Gordon Gekko performed by Michael Douglas

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Today trading on stock exchanges is as popular as it was in the 80s. The success of tens of thousands of traders depends entirely on the rate quotes, each of them dreams of hitting a big jackpot one day. So who are these stock traders - players, analysts, visionaries or just lucky ones? And how does rotation in the world of half-truths and the desire for profit change a person? These and other difficult questions of the day were raised by Oliver Stone in the 1987 film Wall Street. He chose the stock trader Gordon Gekko as the main character.

Why the idea for the film came about

Since the father of the director himself also worked on the stock exchange in the 60s, Oliver Stone knew the kitchen of the entire trading process well. Besides, he, like many others, was concerned about what the once decorous Wall Street gentleman's exchange had become. After the removal of some financial and trading restrictions, as well as due to the faster dissemination of information, the American market of the late 70s and early 80s became like a huge casino, where in a few moments someone could spend millions, and someone could get a whole condition.

Who is Gordon Gekko?

He is a shark in the world of stocks and bonds, a successful seasoned trader who has made a fortune in the tens of millions through experience, the ability to foresee and some financial fraud. This is a fictional character, however Oliver Stone conceived him as a collective image based on real businessmen of that time - Michael Milken, Ivan Boschi.

Although Richard Gere or Warren Beatty were considered for the role, Michael Douglas was finally approved. He played his roles flawlessly, even when he had to play villains. And although the director's idea was to condemn the way of life and thinking of unprincipled merchants, the charm and charisma of the actor slightly changed the concept of the film and showed Gordon Gekko from the other side. Michael Douglas shifted the focus, showing that the hero achieved success not only because of the manipulation of dishonestly obtained information, but also due to thoughtful moves and the right deal strategy.

Although Gordon Gekko is by no means a positive character. He is a player who puts capital above family, obligations and human relationships. Gekko does not shy away from getting insider information, pouring it into the right hands, thereby creating a stir or panic about certain stocks for his own benefit. He is a pragmatist and a cynic who understands that any emotions in this matter are unnecessary. Being cold-blooded and avoiding any likes and affections is his motto.

Movie plot

Bad Fox is a novice trader who dreams of making big money in one fell swoop. But soon herealizes that he lacks the skill and dexterity to break out of the rank and file employees of the exchange. Therefore, he finds a second way: he seeks cooperation with Gordon Gekko, the thunderstorm of the stock exchange world, leaking information to him about one upcoming deal. Since then, Gordon has used Bud as a stock spy who, by hook or by crook, obtained insider data, and he himself used it for his own profit. Such a symbiosis was useful for both of them, and Fox's fortune also began to grow.

But at one point it all ended, because after another deal, Bud realized that Gordon Gekko had betrayed him, and that he had been a puppet in his hands all this time, so he went to his direct competitor and began to cooperate with him. As a result, Gordon's shares fell sharply in price, for which he declared Bud to the financial police as a dishonest broker. Fox, in turn, spoke about the machinations of Gekko, for which he was sentenced to 10 years.

Famous sayings by Gordon Gekko

• "Lust for profit is good." This is his life credo.
• "The first lesson in business is: never get emotional." He believed that a cold mind was needed to successfully conduct business.
• "Money makes us do what we don't want to".
• "If you want a friend, get a puppy." This phrase is often quoted when talking about any type of entrepreneurial activity where there can be no question of any friendship or affection between business partners, because this will only harm the business ineventually.
• "I don't create anything, I just own." So Gordon explained in a nutshell the principle of the existence of joint-stock companies.
• "Money never sleeps".

Interesting movie facts

• Gordon Gekko from the movie "Wall Street" uses the world's first mobile phone that weighs more than 1 kg.
• Forbes Magazine ranked him 4 of the 15 fictional movie villains in 2008 net worth.
• Michael Douglas, in preparation for the role, studied with a speech teacher to learn how to speak clearly and abruptly.
• Costumes for the film were made by Nino Cerutti.
• Gordon has the rarest pistol in the world, the Luger 0.45, valued at $1 million.

This film is a tutorial for beginner traders and Forex players. Although times have changed, and now there are many more opportunities to check information, the principles of trading on the stock exchange remain the same. And Gordon Gekko himself became a symbol of the era of stock market players, and his statements survived the time and are relevant now.