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The Fortune (1975) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Fortune (1975) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1975 · 88 min
JustWatch #18,204 14
Directed by
Mike Nichols
Starring
Jack Nicholson, Scatman Crothers, Warren Beatty, Stockard Channing, Ian Wolfe, Richard B. Shull

During the roaring twenties, two charming con artists set out to manipulate a wealthy heiress and steal her inheritance. Their elaborate scheme unfolds with increasing risk and audacious maneuvers, pushing them to the edge of legality as they pursue their ambitious goal. As the stakes rise, they find themselves entangled in a dangerous game where nothing is off-limits in their pursuit of fortune.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Fortune
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Fortune (1975)

Where can you watch The Fortune? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Fortune Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Fortune (1975), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Nicky Wilson (Jack Nicholson)

    Nicky Wilson is a charming yet morally ambiguous swindler who finds himself caught in a web of desire and deception. His attraction to Freddie complicates his already tumultuous life, revealing his selfish tendencies and willingness to manipulate those around him. Nicky's cunning nature demonstrates both his intelligence and his moral failings as he navigates a dangerous game.

    • 🕴️ Swindler
    • 💔 Love
    • 💸 Greed
  • Oscar Sullivan (Warren Beatty)

    Oscar Sullivan is Nicky's partner in crime, portrayed as desperate and unscrupulous. Seizing every chance to escape his own legal troubles, he is drawn into Nicky's audacious schemes, showcasing his calculating nature. Oscar's willingness to consider marrying Freddie highlights his willingness to manipulate relationships for personal gain.

    • 🤵 Manipulator
    • 😨 Desperate
    • 💰 Fortune Hunter
  • Fredericka Quintessa 'Freddie' Bigard

    Freddie is an innocent heiress, swept into the chaotic plans of Nicky and Oscar without realizing their true intentions. Her naive charm and sharp instincts drive the plot, ultimately allowing her to outsmart the swindlers despite their attempts to control her. Freddie symbolizes the intersection of vulnerability and resilience, illustrating how societal expectations impact her choices.

    • 👩‍🎤 Heiress
    • 🎭 Innocent
    • 💖 Love Interest
  • Detective X (Scatman Crothers)

    Detective X is the baffled investigator who inadvertently uncovers the absurdities surrounding Nicky and Oscar's schemes. His surprise at Freddie's unexpected fate lends a comedic touch to the climax, as he navigates the chaos of the situation. The detective represents the unpredictable nature of truth amidst deception.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Detective
    • 😲 Confused
    • 🎭 Observer

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:08

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Setting

Where and When Does The Fortune Take Place?

The setting of The Fortune (1975): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties was a period of economic prosperity and cultural dynamism in the United States, marked by jazz music, flapper culture, and the rise of cinema. It was a time of great social change, where traditional values were challenged, and new attitudes towards wealth and morality emerged. This historical context amplifies the film’s themes of ambition, greed, and personal desire.

Location

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, known as the entertainment capital of the world, serves as the vibrant backdrop for 'The Fortune.' The city is renowned for its film industry, sunny climate, and diverse culture. During the Roaring Twenties, it was a time of significant social change and economic growth, making it an ideal setting for the movie's themes of ambition and deception.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎭 Location
  • 💼 Business

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:08

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3 major themes

The Fortune Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Fortune (1975) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Forbidden Love

    The theme of forbidden love runs deep in 'The Fortune,' particularly through the relationship between Nicky and Freddie. Nicky, already married, finds himself tangled in desire that defies societal norms, resulting in a complex web of deceit. This unreciprocated longing not only complicates their lives but also exposes the fragility of heartfelt connections amid greed.

  • Crime and Deception

    The film delves into the realms of crime and deception as Nicky and Oscar devise increasingly dubious methods to maintain control over their financial ambitions. Their willingness to resort to extreme measures portrays the darker side of human nature. The absurd and chaotic unfolding of their criminal activities serves as a reflection of the moral ambiguity that defines the characters' pursuits.

  • Wealth and Greed

    Wealth and greed are central themes in 'The Fortune,' driving the plot and character motivations. Freddie's inherited fortune becomes the object of desire for Nicky and Oscar, blurring the lines between love and lust for wealth. Their desperate attempts to manipulate circumstances reveal how greed can corrupt intentions and lead to absurd consequences.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:08

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Character & theme questions

The Fortune Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Fortune (1975): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does The Fortune take place?

The Fortune is set in Los Angeles, known as the entertainment capital of the world. The city's sunny climate, film industry background, and diverse culture create an ideal backdrop for the story's themes of ambition and deception.

  • los angeles
  • setting
  • location
  • backdrop
Q2

What era is The Fortune set in?

The film takes place during the Roaring Twenties, a period of economic prosperity and cultural dynamism in the United States. This era was marked by jazz music, flapper culture, and the rise of cinema, making it a time of significant social change.

  • roaring twenties
  • 1920s
  • time period
  • era
  • historical context
Q3

What is the forbidden love theme in The Fortune?

The forbidden love theme centers on Nicky and Freddie, whose attraction defies societal norms. Nicky is already married, creating a complex web of deceit that complicates their relationship and exposes the fragility of heartfelt connections amid greed.

  • forbidden love
  • romance
  • Nicky
  • relationship
  • desire
Q4

How does wealth drive the plot of The Fortune?

Freddie's inherited fortune becomes the object of desire for Nicky and Oscar, blurring the lines between love and lust for wealth. Their desperate attempts to manipulate circumstances reveal how greed can corrupt intentions and lead to absurd consequences.

  • wealth
  • greed
  • inheritance
  • fortune
  • money
  • motivation
Q5

Who is Nicky Wilson in The Fortune?

Nicky Wilson is a charming yet morally ambiguous swindler played by Jack Nicholson. He finds himself caught in a web of desire and deception, with his attraction to Freddie revealing his selfish tendencies and willingness to manipulate those around him.

  • nicky wilson
  • jack nicholson
  • main character
  • con artist
  • swindler
Q6

Who is Oscar Sullivan in The Fortune?

Oscar Sullivan is Nicky's partner in crime, portrayed as desperate and unscrupulous by Warren Beatty. He is drawn into Nicky's audacious schemes and is willing to consider marrying Freddie to escape his own legal troubles, showcasing his calculating nature.

  • oscar sullivan
  • warren beatty
  • con artist
  • partner
  • criminal
Q7

Who is Freddie in The Fortune?

Freddie Quintessa Bigard is an innocent heiress swept into the plans of Nicky and Oscar without realizing their true intentions. Her naive charm and sharp instincts ultimately allow her to outsmart the swindlers, symbolizing the intersection of vulnerability and resilience.

  • freddie
  • heiress
  • female lead
  • victim
  • survivor
Q8

What type of movie is The Fortune?

The Fortune is a neo screwball comedy that blends romance, crime, and humor. Despite its themes of deception and crime, the film maintains a light, farcical tone where serious subjects like murder are treated comedically, resulting in a happy ending.

  • comedy
  • screwball
  • genre
  • tone
  • humor
  • romantic comedy
Q9

How do crime and deception function in The Fortune?

The film explores crime and deception as Nicky and Oscar devise increasingly dubious methods to achieve their financial ambitions. Their willingness to resort to extreme measures portrays the darker side of human nature, with their criminal activities unfolding in absurd and chaotic ways.

  • crime
  • deception
  • con
  • scheme
  • fraud
  • criminal activity
Q10

What makes The Fortune a neo-screwball comedy?

As a neo-screwball comedy, The Fortune features rapid pacing, witty dialogue, and absurd plot twists typical of classic screwball films. Elements like a faked death being revealed as a fainting spell exemplify the humorous and farcical approach that distinguishes this subgenre.

  • neo screwball
  • screwball comedy
  • absurd
  • farcical
  • humor
  • classic comedy

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Fortune, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Fortune tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with chaotic crime comedy like The Fortune

Lighthearted stories of charming but inept criminals whose plans spiral into absurdity. If you enjoyed the whimsical and absurd crime plot of The Fortune, you'll like these movies. This selection features comedies about charming con artists and bumbling criminals, where fast-paced schemes lead to playful chaos and a lighthearted tone, perfect for fans of witty, devious fun.

  • witty
  • chaotic
  • playful
  • devious
  • absurd
  • fast-paced
  • Tone: light, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow charismatic but often incompetent characters as they hatch an audacious plan, only for it to be comically derailed by unexpected complications, double-crosses, or their own ineptitude. The journey is less about success and more about the absurd, chaotic fun of the attempt.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared blend of crime and high-spirited comedy, a fast pace driven by escalating plans, and a consistently light tone that treats illegal activities as a playground for farce and witty character interactions.

Movies with period piece con games like The Fortune

Elaborate cons and romantic entanglements set against a stylish historical backdrop. For viewers who liked the 1920s setting and inheritance scheme in The Fortune, this list features similar movies. Discover stories of elaborate cons, witty banter, and romantic complications, all set against richly detailed historical periods that add charm and unique opportunities for deception.

  • stylish
  • witty
  • devious
  • nostalgic
  • sophisticated
  • romantic
  • Tone: witty, stylish
  • Pacing: steady, fast
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a clever scheme—often targeting wealth or status—that is deeply intertwined with the social norms and technology of its time. Romance and double-crosses are common, and the plot uses the historical context to create both obstacles and ingenious solutions for the characters.

Why they belong together: These films are linked by their core premise of a period-set con, which creates a specific vibe blending sophisticated wit, nostalgic style, and narrative cleverness. The historical setting provides a cohesive feel that distinguishes them from contemporary capers.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Fortune

Similar movies to The Fortune: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Fortune (1975) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Fortune in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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