Video: A Real Sleeper

By: Holley Sinn

Verdict: Denied

I really really wanted to like this film. In light of Michael Douglas' recent diagnosis and subsequent treatment for throat cancer, I ESPECIALLY wanted to like this film. Douglas has always been one of my favorite actors - he has a swagger and a style all his own, and he is what Hollywood calls a "heavyweight", meaning he's a high-dollar "get" if you can cast him, and he's pretty picky about his projects. BUT...a sequel to the classic 1983 film "Wall Street", which dealt with the then heinous crime of insider trading, was going to have to be stellar...especially with so much unbelievable ripped-from-the-headlines material to work with.

But our dear, opinionated, often over-zealous Oliver Stone (whom I typically love for all of those reasons) either went soft or let the studio executives get in the way, and what's left is merely a shadow of what the financial world's biggest villain once was.

"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" stars Shia LeBeouf as Jake Moore, a young prodigy in the world of futures and trading whose beloved boss and mentor Louis Zabel, played by Frank Langella, meets an untimely demise due to his company's rapid decline in the early stages of 2008's unprecendented market crash. With a healthy bonus check in his pocket, Jake takes Zabel's advice and proposes to his longtime girlfriend Winnie Gekko...who happens to be the daughter of the notorious villain from the first film...Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas. Without a job and out for revenge, Jake pays the newly released Gekko a visit with a two-fold mission...reuniting father and daughter...and payback.

When it comes to light that Zabel's demise was due to some manipulation by investment executive Bretton James, played by Josh Brolin, Jake sees it as his duty to do the same to his rival's firm. However, the loss only peaks James' interest in young Jake, whom he offers a job, loosely promising his firm's backing of a fusion energy company for which Jake is passionate. Meantime, Winnie and Gordon have made a menz, and it seems the great Gekko has possibly turned a moral corner.

To this point, despite some odd style choices, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" is fairly solid. The focus falls primarily on the business dealings and a sweet "Hollywood" reunion between parent and child. However, the third act takes a wild turn that feels so awkward and forced, audiences might feel a little duped. That isn't to say that Gekko's actions aren't somewhat expected or that Jake's catharsis couldn't be predicted, but there's just a strangeness to the ending that leaves some unfortunate loose ends. The soundtrack is also wonky thanks to the dated nature of David Byrne's attempt at sounding current...it's an homage to the original film, and it just doesn't work.

"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" is certainly worth viewing eventually...as a rental, but for me, the 133 minute runtime just made me sleepy, and the ending made me a little angry. It's rated PG-13 (yup!), and is now playing in theaters all over the bay area.