourite films ever (although I am an 80's sucker generally it must be admitted..)! In a complete fluke of occurances my boyfriend also enjoyed it - which really is saying something good since we NEVER agree on films. It is a bit cheesy in parts (hey its American and it has Daryl Hannah in it!) but is basically incredibly profound (in its own way) and greatly exciting drama. What really finally endeared it to me was the way it protrayed the excitement of Wall Street in the 80's (something I had never even thought about but after the film was compelled to research!) so much that you actually get sucked into the characters belief that money is all that matters - in the same retarded way they do. The film then manages to totally slaughter that ideal - but in a very subtle way - and, i thought, actually leave you a slightly more moral person after watching. It is also brilliantly acted, perfectly paced, wonderfully exciting and beautifully finished. To be honest after this I found all other Stone's a let down. Please watch!

      • Sidney from London, England
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Greed is Good!

    I loved this film when I first saw it and thought Michael Douglas was a complete Bastid! Now I find myself watching it again and still think its great if a little dated. OK some films age well and otheres dont, this has done OK so far. Well worth a view.

      • A customer from Glasgow
  • Rated - 4 stars

    The world of yuppies

    This flim has dated well. Michael Douglas at his best. This film reminded of the world of yuppies made just before their bubble burst. God cast nice to see both Martin and Charlie together excellent story line enjoyed it as much as the first time i saw it,

      • A customer from Plymouth devon
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Still one to watch

    Great film that captures the true 1980's personal profit at all costs. This film see's anice twist great cast Michael Douglas at his best. Nice to see both charlie and Martin Sheen together. A film not to miss this film has not dated like most films from this period.

      • A customer from Plymouth Devon
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Worth Watching!

    Definitely a classic, with the Sheens' and Douglas giving an excellent performance!

  • Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Fairly enjoyable, yet too predictable

    Michael Douglas as a rich baddie, Charlie Sheen as a wannabee.

    Typical film of man wants to make big bucks, learns that the dark side can pay dividends, at least for a bit until you get caught, but what the hey you can always grass up your mentor and get your sentence reduced.

    Still, not a bad film.

    Look out for the eighties cellphones, not exactly pocket size, now I know why we call them bricks.

      • TonyC from dewsbury
  • Critics' reviews (5)

  • 4 stars out of 5

    Oliver Stone opted for a change of direction following the Oscar-winning success of his Vietnam War drama Platoon with this stylish morality tale about insider trading — a topical subject at the time. Charlie Sheen gives a believable performance as the gullible broker who's prepared to break the law in pursuit of riches, and he's matched by his father Martin (also playing his screen father) as the blue-collar union representative who takes a dim view of his son's wheeler-dealing. Stealing the show, however, is Oscar winner Michael Douglas, who is memorable as ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko. Unusually, Stone's trademark neurotic camera movements actually seem appropriate here as the film details the titanic struggle for good over greed.

    • Radio Times
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Almost documentary in its detailed account of financial skulduggery but slipping ultimately into sentimentality, the film is marked by a brilliant performance from Michael Douglas as the scheming megalomaniac Gordon Gekko.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • "...Douglas puts his character's ideas across with such seductive self-assurance that conservatives could easily ignore the irony..."

    • Entertainment Weekly
  • Remove the restless camera pyrotechnics and incomprehensible jargon, and you have a corny old melo: broker Charlie... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • "...[WALL STREET] is as good a contemporary story as there is today..."

    • Variety

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    • Oliver Stone opened fire on the greed decade of the 1980s with this morality tale set on Wall Street. The film stars Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox, an ambitious rookie stockbroker from a blue-collar ...

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    • Oliver Stone opened fire on the greed decade of the 1980s with this morality tale set on Wall Street. The film stars Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox, an ambitious rookie stockbroker from a blue-collar ...

Rating breakdown

7,111 Member ratings
  • 100
582
  • 90
607
  • 80
1,496
  • 70
1,460
  • 60
1,457
  • 50
737
  • 40
390
  • 30
215
  • 20
115
  • 10
52

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