Other People’s Money

Set against the late 1980s, a period known for aggressive corporate takeovers and leveraged finance. The film shows a clash between old-fashioned manufacturing values and modern, money-driven corporate tactics, including Schedule 13D filings and hostile bids. It highlights the mood of a town watching blue-collar jobs and local identity hinge on private-sector decisions.

The story unfolds in a Rhode Island town centered on the New England Wire & Cable Company, the main employer that anchors the local economy. The community is tight-knit, defined by its manufacturing tradition and the people who work there. The plant and town together become the battleground for a high-stakes corporate takeover.

💼 Corporate Raiders

A sharp, ruthless financier hunts for profit by buying control of companies to liquidate assets or extract value. The film tracks the tension between Garfield’s strategic genius and the town’s attachment to long-standing workers and products. It explores how such raiders impact loyalty, jobs, and the meaning of success.

⚖️ Ethics vs Profit

The takeover plot tests whether financial gains justify the disruption of a community’s fabric. Greenmail, leverage, and voting rights threaten to override employees’ livelihoods and local culture. The story probes whether profit can justify moral compromises.

💘 Romance in Business

Romantic tension emerges between Kate and Garfield amid the power struggle, showing how attraction can complicate business decisions. The relationship pits emotion against the hard logic of a hostile bid. It suggests that human connection persists even in cutthroat corporate environments.