Worth seeing. I wasn't as offended by the world-view presented as others were. These are very young people grappling with enormous privilege, which unsurprisingly, is its own circle of Hell. Ironically, their struggles are not very different from anyone else's. "What am I going to do with myself?" is something everyone asks. Not having to work is just the other side of having to work. Ultimately, we all still have to make our way in this world. But, one does get a sense of the truism of Thoreau's comment that(paraphrase)"to be born rich is not to be born at all, but rather, still-born." I saw this on HBO and watched Indian Point, another documentary, right after. There was Robert F. Kennedy, another child of privilege, hard at work doing something that matters to him. The individuals who are struggling in Born Rich could benefit by watching him at work and learning how to live.
43 Reviews
Utterly fascinating...
causegrrrl28 October 2003
Born Rich is a documentary. Having said that, I'm not quite sure how to approach describing this film. I had such a strong reaction to it that it's hard for me to even write this review. Try to view it as I did, with open ears and an open mind, and one may feel a reaction that I myself was surprised to feel- sympathy. "Right..." you're thinking. "Sympathy for those little devils born rich."
No, really. I felt a bit of sympathy and a bit of disgust (just listen to Luke Weil yakking about "little bitch[es]" who won't sign pre-nups) but my true reaction was one of, "Oh... So that's how they live, that's how it is, and if I were one of them, the so-called elite, I'd probably end up a drugged up, boozed-up mess." Why would that life be so bad? The main theme I found running throughout the film was one of despair, especially from the thoughtful and determined filmmaker himself, Jaime Johnson, heir to the the Johnson & Johnson throne. This kid is so honest in his searching, he even gets himself into a bit of legal trouble in the end (I won't ruin the rest of that tidbit for you). One thing that a viewer of modest income will be shocked to learn is that talking about one's wealth, among the fellow wealthy, at least, is taboo. Many of these kids learnt of their parents fortune through the outside world, and not from their parents themselves. I could even understand why some of these kids felt betrayed by this. What I think is disconcerting to most of these kids is that, coming into that knowledge of their own wealth, and whether they realize it or not, they were born without a certain something that every non-rich human on the planet has... that tension of survival, that struggle of having to work to survive, that struggle of knowing that all of our youth and most of our lives are literally wasted on working hard to gain money. The scary thing I thought of while watching this, is that not only is money power, but money is also freedom- and ultimately too much freedom can bring disaster.
The kids in this film are all interesting enough to listen to- they're talking about their "fabulous" lives after all. Most are shallow, mentioning how they have to have that Gucci purse, or those $600 shoes. But a few are thoughtful (Johnson, Ivanka Trump, and Josiah Hornblower, especially) and some downright angry (S.I. IV Newhouse). All said and done, this film is a good look into how these kids function, how they think, and how regardless of wealth, what kind of people they actually are. It goes without saying at the end of the day, if you can't live with yourself, then your life is utterly hopeless.
No, really. I felt a bit of sympathy and a bit of disgust (just listen to Luke Weil yakking about "little bitch[es]" who won't sign pre-nups) but my true reaction was one of, "Oh... So that's how they live, that's how it is, and if I were one of them, the so-called elite, I'd probably end up a drugged up, boozed-up mess." Why would that life be so bad? The main theme I found running throughout the film was one of despair, especially from the thoughtful and determined filmmaker himself, Jaime Johnson, heir to the the Johnson & Johnson throne. This kid is so honest in his searching, he even gets himself into a bit of legal trouble in the end (I won't ruin the rest of that tidbit for you). One thing that a viewer of modest income will be shocked to learn is that talking about one's wealth, among the fellow wealthy, at least, is taboo. Many of these kids learnt of their parents fortune through the outside world, and not from their parents themselves. I could even understand why some of these kids felt betrayed by this. What I think is disconcerting to most of these kids is that, coming into that knowledge of their own wealth, and whether they realize it or not, they were born without a certain something that every non-rich human on the planet has... that tension of survival, that struggle of having to work to survive, that struggle of knowing that all of our youth and most of our lives are literally wasted on working hard to gain money. The scary thing I thought of while watching this, is that not only is money power, but money is also freedom- and ultimately too much freedom can bring disaster.
The kids in this film are all interesting enough to listen to- they're talking about their "fabulous" lives after all. Most are shallow, mentioning how they have to have that Gucci purse, or those $600 shoes. But a few are thoughtful (Johnson, Ivanka Trump, and Josiah Hornblower, especially) and some downright angry (S.I. IV Newhouse). All said and done, this film is a good look into how these kids function, how they think, and how regardless of wealth, what kind of people they actually are. It goes without saying at the end of the day, if you can't live with yourself, then your life is utterly hopeless.
Born Rich. Aged Spoiled
ALeonhardt23 February 2013
The documentary Born Rich is an interesting analysis of how people are born into money. In this time of economic crisis, as many of us struggle to pay our bills on a regular basis, it is both interesting and maddening to hear about the problems of the super rich. There are certainly moments in this film where you realize that the absurd society in which these kids were born into has transformed them as they aged, and you feel bad for them.
They start out so innocent as they describe their childhoods, unaware of the massive wall that the upper class has built around them. And as they mature and grow into adulthood the money twists them and burns away all true moral value. And by the end of the film they are portrayed as snotty brats who complain that it's hard for them not to walk into a boutique in Hollywood and buy a $700 handbag. Or how the first two things they think of when entertaining the thought of marriage are: prenuptial agreement and divorce. Oh the challenges we face in life. It all makes for a sickening experience.
And the way they cling to their entitlement is quite interesting as well. One character in the film discusses going to college so that he can make something of himself. He talks about the day that he can rub his parents faces in the fact that he did something on his own and made something of himself. Which would mean something if he weren't attending an ivy- league school on his parents dime. The whole film reeks of self-gratifying posturing that these rich elitists immerse themselves in day after day. It is an interesting film however if you have the stomach for it.
-A. Leonhardt
They start out so innocent as they describe their childhoods, unaware of the massive wall that the upper class has built around them. And as they mature and grow into adulthood the money twists them and burns away all true moral value. And by the end of the film they are portrayed as snotty brats who complain that it's hard for them not to walk into a boutique in Hollywood and buy a $700 handbag. Or how the first two things they think of when entertaining the thought of marriage are: prenuptial agreement and divorce. Oh the challenges we face in life. It all makes for a sickening experience.
And the way they cling to their entitlement is quite interesting as well. One character in the film discusses going to college so that he can make something of himself. He talks about the day that he can rub his parents faces in the fact that he did something on his own and made something of himself. Which would mean something if he weren't attending an ivy- league school on his parents dime. The whole film reeks of self-gratifying posturing that these rich elitists immerse themselves in day after day. It is an interesting film however if you have the stomach for it.
-A. Leonhardt
Not Intended for Sympathy...
arson8324 November 2003
A lot of people are saying this movie tries to inspire sympathy for the rich - that is not the case.
It is one rich kid interviewing others. The Johnson + Johnson kid interviews the Trump kid, some Luke guy, and a bunch of others who inherited money from grandparents. They will never work a day in their life, unless they want to (one kid makes 50 G a year at his job). But their life isn't totally easy. But this isn't to inspire sympathy.
Overall, I'd say to give this thing a watch. I didn't wanna make this review too long or too dignified like others have done, I'm just saying that it's interesting to watch.
The only flaw is that if you don't catch it from the beginning, you won't know who everyone is because they don't tell you in the middle.
7/10.
It is one rich kid interviewing others. The Johnson + Johnson kid interviews the Trump kid, some Luke guy, and a bunch of others who inherited money from grandparents. They will never work a day in their life, unless they want to (one kid makes 50 G a year at his job). But their life isn't totally easy. But this isn't to inspire sympathy.
Overall, I'd say to give this thing a watch. I didn't wanna make this review too long or too dignified like others have done, I'm just saying that it's interesting to watch.
The only flaw is that if you don't catch it from the beginning, you won't know who everyone is because they don't tell you in the middle.
7/10.
Sort of interesting
Bry-228 October 2003
How the Other Half Lives, only not the "other half" Jacob Riis had in mind!
These spoiled brats routinely spend a thousand dollars or more on an evening's entertainment, won't date outside their social circle, and resent it when people imply they have no right to be unhappy.
Of course they can be unhappy. They just don't have a right to whine about it.
A moderately good film by "one of them," who may show promise as a documentarian -- but I'll leave that assessment to *real* documentarians! I found the film interesting in a superficial way, Jamie Johnson's technique was decent (but nothing he couldn't have bought). Not very original, but being the first look from the inside out at the lives of these kinds of people, it was informative in an "ohmigod, shut up and make another mil!"-kind of way.
These spoiled brats routinely spend a thousand dollars or more on an evening's entertainment, won't date outside their social circle, and resent it when people imply they have no right to be unhappy.
Of course they can be unhappy. They just don't have a right to whine about it.
A moderately good film by "one of them," who may show promise as a documentarian -- but I'll leave that assessment to *real* documentarians! I found the film interesting in a superficial way, Jamie Johnson's technique was decent (but nothing he couldn't have bought). Not very original, but being the first look from the inside out at the lives of these kinds of people, it was informative in an "ohmigod, shut up and make another mil!"-kind of way.
Insightful underneath it all
pcox10415 September 2014
Johnson & Johnson heir Jamie Johnson was born into an ultra-rich family and stands to inherit an enormous sum of money on his 21st birthday. He is thus faced with the question: what does one do when one can do anything or nothing at all? Born Rich is (whether intentional or not) the result of Johnson looking up to his parents, down to his legacy, all around to his peers, and most importantly, within himself for the answer. If such introspection isn't hard enough for the common folk, it appears to be exceedingly difficult for the ultra-rich who habitually measure themselves by status rather than personal achievement.
Unavoidably guided by the weight of such measurement, Johnson gives us a glance at what everybody else is doing to answer that age-old question. No more than a glance is granted by the participants - other wealthy heirs and their parents - thanks to a deep sense of exclusivity and a hearty helping of insecurity prevalent within ultra-rich societies. But alas, no more than a glance is needed. With exceptions, their words and behaviors commonly reveal poor judgment and a unique lack of morality bred by a world in which moral dilemmas are handled by family attorneys. Perhaps that's why Jamie Johnson was sued to have one heir's appearance removed and waivers voided (it didn't work). By the end of it all, the movie-goer has passed out more letters of approval and condemnation to the parents and their children than he had come prepared to give. It is, no doubt, a movie which makes the viewer feel better about himself.
And yet, the question looms: what does one do with his life, when he doesn't have to do anything? Jamie Johnson seems to have found a spark. Despite the shortcomings of a first-time filmmaker, Johnson deserves more kudos than criticism for his work. One should applaud the intestinal fortitude to lift the veil - albeit a bit, but a coveted bit - on the lives of those born ultra-rich and the society in which they live, and also for making a legitimate effort to seek fulfillment and self-actualization in his life. In doing so, Johnson has actually accomplished something. He has overcome an often troublesome sense of life which deceptively presents itself as a mere dare to ultra-rich individuals who don't have to do anything if they don't so desire.
Unavoidably guided by the weight of such measurement, Johnson gives us a glance at what everybody else is doing to answer that age-old question. No more than a glance is granted by the participants - other wealthy heirs and their parents - thanks to a deep sense of exclusivity and a hearty helping of insecurity prevalent within ultra-rich societies. But alas, no more than a glance is needed. With exceptions, their words and behaviors commonly reveal poor judgment and a unique lack of morality bred by a world in which moral dilemmas are handled by family attorneys. Perhaps that's why Jamie Johnson was sued to have one heir's appearance removed and waivers voided (it didn't work). By the end of it all, the movie-goer has passed out more letters of approval and condemnation to the parents and their children than he had come prepared to give. It is, no doubt, a movie which makes the viewer feel better about himself.
And yet, the question looms: what does one do with his life, when he doesn't have to do anything? Jamie Johnson seems to have found a spark. Despite the shortcomings of a first-time filmmaker, Johnson deserves more kudos than criticism for his work. One should applaud the intestinal fortitude to lift the veil - albeit a bit, but a coveted bit - on the lives of those born ultra-rich and the society in which they live, and also for making a legitimate effort to seek fulfillment and self-actualization in his life. In doing so, Johnson has actually accomplished something. He has overcome an often troublesome sense of life which deceptively presents itself as a mere dare to ultra-rich individuals who don't have to do anything if they don't so desire.
Very interesting & well-done documentary
wayne-219 February 2005
I have watched "Born Rich" several times, and I found it well done, and very informative. I am from a "middle-class" background, having been raised in the Washington, DC suburb of Fairfax, Virginia. I was not exposed to either extreme wealth or poverty. My parents divorced when I was nine, and I went into foster homes. My father died when I was 17, so I never had "excess" money. I had food every day, and a place to sleep, so I consider myself fortunate. This said, I find it hard to understand spending $600 on a purse. I don't have a problem spending money on nice things (I have had Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and I want to get another, when I can figure out how to pay for it now), it is the mentality of spending a lot of money just "because" it is a lot of money that I don't understand. The character of Karen on "Will & Grace" comes to mind.
I found Jamie Johnson very likable, and I'd like to talk to him sometime. He intrigued me, and I'd like to know what he has been doing since he made "Born Rich".
I found Jamie Johnson very likable, and I'd like to talk to him sometime. He intrigued me, and I'd like to know what he has been doing since he made "Born Rich".
I thought it was interesting
lipjaggr30 October 2003
I knew when I got to this site there would be the typical backlash of jealousy. I'm way poor next to the subjects of this documentary, but they are human beings and not "the other half" by any means. They are actually a minority and do have a hard time relating to the majority and I think not only is that fine to address, it's fine to address no matter which side of it you are on. Free speech and all that good stuff.
I thought it was a good first timer for Johnson, it was original and he worked with what he knows. I would have liked it to be a bit longer with some more in-depth questions, but I think there were some unforeseen circumstances preventing that. Regardless, for such a young age he did pretty good and I think as he gets past his own guilt/fear/confusion about his wealth, he'll do even better next time. Money doesn't buy intelligence(look at G.W. Bush) and Johnson clearly is a smart guy in many ways for his age. He's interesting and I think if you did really think about what life is like for him and the others in the film, you'd see it took some guts to do a documentary like this.
I thought it was a good first timer for Johnson, it was original and he worked with what he knows. I would have liked it to be a bit longer with some more in-depth questions, but I think there were some unforeseen circumstances preventing that. Regardless, for such a young age he did pretty good and I think as he gets past his own guilt/fear/confusion about his wealth, he'll do even better next time. Money doesn't buy intelligence(look at G.W. Bush) and Johnson clearly is a smart guy in many ways for his age. He's interesting and I think if you did really think about what life is like for him and the others in the film, you'd see it took some guts to do a documentary like this.
Heir heads
leychica13 October 2006
It is well-known that those with money do not ever speak of money--theirs or anyone else's. Jamie Johnson admirably shattered this longstanding taboo, despite pleas from his own father and lawyer not to make the film, and discovered the hard way what happens when the secrecy curtain is lifted from the uber-wealthy. "Born Rich" is ostensibly Johnson's way of finding normalcy, whatever that may mean to those born into wealth; unfortunately, he was ostracized from the Gen-X upper class for turning a mirror onto the real lives of his blue-blood friends.
The most fascinating part of Born Rich isn't what is seen on camera, but what took place offscreen. Luke Weil sued Johnson to have his footage cut from the film, claiming that he--an Ivy-league-educated adult--was tricked into signing a release. Weil's lawsuit was thrown out, and it is now apparent to the world why he didn't want his footage seen. Among other gems, Weil tells the interviewer that any woman who wouldn't sign a pre-nup is "an ungrateful little bitch," brags of coasting through Brown University without attending class, and how he would taunt classmates with "I can buy your family."
Sadly, Weil is not even the most odious of the film's assembled characters. That distinction belongs to Carlo von Zeitschel, a minor European royal who claims to be a descendant of Kaiser Wilhelm II (strangely, his name does not appear in the Kaiser's family tree). With his chain-smoking and foreign flippancy, he sneers "I have no intention of being loyal to any woman anytime soon, not that I probably ever will be... One day I'll fall in love and I'll get married, whatever. I'll probably get divorced a couple of years later." (In the DVD's deleted scenes, he dismisses his American peers as "so cheesy, they're like the f*cking Brady Bunch.")
Weil's and von Zeitschel's contributions to the film are embarrassing to watch, and epitomize everything that is wrong with inherited wealth. The other heirs in the film do not fare much better: Stephanie Erklentz quit her job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch so she could spend her days shopping and sipping Bellinis with her friends. Cody Franchetti is an Italian textile heir who works as a model because he doesn't want a "real job." Juliet Hartford fancies herself a starving artist (minus the starving part) who, when asked what she would do with a million dollars in cash, says "I'd give it to the homeless," then bursts out laughing and spurts, "Just kidding!"
However, these vignettes also speak volumes about the sense of narcissistic confusion that stems from having enormous wealth handed down without integrity or values. The real problem with some of these kids is poor parenting, not excess. It is very clear that well-rounded, responsible adults come from proper mentoring, not undeserved wealth or social status.
And despite soundbites like these, Johnson manages to make you feel sorry for his subjects; despite their grossly excessive lifestyles, their wealth is tremendously isolating. These children are locked in their own private world, surrounded only by others like them. They have been trained to never socialize or date outside the upper crust, and while most attended college, their trust funds give them no incentive to make a meaningful contribution to the working world, and no mentors to provide guidance. (When Johnson asks his emotionally-detached father for career advice, he is vaguely advised to become a collector of historical maps.) He goes to great lengths to show the perils of having too much money, using his grandfather's messy life as an example.
The bright spot of "Born Rich" is Ivanka Trump, who is witty and articulate, and balks at the notion that the rich have no problems. She, along with S.I. Newhouse IV and Josiah Hornblower, appear to be the most well-adjusted of the bunch. They have contemplated the bizarreness of their lives, and seem to be aware of the trappings of decadence and materialism. (Newhouse chose to live in a shared college dorm instead of his father's plush Manhattan penthouse.) These three have no pretenses: they are just young adults with big bank accounts and huge legacies to fulfill.
The film is very short - barely over an hour - and Johnson doesn't attempt to delve into the more meaty issues characterizing the class war. He simply turns the camera on his friends, and allows them to expose the classism on their own. Some seem refreshingly average, others troubled, others spoiled, arrogant and mean. But they are all human, and face the same struggle for self-identity as anyone else.
This is why it is extremely important to remain thoughtful and open-minded while watching, and not to categorize all super-rich as "elitist snobs," or naysayers of the rich as "jealous." If you have such pre-formed opinions, you will find little here to change your mind or encourage you to think deeper. Still, every viewer will have a strong reaction to the film in some way, because inherited wealth is at odds with the capitalist principle of worth by way of achievement. That idea will undoubtedly rankle you, regardless of sympathies.
It took enormous chutzpah for Johnson to make this film. Though it is unlikely to change high society's hush-hush attitudes about wealth, or the public's reaction to class clash, this film is a daring experiment and (hopefully) a promising start to a great film-making career.
The most fascinating part of Born Rich isn't what is seen on camera, but what took place offscreen. Luke Weil sued Johnson to have his footage cut from the film, claiming that he--an Ivy-league-educated adult--was tricked into signing a release. Weil's lawsuit was thrown out, and it is now apparent to the world why he didn't want his footage seen. Among other gems, Weil tells the interviewer that any woman who wouldn't sign a pre-nup is "an ungrateful little bitch," brags of coasting through Brown University without attending class, and how he would taunt classmates with "I can buy your family."
Sadly, Weil is not even the most odious of the film's assembled characters. That distinction belongs to Carlo von Zeitschel, a minor European royal who claims to be a descendant of Kaiser Wilhelm II (strangely, his name does not appear in the Kaiser's family tree). With his chain-smoking and foreign flippancy, he sneers "I have no intention of being loyal to any woman anytime soon, not that I probably ever will be... One day I'll fall in love and I'll get married, whatever. I'll probably get divorced a couple of years later." (In the DVD's deleted scenes, he dismisses his American peers as "so cheesy, they're like the f*cking Brady Bunch.")
Weil's and von Zeitschel's contributions to the film are embarrassing to watch, and epitomize everything that is wrong with inherited wealth. The other heirs in the film do not fare much better: Stephanie Erklentz quit her job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch so she could spend her days shopping and sipping Bellinis with her friends. Cody Franchetti is an Italian textile heir who works as a model because he doesn't want a "real job." Juliet Hartford fancies herself a starving artist (minus the starving part) who, when asked what she would do with a million dollars in cash, says "I'd give it to the homeless," then bursts out laughing and spurts, "Just kidding!"
However, these vignettes also speak volumes about the sense of narcissistic confusion that stems from having enormous wealth handed down without integrity or values. The real problem with some of these kids is poor parenting, not excess. It is very clear that well-rounded, responsible adults come from proper mentoring, not undeserved wealth or social status.
And despite soundbites like these, Johnson manages to make you feel sorry for his subjects; despite their grossly excessive lifestyles, their wealth is tremendously isolating. These children are locked in their own private world, surrounded only by others like them. They have been trained to never socialize or date outside the upper crust, and while most attended college, their trust funds give them no incentive to make a meaningful contribution to the working world, and no mentors to provide guidance. (When Johnson asks his emotionally-detached father for career advice, he is vaguely advised to become a collector of historical maps.) He goes to great lengths to show the perils of having too much money, using his grandfather's messy life as an example.
The bright spot of "Born Rich" is Ivanka Trump, who is witty and articulate, and balks at the notion that the rich have no problems. She, along with S.I. Newhouse IV and Josiah Hornblower, appear to be the most well-adjusted of the bunch. They have contemplated the bizarreness of their lives, and seem to be aware of the trappings of decadence and materialism. (Newhouse chose to live in a shared college dorm instead of his father's plush Manhattan penthouse.) These three have no pretenses: they are just young adults with big bank accounts and huge legacies to fulfill.
The film is very short - barely over an hour - and Johnson doesn't attempt to delve into the more meaty issues characterizing the class war. He simply turns the camera on his friends, and allows them to expose the classism on their own. Some seem refreshingly average, others troubled, others spoiled, arrogant and mean. But they are all human, and face the same struggle for self-identity as anyone else.
This is why it is extremely important to remain thoughtful and open-minded while watching, and not to categorize all super-rich as "elitist snobs," or naysayers of the rich as "jealous." If you have such pre-formed opinions, you will find little here to change your mind or encourage you to think deeper. Still, every viewer will have a strong reaction to the film in some way, because inherited wealth is at odds with the capitalist principle of worth by way of achievement. That idea will undoubtedly rankle you, regardless of sympathies.
It took enormous chutzpah for Johnson to make this film. Though it is unlikely to change high society's hush-hush attitudes about wealth, or the public's reaction to class clash, this film is a daring experiment and (hopefully) a promising start to a great film-making career.
Thought Provoking About the Privileged
seira1995 August 2007
I watched this last night and wake up thinking about it so I conclude it was thought provoking, though I think it could have gone deeper. On the other hand, maybe the rich inheritors who were interviewed went as deep as they could! These are people who have the status that millions of us try to get each day as we shell out our hard earned bucks for lottery tickets. I believe we have to be somehow entitled to our karmic destinies, otherwise it would be impossible to justify why some people are born as natural lottery winners and others need 3 jobs just to pay the rent.
The one burning question I have after seeing BORN RICH is Where is Paris Hilton? Was she purposely omitted from this or did she decline? I would have been interested in getting the most famous heiress's take on being born rich.
The one burning question I have after seeing BORN RICH is Where is Paris Hilton? Was she purposely omitted from this or did she decline? I would have been interested in getting the most famous heiress's take on being born rich.
Torture
brat9311122 January 2011
This was a subject that sounded so intriguing at first, but would have been better had a 'professional' come in from the outside and filmed a documentary, not Jamie Johnson who made what looks like a first year film students piece of work. His voice is torture to listen to and of course being the maker he has to narrate it...
There was no one I found interesting in the slightest bit here because it felt like the heirs were in control telling the story. Again, someone from the outside should have come in to really get a sense of what effects being born rich has on them.
Waste of time, this documentary. A real piece of crap.
There was no one I found interesting in the slightest bit here because it felt like the heirs were in control telling the story. Again, someone from the outside should have come in to really get a sense of what effects being born rich has on them.
Waste of time, this documentary. A real piece of crap.
Impressive Effort
fineanimal21 November 2004
If you lean toward the extreme beliefs that the super-rich are either inherently shallow and evil, or they earned their wealth fair and square precisely because they are the greatest among us, your opinion of this film is already pre-determined, and you should probably not waste your time watching it even though the subjects under consideration only inherited their wealth.
For thoughtful people, however, I cannot recommend this film highly enough. Jamie Johnson deserves so much credit for being a young man of privilege who dares to think about what his good fortune really means, much like the rest of humanity is forced to think daily about what their poverty and debt really means. Frankly, I never would have expected such an even-handed treatment of the subject from "one of them".
The biggest barrier to learning how the super-rich really think is access. To gain access you must either be one of them, which usually precludes talking about money publicly, or you must be a member of the mainstream media, which only offers favorably-edited, politically-correct glimpses of reality (otherwise the media too would lose their access). Johnson has produced an essential work here by bridging the gap and allowing the rest of the world to witness, largely unedited, the way in which these extremely wealthy young people view their own fortunes. I can only hope the day will come when older generations among the super-rich will agree to be similarly interviewed, although I suspect we will all be deeply saddened by what they have to say.
Just like on skid row, a few of the young people here (especially Johnson himself) seem above average in terms of humanity, most of them are just average, and the remaining few seem to be useless wastes of human flesh that would bring shame to any family, rich or poor. That's pretty much the same bell curve you'll find in any other social strata of society, proving once again that money is ultimately irrelevant except to those who are obsessed by it.
Much has been written here about Luke Weill's contribution to the film, which I found simply embarrassing to watch. If he is the ambassador of our species when the gray aliens finally land, I won't even argue with their decision to wipe humanity off the face of the earth without a trial. He makes a great case that there is nothing wrong with extraordinary wealth, but everything wrong with inherited wealth. Most important, Weill proves that whether you are rich or poor, the quality of the person become is your own choice. I've seen little whiners like that come from plenty of poor families, so his disturbing behavior has nothing to do with his family's wealth. The gene pool in the Hamptons seems as muddy as it is everywhere else in the world.
But it is Juliet Hartford who deserves the contempt award here for her answer to the question of what she'd do with a million dollars cash. Laughing at the homeless? I've worked with the homeless for years, and most of them are far superior in character and personality to Ms. Hartford (and from what I can tell, the homeless are more talented as well). Thank God she is locked in her own zoo, surrounded only by her own kind. I hate to think of how much damage a woman like this could cause in the real world, where real people live.
Surprisingly, Ivanka Trump comes across as fairly down-to-earth. Ordinarily I would argue with a billionaire's decision to use that money to simply build more ugly concrete and steel, when she has so much potential to build a better world instead. But at least she justifies her ambitions with a genuine interest in real estate development ("it's in our blood"). That's better than nothing.
The only "sympathy" I can feel for these kids is the fact that they have been deprived of reality all their lives, and I don't see any way they'll ever experience that. They are so terrified of dating outside their own circles despite the incredibly boring people they have to choose from, I can't see them ever making a truly meaningful connection with the masses that define their own species. Concepts such as honor, sacrifice, and simplicity seem to be completely foreign to them. Their parents really stole a lot from them, and it's a shame they don't recognize this and forsake their wealth for a better life. After all, they can always earn their own fortune later--it'd be as easy for them as it is for the rest of us, right?
For thoughtful people, however, I cannot recommend this film highly enough. Jamie Johnson deserves so much credit for being a young man of privilege who dares to think about what his good fortune really means, much like the rest of humanity is forced to think daily about what their poverty and debt really means. Frankly, I never would have expected such an even-handed treatment of the subject from "one of them".
The biggest barrier to learning how the super-rich really think is access. To gain access you must either be one of them, which usually precludes talking about money publicly, or you must be a member of the mainstream media, which only offers favorably-edited, politically-correct glimpses of reality (otherwise the media too would lose their access). Johnson has produced an essential work here by bridging the gap and allowing the rest of the world to witness, largely unedited, the way in which these extremely wealthy young people view their own fortunes. I can only hope the day will come when older generations among the super-rich will agree to be similarly interviewed, although I suspect we will all be deeply saddened by what they have to say.
Just like on skid row, a few of the young people here (especially Johnson himself) seem above average in terms of humanity, most of them are just average, and the remaining few seem to be useless wastes of human flesh that would bring shame to any family, rich or poor. That's pretty much the same bell curve you'll find in any other social strata of society, proving once again that money is ultimately irrelevant except to those who are obsessed by it.
Much has been written here about Luke Weill's contribution to the film, which I found simply embarrassing to watch. If he is the ambassador of our species when the gray aliens finally land, I won't even argue with their decision to wipe humanity off the face of the earth without a trial. He makes a great case that there is nothing wrong with extraordinary wealth, but everything wrong with inherited wealth. Most important, Weill proves that whether you are rich or poor, the quality of the person become is your own choice. I've seen little whiners like that come from plenty of poor families, so his disturbing behavior has nothing to do with his family's wealth. The gene pool in the Hamptons seems as muddy as it is everywhere else in the world.
But it is Juliet Hartford who deserves the contempt award here for her answer to the question of what she'd do with a million dollars cash. Laughing at the homeless? I've worked with the homeless for years, and most of them are far superior in character and personality to Ms. Hartford (and from what I can tell, the homeless are more talented as well). Thank God she is locked in her own zoo, surrounded only by her own kind. I hate to think of how much damage a woman like this could cause in the real world, where real people live.
Surprisingly, Ivanka Trump comes across as fairly down-to-earth. Ordinarily I would argue with a billionaire's decision to use that money to simply build more ugly concrete and steel, when she has so much potential to build a better world instead. But at least she justifies her ambitions with a genuine interest in real estate development ("it's in our blood"). That's better than nothing.
The only "sympathy" I can feel for these kids is the fact that they have been deprived of reality all their lives, and I don't see any way they'll ever experience that. They are so terrified of dating outside their own circles despite the incredibly boring people they have to choose from, I can't see them ever making a truly meaningful connection with the masses that define their own species. Concepts such as honor, sacrifice, and simplicity seem to be completely foreign to them. Their parents really stole a lot from them, and it's a shame they don't recognize this and forsake their wealth for a better life. After all, they can always earn their own fortune later--it'd be as easy for them as it is for the rest of us, right?
Great documentary
greenskreen6 January 2010
Just saw this film on DVD - several years after its release. Congratuations to Jamie Johnson for making the film and thank you to all the people who took part in it.
My take on this film is a bit different than other reviewers. What I saw was a group of young people seeking to find their way in the world - just like everyone else. Of course some of them said less mature things - because that is what young adults do. If you took a group of young people from a different socio-economic background or let's say a typical college campus, you would still hear a range of issues about money, thoughts, obsessions, indulgences, etc., and certainly not all would be wise and mature. People are often still finding and defining themselves when they are so young. Obviously money isn't a magic bullet to make life easy, sleep well, or solve all of one's problems - but it's fascinating that money DOES enable hiring lawyers to sue your young friend rather than working through underlying issues.
My final reflection on this film is that - if you live in the US - to realize that we are ALL like these kids. Just after seeing this movie, I happened to read a national geographic magazine describing insane poverty and desperation in a developing country ravaged by all sorts of problems. If you live in a western industrialized country, we are all so very wealthy compared to a lot of other people in the world in terms of how our income is many multiples of average salaries in other places. Should I splurge and buy a $3 coffee today? That is a week's salary in some countries. So, if you felt these kids are a bit sheltered from the reality that others may face, perhaps think again about the "norms" that we take for granted in our life. Thanks to Born Rich for addressing the tough, fascinating issue of money.
My take on this film is a bit different than other reviewers. What I saw was a group of young people seeking to find their way in the world - just like everyone else. Of course some of them said less mature things - because that is what young adults do. If you took a group of young people from a different socio-economic background or let's say a typical college campus, you would still hear a range of issues about money, thoughts, obsessions, indulgences, etc., and certainly not all would be wise and mature. People are often still finding and defining themselves when they are so young. Obviously money isn't a magic bullet to make life easy, sleep well, or solve all of one's problems - but it's fascinating that money DOES enable hiring lawyers to sue your young friend rather than working through underlying issues.
My final reflection on this film is that - if you live in the US - to realize that we are ALL like these kids. Just after seeing this movie, I happened to read a national geographic magazine describing insane poverty and desperation in a developing country ravaged by all sorts of problems. If you live in a western industrialized country, we are all so very wealthy compared to a lot of other people in the world in terms of how our income is many multiples of average salaries in other places. Should I splurge and buy a $3 coffee today? That is a week's salary in some countries. So, if you felt these kids are a bit sheltered from the reality that others may face, perhaps think again about the "norms" that we take for granted in our life. Thanks to Born Rich for addressing the tough, fascinating issue of money.
let down
djurrepower26 December 2021
I think they could have done so much more with the premise and connections they had. But overall I really missed the whole 'interview'. It feels more like the interviewees just ramble on their own accord. And no real questions are asked that would actually intrigue. So all in all, I was kinda left dissapointed. There were some interesting moments, but they were few and far between.
5/10: dissapoint.
5/10: dissapoint.
Compelling below the surface.
peedur19 November 2003
The supposedly inane problems of inherited wealth are reframed quite well in this film. I felt that there was an important contradiction made clear. America's 400 year old flight from Europe's monarchies and class systems is both long over and yet still taking place. I don't believe that this contradiction has anything to do with money.
Personal dignity is the prize at the end of the American dream. And yet dignity is far more elusive than we'd like to believe. This has a lot more to do with practical parenting and the real value that children have to their parents and how it's shown, NOT how much they spend or can spend on their children.
Americans have steadfastly (in principal) defined personal worth by personal achievement. Whether you began your days in humble circumstances or not, you can with effort, create the wealth and comfort for yourself and your family that you need. This is the American Idea. And yet this principal becomes mere theory for those whose lives are defined utterly by someone else's effort, often long before they were born.
The problems of these people are somewhat anachronistic to the rest of us. And also quietly disturbing because there is a wound that the American identity struggles with on the subject of wealth, power, history and privilege (royalty). Americans are both attracted to the glamor of privilege and repelled intellectually. Some part of our problem is universal; how to define personal value when those with power apparently don't need to worry about it. There is an important moment in the film where, in a candid remark, a young man describes a sense of pique he'd experienced where he had said to himself about someone he was annoyed with, "we could buy your family," and he believes it. This says volumes about the sense of narcissistic confusion that stems from an identity where basic values have not been passed down and personal dignity is not fought for. What more compelling is that the young man also seems to be aware of that fact.
A few of these people seem to be trying to reset their values to relate to the rest of us. This is a specifically American virtue and it separates them from the rest who have delusions of relevance bloated even more by this film's interest in their lives; they wouldn't be out of place in the courts of Europe a century ago.
A fascinating film.
Personal dignity is the prize at the end of the American dream. And yet dignity is far more elusive than we'd like to believe. This has a lot more to do with practical parenting and the real value that children have to their parents and how it's shown, NOT how much they spend or can spend on their children.
Americans have steadfastly (in principal) defined personal worth by personal achievement. Whether you began your days in humble circumstances or not, you can with effort, create the wealth and comfort for yourself and your family that you need. This is the American Idea. And yet this principal becomes mere theory for those whose lives are defined utterly by someone else's effort, often long before they were born.
The problems of these people are somewhat anachronistic to the rest of us. And also quietly disturbing because there is a wound that the American identity struggles with on the subject of wealth, power, history and privilege (royalty). Americans are both attracted to the glamor of privilege and repelled intellectually. Some part of our problem is universal; how to define personal value when those with power apparently don't need to worry about it. There is an important moment in the film where, in a candid remark, a young man describes a sense of pique he'd experienced where he had said to himself about someone he was annoyed with, "we could buy your family," and he believes it. This says volumes about the sense of narcissistic confusion that stems from an identity where basic values have not been passed down and personal dignity is not fought for. What more compelling is that the young man also seems to be aware of that fact.
A few of these people seem to be trying to reset their values to relate to the rest of us. This is a specifically American virtue and it separates them from the rest who have delusions of relevance bloated even more by this film's interest in their lives; they wouldn't be out of place in the courts of Europe a century ago.
A fascinating film.
Surprised...
sherxiong-624-4148204 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
When I was young, I've always imaged what it would be like to be rich and what I would do with all my money. Oh, the things I would buy and have! My life would be wonderful and complete! After watching Born Rich, I'm not so sure I want that anymore. I was surprised to see that these rich kids are just as troubled, if not more, than kids who are born from poor and average income families. What happened to them? For me, the only one who was normal was the only one, who admitted to having depression, Josiah Hornblower. During his college life, his parents took him out of school due to depression. I think that was the best decision that his parents have ever made for him! By him working side by side with normal, hardworking individuals, he was able to learn to connect himself to society and actually find meaning to his life. He found out that working hard made him feel good. He describes those years as the best years of his life. He was finally able to learn what life outside of being rich was like. He is the only one who is worthy of my respect, because although he is a millionaire and does not have to work, he has a job, just making about $50,000.00/yr. That shows me that money is not who or what he is all about. He is more than just a name (Vanderbilt/Whitney), he is an average human.
rich children and the dollars worth
mtubiolo20 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I found that with this film spite all to people being rich children with the money to do as they please kinda like the lawyer said they could sue him for the film if they want do to the irony in it all these people are so awkward about money that they probably wouldnt understand the price of a dollar if you had all the money in the world gifted to you you would waste it if you inherited it like these kids you would feel that much to be common if it was given to you over time you would have a plan for it but if you worked for it and kept working after you wouldn't waste it you wouldn't abuse it you would understand the value of what you have since the value of this money is what they don't understand to them a dollar is petty or to miniscule to be a fraction or percent it is nothing they can throw it away they talk about a normal night out being eight hundred dollars a night as a small bit for drinks WHAT! Who spends that much and brushes it off it is a waste and just ruins the idea of hard work and paying off why work if you got that much money to learn the value of the dollar and not waste thousand
Insider's View
jmvo15 May 2011
I heard about this movie and have been wanting to see it for quite a while. I actually date someone who, as he puts it, is a member of 'the lucky sperm club'. He is dating outside of his social class - don't tell the rest of them! This is a very revealing and true to life account. The stories I hear about these families and their 'lucky' offspring are unbelievable. First hand I can tell you that these kids are searching for meaning and purpose almost more than the rest of us are. Many of them struggle with having that much money and how to be responsible with it. Also, many of them were raised by nannies and sent to boarding school and crave a connection with their parents who never had time for them. They don't know how to trust or love someone. Money doesn't replace any of that. Mock them, feel sorry for them, envy them - whatever you want.....but they are real people. And some of them are quietly going about living meaningful, productive lives. But don't tell anyone they are dating outside of their social class!
Not quite what I anticipated, but well worth a watch.
Innsmouth_Apprentice8 November 2014
I expected Born Rich to be a slice of high society life, hopefully giving me some (potentially valuable) insight into the mechanics of the world of the very rich. It's not quite that, but I still watched this documentary with interest. Born Rich is basically a short catalog of faces+personalities of rich heirs talking about how they feel about being born into wealth. Most of these guys and gals are charming, fairly smart, and come off as decent. A couple are irritatingly superficial, but not on a grotesque level. Realistically, - and the creator Jaime Johnson (of Johnson & Johnson) strongly implies this in the beginning, - these people have to be relatively open and sincere to agree to participate in this film in the first place. Some of them are probably combining those qualities with the pragmatism of getting some publicity for own ends, but I personally think that digging around in motivation in order to try and measure the degree of someone's "selfishness" or "shrewdness" is, in this case, somewhat pointless, so never mind that.
Josiah Hornblower (a Vanderbilt heir) was the most fascinating person to watch, since he seemed to intensely ponder and struggle over the purpose of his own life, and life in general.
After you watch this, you'll want to check out an article published at MailOnline in October 2013 that looks at the heroes of the film 10 years later. It gives you more perspective on these people.
Director and writer Jaime Johnson says in that article: "I would have liked to have spent more time with each subject in the film, creating a more nuanced portrait of each of their lives."
I agree with his assessment in that deeper and more complex portrayals of the film's stars would have improved it.
Turns out Jaime Johnson also made the documentary "The One Percent", which might have more of the stuff that I was seeking from this one. Will watch it next. As for Born Rich - it's a solid 7/10, and an interesting gallery of characters.
Josiah Hornblower (a Vanderbilt heir) was the most fascinating person to watch, since he seemed to intensely ponder and struggle over the purpose of his own life, and life in general.
After you watch this, you'll want to check out an article published at MailOnline in October 2013 that looks at the heroes of the film 10 years later. It gives you more perspective on these people.
Director and writer Jaime Johnson says in that article: "I would have liked to have spent more time with each subject in the film, creating a more nuanced portrait of each of their lives."
I agree with his assessment in that deeper and more complex portrayals of the film's stars would have improved it.
Turns out Jaime Johnson also made the documentary "The One Percent", which might have more of the stuff that I was seeking from this one. Will watch it next. As for Born Rich - it's a solid 7/10, and an interesting gallery of characters.
Jamie Johnson may have found his purpose, good work.
tcmdesign23 November 2003
I avoided watching this film for some time confident it would be a self-indulgent piece of fluff that would grate on my working-class sensibilities. I was wrong. In my humble opinion, Jamie Johnson did a fine job of humanizing himself and his subjects in a way that ,for me, promoted compassion and understanding for persons "different" than myself. Any filmmaker that has the ability and the resources to promote understanding of persons different than ourselves has a talent that hopefully will not be wasted.
An documentary ahead of it's time on an old as wealth taboo.
cartesianthought24 December 2015
Born Rich was made in 2003, long before the fascination of rich people and dialogue on income inequality even began. This film is sure to bring up political controversy, but I don't even view it in a political sense: rather a human one. In the wide cast of wealthy heirs (of beautiful girls and awkward looking guys from New York City) interviewed, you get a different spectrum. All of them were spoiled rotten but some of them are respectful and others are arrogant and disdainful. Luke "I can buy your family" Weil is the obvious villain.
It turns out that most of them didn't even know they were rich until they turned 18, as money was a subject their parents were reluctant to talk about. Does money buy happiness? I guess you'll find out. But like Ivanka Trump said, wealthy people are still people and they - while having an easier life - feel pain just like everyone else. Jamie's directing skills in his debut aren't anything special and it sometimes looks like a homemade film. But the content itself is good and that's what matters.
It turns out that most of them didn't even know they were rich until they turned 18, as money was a subject their parents were reluctant to talk about. Does money buy happiness? I guess you'll find out. But like Ivanka Trump said, wealthy people are still people and they - while having an easier life - feel pain just like everyone else. Jamie's directing skills in his debut aren't anything special and it sometimes looks like a homemade film. But the content itself is good and that's what matters.
Informative on the topic
rcook-7246121 March 2018
Jamie Johnson was trying to make the point, that just because you have so much money does not mean you use it for things that aren't important. All the kids that were born into being rich don't like when none rich people ask about how much money they have. Ivanka Trump makes a comment about how because having famous parents she couldn't show any emotions after she found out about her parents divorce because of the amount of cameras surrounding her house. Vanderbelt's are one of the most richest families they but most of their money to creating of the grand central station. If you want to hear rich kids talk about themselves this movie is for you.
Worthwhile 75-minute investment
KarmaGold2 April 2005
For anyone fascinated with wealth of the inherited kind, this is a sweet treat. The profiles of dozen or so 18-23 year-olds is a bell curve of character and temperament, indulgence and insight. Most of these kids are pretty clear that they differ from the masses, and they use this to their advantage. Less clear is their genuine understanding of these differences, and an awareness of and/or search for meaning beyond money. Exceptions perhaps are Ivanka Trump and Josiah Hornblower: both come across as more grounded and substantial than their peers. Surprisingly, actual footage of over-consumption was spare; Johnson let his subjects' words, habits and surroundings convey this: big houses, expensive clothes; signature stores, $800 bar bills; exclusive schools.
There are some choice moments of men-behaving-badly that are worth mentioning: Weil's petulance (which competed with his arrogance) and his endearing use of the word "bitch" to describe a prospective mate spoke volumes about his character. Cody Franchettis' self-described appetite for "book-pussy-book" was a great map to his Codyworld.
The interaction between Johnson and his father was interesting but all too brief. Perhaps a good sequel to Born Rich would be Raised Rich, or how to parent a rich kid.
In all, this was 75-minutes well spent; in his search for a career, Jamie Johnson would do well to pursue film.
There are some choice moments of men-behaving-badly that are worth mentioning: Weil's petulance (which competed with his arrogance) and his endearing use of the word "bitch" to describe a prospective mate spoke volumes about his character. Cody Franchettis' self-described appetite for "book-pussy-book" was a great map to his Codyworld.
The interaction between Johnson and his father was interesting but all too brief. Perhaps a good sequel to Born Rich would be Raised Rich, or how to parent a rich kid.
In all, this was 75-minutes well spent; in his search for a career, Jamie Johnson would do well to pursue film.
Lacks perspective
briancarroll123416 May 2006
I liked this movie. You have a lot of super-wealthy, early 20's kids pondering the unique position they perceive themselves to be in, and considering questions about their family, and their future, and their place in society. The people in the film think their dilemmas are unique because of the magnitude of their wealth, but the problems of "what should I do with my life?" are really quite universal and have a broader appeal. These kids are essentially normal people, who just happen to find themselves with gobs of inherited wealth. What would you become in such a situation?
Having said that, I would argue that you, my reader, *are* in such a situation. If you're a first-world country resident reading this review over an Internet connection, you have more money than approximately 4 billion people. They would love to have the good fortune you take for granted. What you spend in a single trip to the store could feed a whole village of people. You could take your $30,000 in retirement savings right now to Vietnam (a country where 70+ million people live) and get by better than most without working another day in your life. In fact, this movie about the super-rich, is a movie about *you*.
So you should pay attention if you find this movie's subject's ruminations offensive or ignorant. For what they lack in perspective, is exactly what we all lack in perspective.
Having said that, I would argue that you, my reader, *are* in such a situation. If you're a first-world country resident reading this review over an Internet connection, you have more money than approximately 4 billion people. They would love to have the good fortune you take for granted. What you spend in a single trip to the store could feed a whole village of people. You could take your $30,000 in retirement savings right now to Vietnam (a country where 70+ million people live) and get by better than most without working another day in your life. In fact, this movie about the super-rich, is a movie about *you*.
So you should pay attention if you find this movie's subject's ruminations offensive or ignorant. For what they lack in perspective, is exactly what we all lack in perspective.
stereotyping clash(from a Middle Class Perspective)
justyceforall19 July 2004
This movie won't spoil the well of idealism from which you drink. It is interesting to see the things these kids are conditioned to perceive as stress. They handle most situations in a surprisingly humble manner. Especially the Trump and Johnson children. Regardless of social class, the children with the most parental bonding are consequently the most mature and responsible...i.e., Trump, Johnson. The best example of this is the fact that they respect and admire their parents, as opposed to resenting them and their efforts to bless them financially. Bottom line, parenting/mentoring makes well rounded, responsible children into adults. Not money or social status. Highly recommend.
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