Money Makes The World Go ‘Round

Posted on Author Ryan McNeil
There’s a great line from Danny DeVito in the 2001 movie HEIST:

Everybody needs money. That’s why they call it “money”.

I can’t help but worry about my American friends and what is happening with the house of cards your economy has become. Worse yet, I can’t help but wonder about what will happen with our Canadian economy if the American market continues to plummet. What better thing to do at a time like this, than to look to the movies to see what lessons we can learn.

Hatter’s Top Five Money Movies

#5. A SIMPLE PLAN (1998)… The lesson here is that instant windfalls can cause more problems than they are worth. Sure happening upon a bag of $4M might seem like it’d solve a lot of problems…much like gift wrapping $700B might seem like it’d solve a lot of problems. However, such unearned funds don’t make matters better, they only lead to dissension, infighting, and a downward spiral. And if that happens, don’t let Bill Paxton anywhere near the fireplace!

#4. OCEANS ELEVEN (2001)… The lesson here is a simple one. No matter how safe you think your loot is protected, there’s always a band of good-looking jokers that can yank it out from under you if you aren’t careful.

#3. THE STING (1973)… I felt compelled to include this one in honour of our dearly departed Mr. Newman. Much like OCEAN’S ELEVEN, THE STING reminds us that our money will always be at risk of slick-talking hustlers. But the more important lesson here, is to beware of the long con…or even the semi-legitimate idea that might as well be a long con (*cough*subprime mortgages*coughcough*). The friendly guy who looks like Redford might seem like he’s on your side, but there’s always a chance that horse he’s telling you to bet on can lose.

#2. TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948… While it may be hard to believe in times like these, the lesson here is that money isn’t everything. We’re all going to have good times and bad times financially, but if all we do is focus in on the riches we want and think we have, then we’ll drive ourselves stir-crazy, and possibly over fortunes that aren’t even real. Cliche as it may sound, never let money come between partnerships – or worse – friendships.

#1. WALL STREET (1987)… Contrary to what Mr. Gecko would have you believe, the lesson here is not that “Greed is good”. The lesson here is that what goes up, must come down. And that for every genuine self-made millionaire, there are about three dozen corrupt corporate criminals. The next time you want to know who’s to blame for the financial crisis you’re in, pop in your DVD of this Oliver Stone movie and ask yourself how many scheisters got away with how many worse crmes than what plays out over those two hours.

Did I forget one? Post a comment and tell me your favorite money movies and perhaps even the lessons they taught you. Likewise, feel free to make suggestions for next week’s top five.

8 Replies to “Money Makes The World Go ‘Round”

  1. Holy crap, people, A Simple Plan is one of the best movies of the last decade and it needs to be seen immediately.

  2. Boiler Room? It’s especially more relevant now with the market in chaos and with Wall St. (partially) to blame.

  4. Nice list.

    I caught A Simple Plan on late night TV for the first time the other day. Jesus, that’s one dark film. Great stuff.

    I’d add Shallow Grave to this list, I love that ending.

  6. A Simple Plan…wow. GREAT choice.
    I’d agree with Mike about Boiler Room.

    One of my Top 5 would be Trading Places. Don’t lie. You know that’s a good pick.

  7. Rounders is another phenomenal recommendation.

    So the consensus is that A Simple Plan is indeed the most underrated movie in history. I can live with that.

Comments are closed.