The American Ruling Class

Texas appears as the arena where wealth translates into political influence. The narrative moves from a prestigious academic setting tied to Yale to elite social and financial spaces, including Taylor's mansion and major banks, illustrating where power is concentrated. The reference to a land once called Mexico that becomes Texas underscores the geopolitical scale of the ruling class's reach.

💰 Ruling Class

The film centers on whether a circle of wealthy families truly controls banks, businesses, and government in America. Through Lapham's framing, we see a systemic structure where money translates into power and instruction across sectors. The two Yale graduates’ divergent paths reveal how institutions reward different methods of influence, not just wealth alone. The narrative probes whether real change is possible from within or only from outside the system.

⚖️ Money vs Morality

Mike's struggle shows the tension between artistic integrity and financial necessity. His move from writing to banking embodies the argument that money can legitimate or suppress social change. The film suggests wealth offers defense against institutional corruption, while also posing the risk that wealth itself becomes a corrupting force. The two endings highlight the fragility of moral choices under economic pressure.

🎭 Narrative Endings

The movie deliberately splits into two endings, inviting viewers to question whether Mike stays true to his ideals or capitulates to the system. The meta device—an on-screen retcon after test screenings—adds another layer about audience interpretation. The final mood leaves the fate of Mike, and by extension the possibility of real change, unresolved. This structure mirrors the ambiguity at the heart of the ruling-class critique.