Wall Street

Oliver Stone's directing is superbly dynamic and evocative, as usual, but for a viewer not particularly interested in economics, this film can often be very confusing. Stone doesn't hold the viewer's hand, he doesn’t give any explanations or guiding hints. But all of this doesn't change the fact that Michael Douglas plays his role brilliantly, and Charlie Sheen is consistently good. Sunlit shots of the New York skyline – a feast for the eyes – and the attractive world of the rich will captivate practically anyone. Stone chooses interesting stories and works with them in an even more interesting way. Wall Street is not his best film, but as usual, it is at a very solid level. (04/08/2006)

I am about as familiar with stock market events, selling, buying, rising or falling stock prices as a chamois is with driving a steam locomotive. And that's probably why I didn't really enjoy Wall Street, since I had absolutely no idea what was going on during many of the scenes. Fortunately, the basic story was understandable despite this fact, the actors were excellent and Oliver Stone managed to produce a number of memorable scenes (the arrest was the best in my view). Wall Street isn't one of his best films, but it's certainly one of his very good ones. (02/03/2014)

A film that defines Oliver Stone’s filmmaking as such. After all, what else invites a more poignant critique of the capitalist system than Wall Street itself? The simple tale of an insignificant bloke in a crowded office who gets money, and then a personal epiphany, serves as a springboard for Stone to the greater goal of Gordon Gekko. A demon that symbolizes the perversity of the world's financial system and all that inherently goes with it. The arrogance and recklessness materialized in Michael Douglas in such a way that it's no wonder he took home the most valuable acting award for the role. One could argue for hours over how tendentious this film is, but it will forever remain without debate that it is one of Stone’s best films. 4 ½. PS: Daryl Hannah looks like a barely made-up transvestite from the line of S.J. Parker, etc. (04/02/2010)

The message is somewhat shallow and unsurprising, but the execution is flawless. After all, this is a story about the conflict of brilliantly defined characters, career interests and life values with the striking charm of the bourgeoisie that doesn’t care at all about the layered side plots, but its portrayal is so alive that it’s more than enough for an intense viewer experience. Wall Street is the epicentre of life where Stone and Richardson move like fierce predators and whose king is the piercingly charismatic Michael Douglas – he and Sheen, deserve all the praise, unlike Daryl Hannah, whom I would love to send to a cabaret show. 80% (04/03/2020)

I can't help but feel that Stone's functioning morality had a much greater impact at the time of its creation and that it has aged too much over the past twenty years. However, its atmosphere cannot be denied, as the director actively draws the viewer into the sweaty and nervous world of brokers, even though he doesn't bother explaining or even hinting at its rules. The main weakness is the script, which even a slightly attentive viewer can easily see through from the beginning, and the development of characters and plot doesn't require much effort. On the other hand, the main acting duo is a strong point. It's not surprising that Douglas delivers an Oscar-worthy performance, but Charlie Sheen's determined character, setting a devilish pace, is truly breathtaking. You can find life truths in this film, but it's up to each viewer to judge whether they want them served so clearly. (01/27/2007)