WALL STREET MONEY NEVER SLEEPS (REVIEW)
RATED
M, 133 Mins
Michael Douglas, Shia Labeouf, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, Laura
Dawn, Susan Sarandon, Frank Langella
It seems greed is
still good, although recent global economic dilemmas are an appropriate backdrop
to this belated sequel to Oliver Stone's brilliant 1987 film, 'Wall Street'.
The
great Michael Douglas returns in his Oscar winning role of hard edged banker Gordon
Gekko. 'Lunch is for wimps!' and 'money never sleeps' were only two of his many
catchcry's. Upon being released from prison, it looks like Gekko is about to scheme
his way back to the top again. Turning back time to his heyday could be difficult
however as things in the outside world have changed considerably, including the
obsolete 'brick' mobile phone returned amongst his possessions.
Young
gun Jacob Moore (Shia LaBeouf) is a Wall Street trader with a will to succeed.
However he loses both his job and long-time mentor in the same afternoon. All
Jacob wants to do is provide for his lovely, quietly achieving fiancée
Winnie and make it big on the corporate ladder. Winnie also happens to be Gekko's
estranged daughter. Jacob takes it upon himself to covertly introduce himself
to his future father in law before he realises the connection, it's really just
a segue, as another financial tactic is about to begin.
A mortgage
dilemma brews and the bubble bursts on the stock market which vindicates the high
achieving firm, Churchill-Schwartz. Led by evil money maker CEO Bretton James
(Josh Brolin, is a role of a lifetime), he is happy to befriend Jacob as just
another player, but with the alliance of Gekko, this company is to trade down.
The link is that Bretton may have had a hand in putting Gordon away all those
years ago, so revenge is in order. Deceit also rears towards the innocent proving
there's few friends in business.
With more spikes than a tumbling
stock hedge fund, the drama builds to a magnetic and character driven finale of
the highest order. Solid performances are mandatory in any directed Oliver Stone
film, think 'Natural Born Killers', 'JFK' and 'Any Given Sunday', just to name
a few. The focus on hand is Michael Douglas in control of his iconic character.
Not missing a beat, whether it's at a boring book signing or pointing fingers
at money men, the performance only falls short of perfection due to limited screen
time. The story evolves around him and things progress when ever he is on screen.
Shia
LaBeouf holds strong support as a lesser version of the Charlie Sheen character
in the original - who incidentally makes a surprise appearance (one very sharp
scene) catching up with his disgraced mentor. Elder thespians Susan Sarandon and
Frank Langella have what it takes to secure a moment, but the former 'Goonies'
adventurer, Josh Brolin is smarmy to the point of digression, a shameless stock
market villain.
Did we need a sequel? No. Is it worthy? Yes.
Even if you have not seen the great 1987 original, it is not too hard to follow
what is happening. Mixed emotions will stay with the viewer, but not before an
extremely entertaining film unfolds.
Shane A. Bassett
