Film Review of "Boiler Room" by Yonger (2000)
Many people cannot relate the opening of movies with real life experience. This is the same case with Boiler Room where any relation with the actual life is ruled out by many. For those that appear explicit, then they are considered as coincidental rather than intended. However, this is a different case with the Boiler Room Movie where a clear analysis showcases that any similarities with life events are actually wholly intentional and planned. There is virtually nothing which is suspiciously browed from reality that was not intended. In essence, Boiler Room presents a worrisome ring of truth that relates to real-life situations.
In the movie, Seth Davis the main character is a young college dropout in his early 20s who is motivated to get quick money. He unfortunately fails in his attempt to succeed in high school through good grades. However, despite performing poorly in high school, he decides to initiate his own business which goes on to do very well. However, the actual business happens to be an illegal casino which he runs through his apartment. Despite him being a successful “businessman” his father, who is a respectable judge within the community is disappointed with his son because of engaging in illegal business. The father organizes for him to work what appears to be a reputable and successful brokerage organization identified as J.T. Marlin, an opportunity which he ready to take. He therefore abandons his casino business for this firm. He hopes that this time round, the father will not only approve of his dealings, but he will also be able to earn more money than he used to do in the past.
However, what he thinks to be an ethically straight company turns out to be an ethical dilemma since he soon realizes that in order to win one does not need to play fair. He comes to bear the truth that most of those who are successful in this company do not play nice. While working in this new company, Seth comes to learn that J.T Marlin is actually participating in illegal activities of selling stock for non-existence corporations. This is why many of the employees and managers have been able to amass extensive amount of wealth from these illegal under dealings. Seth is then left with a decision of whether he needs to continue working there and engage in illegal activities to be approved by his father or abandon the job altogether because of what it entails.
A clear analysis of this film showcases that there is a negative depiction of the business world. Particularly, the business environment is depicted as ruthless, money hungry, unscrupulous, arrogant, greedy, deceitful and overindulgent. Players are only interested in enriching themselves with disregard to the repercussions of their actions to others in the society. They can do this at the expense of their families, self, friends, and everything else (Hagan, 2007).
The trading scenes in the Boiler Room Subculture are utterly convincing to the keen audience. The tricks used by cold-callers alongside the relentless pressure of selling are relatable to the real life experience. The film endeavors to justify Seth’s actions but it is increasingly difficult to sympathize with one who is aware of his or her mistakes and the implications thereof.
The film’s moral theme are actually controversial. This is because the choices that Seth makes, that is opening and operating an illegal casino business as well as working in an illegal brokerage are not fair. However, Seth’s father can also take the blame for his problems because he is pressuring him to succeed at all costs. Eventually they end up finding themselves in a mesh. Even in today’s perspective, many parents are forcing their children to choose careers that appear to be prospective irrespective of whether the child has interest in them or not. Parents and or guardians can only do justice to their children by letting them decide what they want to be in life. Furthermore, each person has a different capability and as much as one may like an individual to be like another, it may not be possible. The story thus provides a good moral lesson to individuals in following their conscience as well as parents to ensure that their children did what is on their heart.
Conclusively, this film’s core message is to showcase the danger of greed to humanity. On the other hand, it has accepted the prevalence of greed in the society which is almost becoming a norm. However, in its presentation, Boiler Room does not glorify the vice but rather gives it a neutral value and with resignations. In the end, it is what people do with their sense of greed which makes it either bad or good. In other words, the buck stops with individuals in preventing or facilitating graft. In short, Boiler Room Movie can be said to be a confident film which has successfully tackled an important subject with conviction and great insights. It is also an entertaining and solid debut.
References
Hagan, J. (2007). The sucker wears a wire. New York Guides. Retrieved from
http://nymag.com/guides/money/2007/39956/
Younger, B. (2000). Boiler Room.
