"The film should trigger a flurry of buying activity for theatre tickets as filmgoers have a grand old time. Every bit as glam, entertaining, punchy and timely as the original."
Doris Toumarkine FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
"Has the drive, luxe and sarcastic wit of the snazziest Hollywood movies."
Richard Corliss TIME MAGAZINE
"Oliver Stone has a penchant for tracking the winds of popular American sentiment. Stone is to be commended for showing the high-stakes world of Wall Street without glamorizing it."
Katelyn Beaty CHRISTIANITY TODAY
"A nice return to form by one of our best socially-minded filmmakers."
Drew McWeeny HITFIX
"Greed may be good, but Douglas is better."
Scott Bowles USA TODAY
"The dialogue from Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff is biting and propulsive, and the hugely esteemed ensemble cast is a kick. The rare sequel that feels not only relevant but necessary."
Christy Lemire ASSOCIATED PRESS
"The movie unfolds in flashback fashion, with narrator Gekko reflecting upon his parole in 2002 after serving an eight-year sentence for insider trading. This amusing sequence effectively establishes how the disgraced, white collar criminal had not merely fallen from grace but no longer had a finger on the pulse. Crime might not pay, but greed is still good! Stone and Douglas reunite for Shakespearean sequel well worth the wait."
Kam Williams NEWSBLAZE
"Stone himself seems reinvigorated by a timely concept and a strong cast. Historically, his best work has been built from a foundation of truth that comments on society and he clearly sees that in this project. Working with the great cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, Stone and his team have crafted a film with copious personality. A great vehicle for Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin and Michael Douglas."
Brian Tallerico HOLLYWOOD CHICAGO
"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps feels like a genuine continuation of the original story, rather than the parodic spoof some might assume. It is also one of the best directed films of the year."
BRANDON FIBBS
"Oliver Stone bathes his boardrooms in the glossy sheen of deceit. Strong performances by Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf make this fun."
Clint O'Connor CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
"An enlivening and rather wickedly entertaining take on the occasional angels: but mostly demons; that ran the country into financial ruin."
Kimberly Jones AUSTIN CHRONICLE
"Michael Douglas is tremendously-serpentine; Oliver Stone's direction is energetic and acute; and this sequel to their 1987 Oscar-winning original purrs with snark and style."
Kevin Williams JAM! MOVIES
"Stone thrives in this milieu, and he's playfully in control of his camera, swooping through the canyons of Manhattan to jauntily ironic tunes by David Byrne. Stone, like Jake, keeps his eye on the real prize of payback. It's a wholly successful sequel: audacious, entertaining and bracingly pertinent."
Joe Williams ST LOUIS-POST-DISPATCH
The Inside Story Of Wall Street 2
In 1987, the Oliver Stone film "Platoon", picked up four Oscars ®: Best Director, Best Editing, Best Picture and Best Sound. A searing story about the Vietnam War, Stone chose as his next project, a story about a different battlefield: American business. Released in 1987, "Wall Street" was the story of Bud Fox, a young stockbroker played by Charlie Sheen, who, in his drive to succeed in the world of finance, becomes corrupted by a powerful and brilliant corporate raider, Gordon Gekko, played by the insightful producer of the 1975 film. "One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest" (winner of five Oscars ®: Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.), Oscar ® winner Michael Douglas. "In making "Wall Street", I really wanted to see the war at home, so to speak, the war in the financial jungle of New York, which is my hometown," Stone ("Natural Born Killers") says. In fact, Stone’s father Louis Stone was a successful stockbroker in New York, so the filmmaker was already well acquainted with the Street when he directed the film. Given Douglas's iconic link to the character that Stone created with Stanley Weiser, his co-screenwriter on "Wall Street", it may come as a surprise that Douglas's casting as Gekko was unexpected. "Michael had never done a Gekko-type role at that time. He had played mostly romantic or comedic leads, and in "Wall Street" he was interpreting a character that was frankly, downright nasty, " 1993 Blue Ribbon Award winner Stone ("JFK) explained. In "Wall Street" Gekko gives a speech at a stockholder's meeting in which he extols greed as a positive force in American capitalism. "Greed: for lack of a better word; is good," Gekko proclaimed. "Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms: greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge; has marked the upward surge of mankind." The speech is one of the memorable in film history and to this day, "Greed is good" remains an oft-quoted line in the media’s incessant coverage of the current financial crisis. Douglas’s outstanding performance as Gordon Gekko would reward him with the 1998 Academy Award ® for Best Actor, while the character of Gekko has endured and become part of American culture and one of the cinema's greatest villains. "Gordon Gekko, through innumerable references in newspapers and magazine articles, has become an iconic character," says Edward Pressman, who produced "Wall Street", one of several films he would make with Oliver Stone. He notes the film "created the idea of the culture of that financial capital, so it actually affected the people who work there to behave and dress in a certain way." Indeed, Gekko’s charisma and 'take no prisoners' approach to deal-making and wealth accumulation unexpectedly made him a hero to many. Not only did young men on Wall Street adopt Gekko’s trademark slicked-back hair and suspenders, but they took his famous 'Greed is good' mantra to heart. "The film’s popularity grew over the years," says Stone, who was initially surprised by the way audiences embraced Gekko. "I made 'Wall Street' as a morality tale, and I think it was misunderstood by many. It’s still amazing the number of people who came up to me over the years and said, 'I took on a career on Wall Street because of your movie.' Many of them are now in their thirties, fourties and were doing quite well on the Street; as honest traders, I should add." But even he couldn’t envision the events that would make the Gordon Gekkos of the world look like small-timers, ultimately leading to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
As these real-life Wall Street developments unfolded, work began on a story and screenplay that would catch up with Gekko years after the events of "Wall Street". Stone was not involved in the film’s development at that point, and it wasn’t until early 2009, when he read screenwriter Allan Loeb’s script for "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" that he considered tackling a new film about the characters and world he had brought to life with "Wall Street". Allan Loeb, a licensed broker/dealer, and self-proclaimed 'finance junkie', had been hired by Pressman to write on "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" in late 2008 (after screenwriter and award winning critic Stephen Schiff had contributed several drafts), and thus did most of his research during the height of that year’s economic meltdown. "I was meeting with big, big names of finance at the height of the crash," Loeb ("21") remembers. "A lot of these Wall Street guys were going through spiritual moments, so it was interesting to talk to them then." For his research, Loeb met with executives at hedge funds and major banks, and spent a lot of time with a former trader at one of the nation’s largest firms. But what unnerved Loeb most was the prospect of pitching the story to Gordon Gekko himself: Michael Douglas. Douglas had expressed interest in reprising his award wining role as Gekko, but only with the right story. "Allan Loeb had experience in finance, and he took an approach which encapsulated the last year of Wall Street and the world economy," says producer Ed Pressman."It was on the basis of that script that Oliver returned to the project because when he read Allan’s draft he saw how relevant and exciting the film could be." "The crash happened in 2008 and that made it suddenly very interesting, because you saw all the flaws in the system," Stone explained, adding the film "is really a reckoning with what happened." 2009 American Film Institute Life Achievement Award recipient Douglas notes, "This is an even more interesting time to explore this world, than the period of the original." Eric Kopeloff ("W" & "Stranger Than Fiction"), came onboard as one of the films three producers once Stone committed to the project. Kopeloff pointed out, "If there was any time to reprise this, a story of Wall Street, now would be the time." The script Loeb ("The Switch") and Schiff ("Lolita") presented not only illustrates what happened to the American economy in late 2008, but also tells a compelling dramatic story, in which Gekko is a changed man after years in prison and an even longer stint as an outsider on Wall Street. Impressed with the script, Douglas signed on. Released from prison, Gekko is determined to reestablish his position as a Wall Street power broker. But he’s looking for more than re-accumulating vast sums of money; "Gekko wants to be acknowledged," Douglas explained. "It’s one of the reasons he’s written a book." Gekko is equally resolute to win back the love of his daughter Winnie; to put together the family that he himself was responsible for tearing apart. The dichotomy of Gekko’s ambitions versus his commitment to reconnecting with his daughter provides some of the film’s most dramatic and emotional moments. To do that he needs to join forces with his daughters fiance, Jake. To play the role of Jake, Oliver Stone cast Shia LaBeouf ("Transformers" & "Disturbia"). "He reminds me of a young Tom Cruise," Stone said. "The same drive, work ethic, and energy." LaBeouf was drawn to the role of Jake for several reasons, including his admiration for Stone’s body of work and because of "Wall Street". "I’m here because of it. As a movie fan, you learn a lot watching Oliver’s movies. You get a lot of facts as well as entertainment."
Starring in an Oliver Stone film was a definite change of pace for the young actor. "I’ve been making fantasy films for a while. I wanted something with teeth, and Oliver Stone makes movies with teeth." LaBeouf then dove into researching his role with zeal. After what amounted to an intensive course in finance at various investment and trading houses, LaBeouf made a modest investment grow exponentially. He also passed his Series 7 test, becoming a licensed broker-dealer. "Shia had this unbelievable drive, wanting to learn as much as he could about this world," say Kopeloff. "And that really impressed Oliver." Stone cast Josh Brolin (who once worked as day trader) in the role of Bretton James, a partner at the powerful investment bank Churchill Schwartz. Stone describes James as "the new generation, forty years old, rising banker at the top of the pole. He’s very rich, very arrogant, one of four or five partners in a major investment bank." Stone cast a fresh face to play Winnie: Carey Mulligan. Her acclaimed performance in "An Education" had made a huge impression on the director. "I called Carey and said, 'I’d really love you to read this. I think you’d be great for the part of Winnie. And she was shocked that she never had to audition for the role." "Her father was notorious, and everyone knew what had happened to him and what he’d done," says Mulligan. "So her whole upbringing was just clouded by courts and her family splitting apart." Mulligan admires the film’s degree of accuracy not only in depicting recent events on Wall Street, but also how the story presents the personal lives of the characters. "It balances out, so that when you go through the section of a big boardroom meeting, then you see what happens when they get home. It’s wonderful that when we do the sort of human, emotional side; it’s just as truthful." Another woman in Jake’s life is his mother Sylvia Moore. She has become caught up in the rush to make quick money. "In the tradition of the 90s, she’s become a realtor," says Stone. He then cast Academy Award ® winning actress Susan Sarandon ("Dead Man Walking") to play Sylvia. "I always wanted to work with Susan. I had admired her from a distance, and I never really knew her. And she was up for it and had the right spirit of fun." Jake’s father figure is also his mentor in the business: Louis Zabel, the respected head of Keller Zabel Investments. "I think Jake looks up to what Lou stands for," says 2010 Sant Jordi Award winner Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon"), who was cast in the role. "Jake was a boy who needed a mentor and Louis came along at just the right time in his life. And it’s a very sweet, but very gently stated relationship. I think you have the sense that they care about each other." Langella describes the script as "extraordinarily well-written, and very intelligent about what is happening in the world." Another veteran of the world of high finance is Julie Steinhardt, a senior partner at Churchill Schwartz, to who even the powerful Bretton James must report. Eli Wallach, an iconic actor whose career has spanned seven decades, portrays Julie. Wallach, turned ninety four during filming. His Broadway debut came in 1945 with "Skydrift". He won a Tony Award in 1951 for his role as Alvaro Mangiaco in the Tennessee Williams play, "The Rose Tattoo". Coincidently, he made his screen debut in 1956 in the film version of another Tennessee Williams play, "Baby Doll". In 2005 he released his autobiography, "The Good, The Bad And Me: In My Anecdotage". "I turned to Eli because I thought he’d be one of the tough old guard and not necessarily on the up and up, either," says Stone. "With Eli, you sense there’s a crime behind Julie’s story, too."
What It's All About
 Jake Moore, a smart young proprietary trader, is making millions at the venerable Keller Zabel Investments, run by Louis Zabel, Jake’s mentor. Jake’s girlfriend, Winnie is supportive of his drive: fueled by an idealism she finds lacking in her father Gordon; to invest in green energy. A wave of rumors that Keller Zabel is stuck with billions in toxic debt causes the company’s stock price to suddenly nose-dive, and Louis Zabel is forced to fight for his company’s life at a meeting of the Federal Reserve. When they refuse a bail-out, Bretton James, a partner at the powerful investment bank, Churchill Schwartz, arranges a takeover of Keller Zabel for a fraction of its worth, destroying it. Jake decides to seek out Gekko and offers him a carrot on a stick. If Gekko provides him with information on how Louis Zabel was betrayed by his fellow bankers, he will help Gekko re-unite with his estranged daughter.
The Verdict
"Twenty three years have passed since the acclaimed Oliver Stone's acclaimed film "Wall Street"hit cinemas. So if you haven't seen the original, don't bother rushing out to hire it. By now, most who were around to see it in 1987, will, if they are honest, vaguely remember "Wall Street". In a way that's good, because nothing gets in the way of enjoying either a reimaging, a remake or a sequel, than having your enjoyment clouded by comparison. "Wall Street" was a superb film by any measure. No-one would dispute that. However, "Wall Street" was in an era vastly different to the one a new generation of cinemagoers are now growing up in. Fact is, an M [AUST] rating means, the youngest viewers weren't born until 1995. Everything (not every think) and everyboy has moved on since the eighties, with the exception of one thing: greed. But "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" isn't all about greed, it's also about loyalty and revenge. Stone's 'sequel' is a slick production. It is brilliantly shot by three time Silver Arial Award winning D.O.P Rodrigo Prieto. It features a solid cast boasting cross-generational appeal and a storyline that is certainly attention grabbing. The mood of "Wall Street" is enhanced by the score of Grammy ® Award winning Scottish composer, Craig Armstrong OBE who's film contributions include: "The Bone Collector", "Moulin Rouge!", "Love Actually" and "World Trade Centre". Solid entertainment. 4 STARS."
Who's Who?
Michael Douglas
Shia LaBeouf
Josh Brolin
Carey Mulligan
Eli Wallach
Susan Sarandon
Frank Langella
Austin Pendleton
John Bedford Lloyd
Vanessa Ferlito
John Buffalo Mailer
Jason Clarke
Christian Baha
Maria Bartiromo
Waltrudis Buck
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Gordon Gekko
Jake Moore
Bretton James
Winnie Gekko
Jules Steinhardt
Jake's Mother
Louis Zabel
Dr Masters
Treasury Secretary
Audrey
Robby
New York Fed Chief
Hedge Fund Chief
News Host
Zabel's Secretary
The Production Team
Director
Writers
Characters
Producers
Original Music
Cinematography
Film Editors
Casting
Production Design
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Costume Design
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Oliver Stone
Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff
Stanley Weiser & Oliver Stone
Eric Kopeloff/Edward R. Pressman/Oliver Stone
Craig Armstrong
Rodrigo Prieto
David Brenner & Julie Monroe
Kathleen Chopin & Sarah Finn
Kristi Zea
Paul D. Kelly
Diane Lederman
Ellen Mirojnick
Run Time 134 minutes
Rated M [AUST]
Copyright ©2010 - Twentieth Century Fox - All Rights Reserved
©1999-2010 The Movie Pages & impact Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian and International Copyright. Trademark Laws and Intellectual Property Rights apply.