"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps", Oliver Stone's sequel to his 1987 classic "Wall Street", attempts to put its finger squarely on the pulse of American anger and anxiety that resulted from the economic meltdown of two years ago. And while there is really no significant insight to be gleaned from this film, it is still a blast, a gripping and sublimely acted success. In terms of social relevance, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" sees modest results. But the movie is thoroughly engrossing and entertaining. Gordon Gekko captivated audiences in 1987 with his declaration that greed is good. Twenty-three years later, he still carries a magnetic aura, and audiences will be eager to reacquaint with him.
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The film commences in the year 2001, as Gekko (Michael Douglas) is being released from prison after serving an eight-year sentence. Flash forward to 2008, and Gekko has reestablished his place in the limelight. Still an economic guru, Gekko's book is a best-seller, and he has gone back to enjoying the fruits of a lavish lifestyle. His loneliness, however, has not subsided. Gekko lives a life of isolation, and his daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan) hasn't spoken to him in years. Meanwhile, Winnie's fiancee Jake (Shia LaBeouf), a young hotshot power broker on Wall Street, is reminiscent of a young Gordon Gekko, with the same slick confidence and ambition. When the economy disintegrates, however, Jake is devastated by the suicide of his long-time mentor (Frank Langella). Jake blames an egotistical hedge fund manager (Josh Brolin) for his mentor's suicide, and he wants nothing more than to seek sweet revenge. In this endeavor, Jake goes to Gordon Gekko, his soon-to-be father-in-law, for advice. The two men strike an alliance, and Jake tries to repair Winnie's relationship with her father.
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If all of this sounds a little too busy, well, that's because it is. "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' lacks a coherent focus, and the film is too congested for its own good. Still, this movie works, and that is a testament to the actors. Shia LaBeouf gives far and away the best performance of his young career in the lead role, exuding effortless command on the screen. LaBeouf reminds us here that he is a damn good actor when he is not wrestling giant robots in those stupid "Transformers" movies. Carey Mulligan, fresh off an Oscar nomination for her work in "An Education", is wonderful, flawlessly portraying a woman struggling to reconcile her feelings of contempt toward her father with her evident desire to offer him forgiveness. Josh Brolin is terrific in a scene-stealing role as the film's villain. And in a small but pivotal role, the great Frank Langella is brilliant as an aging, deeply disillusioned Wall Street trader. As great as all of the aforementioned actors are, though, the best work is turned in by Michael Douglas. One of the greatest, most underappreciated actors in the world, Douglas is sensational here. In every scene in which he appears, Douglas commands the screen with incredible force. Twenty-three years after he won Best Actor for "Wall Street", Michael Douglas should receive another Oscar nomination for the same role in this movie. Both Douglas and the character that he so beautifully portrays remain as fascinating as ever.
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"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" is a flawed movie, but it is well worth seeing. While Oliver Stone's movie doesn't always hit the mark as a scathing social commentary, it is a richly satisfying popcorn picture, and I mean that as a compliment. "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" is never less than entertaining, and the audience will savor the results.
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