Wall Street

Wall Street

Year: 1987

Runtime: 126 min

Language: English

Director: Oliver Stone

DramaCrime

In the cutthroat world of high finance, a driven young broker will stop at nothing to claim the top spot, even if it means compromising his morals and teaming up with a cunning corporate predator.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Wall Street yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Wall Street (1987)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Wall Street (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1985

The mid-1980s marked a significant turning point in American finance, characterized by deregulation and rampant speculation. This period saw the rise of corporate raiders and hostile takeovers, creating tensions between traditional corporate values and the aggressive pursuit of wealth. This context provides the backdrop for Bud Fox's journey and moral dilemmas.

Location

Wall Street, New York City, Bluestar Airlines

Wall Street is known as the financial district in New York City, bustling with stock trading and corporate ambition. Bluestar Airlines represents the American airline industry, symbolizing the struggles between labor and corporate greed. Together, these locations set the stage for the intense conflict between personal integrity and the pursuit of wealth.

🏙️ City ✈️ Airline

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:40

Main Characters – Wall Street (1987)
Meet the key characters of Wall Street (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen)

Bud Fox is an ambitious young stockbroker eager to climb the corporate ladder. Initially naive, he seeks validation and success at any cost, becoming entangled in Gekko's unscrupulous methods. His journey of self-discovery and moral awakening prompts him to ultimately challenge corruption.

💼 Aspirational 😔 Torn

Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas)

Gordon Gekko is a charismatic and merciless corporate raider who embodies the ethos of greed is good. He serves as both a mentor and antagonist to Bud, manipulating him for his personal gain. Gekko's lack of ethics highlights the film's critique of corporate capitalism.

🚀 Ambitious 💼 Ruthless

Carl Fox

Carl Fox is Bud’s father and a blue-collar maintenance foreman who represents traditional values and hard work. His opposition to Gekko’s unethical practices creates a moral conflict within Bud, emphasizing the generation gap in values and ethics.

👨‍👦 Family 📉 Traditional

Darien (Daryl Hannah)

Darien is Bud's glamorous girlfriend who enjoys the trappings of wealth that come with his newfound success. Her character illustrates the seductive allure of the high life and its impact on personal relationships within the corporate world.

✨ Glamorous 💔 Romantic

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:40

Major Themes – Wall Street (1987)
Explore the central themes of Wall Street (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Greed is a central theme in 'Wall Street', showcasing how the insatiable desire for wealth can corrupt individuals. Gordon Gekko epitomizes this through his ruthless tactics and exploitation of the financial system. Bud’s initial ambition aligns with this theme, though he ultimately comes to recognize the danger of losing his moral compass.

⚖️ Justice

The pursuit of justice emerges as a poignant theme, especially through Bud's transformation. Initially willing to compromise his values, he ultimately chooses to expose Gekko's corruption, signaling a rejection of unethical practices. The film illustrates the struggle between self-interest and the greater good, culminating in Bud's fight for accountability.

👨‍👦 Family

Family dynamics play a crucial role in 'Wall Street', particularly in Bud's relationship with his father, Carl Fox. The conflict between Bud's ambition and Carl's traditional values highlights the impact of familial expectations and ethics. As Bud’s actions lead to both personal gain and familial strife, the theme underscores the importance of loyalty and moral choice.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:40

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