THE BILLIONAIRES BOYS CLUB
US, 2018, 108 minutes, Colour.
Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Taron Egerton, Emma Roberts, Ryan Rottman, Jeremy Irvine, Thomas Cocquerel, Bokeem Woodbine, Waleed Zuaiter, Suki Waterhouse, Judd Nelson.
Directed by James Cox.
This story of greed and wealth takes audiences back to the 1980s, the year of Wall Street, of Michael Douglas as Gordon Gecko, of his mantra that “greed is good�. This is a story of actual characters and events which illustrate this philosophy.
The setting is southern California, the characters rich young men, many belonging to wealthy families. At the centre is a young man who is a whiz at business deals, played by Ansel Elgort, looked down at school but making connections with a fellow student from the time, played by Taron Egerton (Kingsman, Elton John in Rocketman). The film shows the various steps that they take, spreading the word among friends and peers, building up finance resources, the development of a Ponzi scheme.
As with all the stories, things go very well for a time, especially with some of the business and fathers investing, even risking funds for college education of their children. But, the men are too smart for their own good, in fact, not smart enough.
The outwitting is done by an even smarter financial conman, played by Kevin Spacey, his last role before sexual misconduct allegations were made. He gives a very smooth and deceptive performance.
Eventually, desperation takes over, leading to abduction plans, leading to murder. Bokeem Woodbine appears as a bodyguard who breaks out in violence.
There is some criticism that the screenplay is far too favourable to the central character who did not deserve such sympathy.
The supporting cast is made up of aspiring young actors of the time.
This version was not well received, comparison is made with the 19’87 telemovie which starred Judd Nelson (who appears as Ansel Elgort’s father in this version).
1. The film based on actual characters and events? Previous documentary material, news treatment of the cases, dramatic miniseries? Different interpretations and perspectives?
2. Los Angeles, the 1970s and 1980s? The ethos of the times, American finance and deals? Wall Street? Financial entrepreneurs? Finance families and their heritage? The different generations, the tycoons, the next generation and their ambitions to make their mark?
3. The settings of Los Angeles, different backgrounds, the world of the wealthy, mansions, restaurants, offices? The building up of the company, lavish offices, well-appointed mansions…? The musical score?
4. The screenplay and its perspective on Joe Hunt? His character, ambitions, his background and his father, scholarship at wealthy school, his financial skills, risk taking, success, naive reading of character, consequences of investment, moral stances, collapse, violence and murder? Sympathy for him or not?
5. The screenplay and its perspective on Dean Carney, his character, background, education background, knowing Joe, seeing his success, ambitions, tempting Joe, supporting him, his colleagues and their backgrounds, taking of risks, moral perspective, leading to fraud and deception, to violence? Sympathy for him or not? Especially at the end, his confession, blaming Joe, turning state witness?
6. Joe, business a success, his relationship with his father, humble background, needing his father to save him? His flare, the discussions with the Dean, quick profit? Planning, persuasive with Dean? The decision to from the company? Dean and his outreach, the interviews, the various personalities of the friends, their family backgrounds, their social life, raucous and wealthy, girlfriends? Interest in Joe? His 50% profit? Joining, investment, meetings? The discussions with the older generation, Joe as persuasive, their investment? The investor risking his children’s college investment?
7. The character of Ron Levin, Kevin Spacey’s presence and performance? suave, self-confidence, smile and smirk, his contacts, dining with Andy Warhol, sums of money, investments, his liking Joe, the friendship, the meetings, at his house, the trick with the fake antiquity and dropping it, his principles, self-interest? His continued support, loans, investments, phone calls, setting people up? His tricking Joe, promising to reimburse, signing cheques, cheques bouncing? Joe taking Tim, masked, the setup, the threats, the gun? Tim killing Ron? Taking the body, burying him?
8. Sidney, rich background, at socials, rich and style, interest in Joe, his response to her? The various meetings, her art ambitions, her work in the Gallery, her being humiliated at the opening, Joe and his response? Meetings, discussions, the warehouse floor, the possibility for the relationship? Joe and his moods, the death of Ron, Sidney questioning, pressurising Dean for information, intending to report to the police? The dinner with her parents, their affluent background, Joe being upset, leaving?
9. The financial difficulties, the reaction of the young members of the group, pulling out?
10. Dean, continually with Joe, as best friend, ideas, pressures?
11. Izzy, the Iranian background, finance, his father, his father’s reputation in Iran, in the United States, disreputable, drugs? The plan to use him to raise the money, his being unwilling, the trunk, his collapse, transporting him, his recovery, Dean and the drugs, the fight, Dean killing him, and disposal of the body?
12. Sidney, prepared to leave, Joe and his desperation? Arrested? The interrogations, Dean and his confession?
13. The final information about Dean and Witness Protection, Joe, defending himself, trials, in prison, declaration of innocence?
