http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/the-recovery-within-us-the-human-and-legal-situation-of-wall-street-2/ Sun, 19 May 2013 21:30:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/the-recovery-within-us-the-human-and-legal-situation-of-wall-street-2/#comment-20420 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:35:35 +0000 http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/?p=11944#comment-20420 I am not sure we saw the same movie. At the end Gekko steals his daughter’s money and ruins her fiancee’s prospects since the money was supposed to go to the start up energy firm. The reunion at the end on the strength of the coming baby is completely implausible and seems tacked on. Given the lavish visual treatment of those at the top and the incredible price paid by both Winnie and Jacob for trying to pursue their values instead of personal gain, juxtaposed with the extended scene of Gordon acquiring bespoke suits and shoes in London it would seem like the implicit message of the film is at some odds with what I agree seems to be its explicit message regarding hard work, real value and the dangerous of speculation. Despite his extended term in prison it doesn’t appear that Gekko has learned anything at all. He was just sidelined and waiting for his chance to get back in the game at any cost, including what by any rights should have been permanently burning his bridges with his duaghter. (The only reason it doesn’t is the sort of movie script imperative for a “happy” ending, although how happy this couple will be with him back in their lives is an open question. And of course, like all fairy tales, the reunion includes Gekko giving his daughter back her 100 million dollars. Money doesn’t buy happiness of course but it does stave off a whole host of sources of unhappiness – like fear about how you are going to pay the rent or pay for the hospital for the coming baby, etc. I think Stone sees the human tragedy involved in these episodes and deplores the “masters of the universe” mentality that may have led to the meltdown. But his movie betrays a certain attraction to it as well. And it definitely seems to endorse a willingness to gamble large amounts as seeming an expression of machismo. I don’t know. Not sure I see a whole lot in it that doesn’t support the status quo while apparently deploring it at the same time.

]]>