The entire cast performed exceptionally well, but the poor writing and major plot issues made this film miss the mark. The directing was decent but also need better editing. Still an enjoyable film based on true events, but could have been much better. It's a 7/10 from me
80 Reviews
Nothing special but it is enjoyable
aldiboronti17 July 2018
This is based on a real-life case and was made before as a TV movie in the 80s with Judd Nelson starring. This has higher production values and can boast Kevin Spacey in the cast, although boast may be the wrong word these days. Still whatever else may be said of him he's a great actor and I always enjoy seeing him.
Not a bad little movie, I'd recommend it.
Not a bad little movie, I'd recommend it.
Well....
Prof6822 July 2018
From what I remember of the whole incident this is telling the story from a way different perspective. Hunt, in this case, is a sympathetic character which is a complete 180 from what happened in real life. The real Hunt was something of a borderline sociopath and, here, he's portrayed as a socially inept wannabe who gets swept up in events not of his making.
Good movie but very reminiscent of other films
tkaine317 July 2018
This movie doesn't take long to kick into gear and has a pretty fast pace. The acting is good and the music is retro pop giving you that late 80's early 90's fun disco vibe. But the movie is based on a true story and that adds to the storylines authenticity but young guys starting a investment firm and getting in over their heads is a story too commonly told. This story does however go further on the tragedy scale then other movies about broker's or investors but when you watch these films that cover this topic it's always like watching a slow train wreck and this feature is no different. I do think this movie has some entertainment value but just a little.
I give this film a fair rating which means it's something worth watching but only when you get some free time don't go cancelling any appointments this movie can wait.
I give this film a fair rating which means it's something worth watching but only when you get some free time don't go cancelling any appointments this movie can wait.
Enjoyable one-time watch. Also worth it for Spacey.
krismancini21 July 2018
Enjoyable one-time watch, for young people especially. It deals with important questions like how far do you bend your ethics to make a dollar?
There's also some good sales lessons from Kevin Spacey in this movie, i'll let you find those yourself. And Kevin's attachment to this movie really turned me on to it, he's still a great actor despite any allegations that are going on.
Recommended movie for a one-time viewing.
There's also some good sales lessons from Kevin Spacey in this movie, i'll let you find those yourself. And Kevin's attachment to this movie really turned me on to it, he's still a great actor despite any allegations that are going on.
Recommended movie for a one-time viewing.
The Most Dishonest Movie Adaptation Based on True Events. Ever.
jburtonprod-802-7590297 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie isn't a bad watch. It's entertaining and has good acting. The problem is it is based on real events surrounding a convicted murderer, his super-rich friends/partners and their Ponzi scheme. Almost everything about crimes has been changed to make the two main characters more sympathetic.
They treat the two murders as events that got out of control. If you ever watch a documentary on this you find both men were murdered in premeditated cold blood. The actual Joel Hunt is a text book sociopath, not just some kid that got in over his head. A movie that actually showed the ugliness of the events surrounding the BBC would've been much better.
I always wonder why people would want to make a movie based on actual events and then change almost all of the events to create something that never happened. It sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? If you want to know the TRUTH about the Billionaire Boys Club watch a documentary and skip this very dishonest film.
They treat the two murders as events that got out of control. If you ever watch a documentary on this you find both men were murdered in premeditated cold blood. The actual Joel Hunt is a text book sociopath, not just some kid that got in over his head. A movie that actually showed the ugliness of the events surrounding the BBC would've been much better.
I always wonder why people would want to make a movie based on actual events and then change almost all of the events to create something that never happened. It sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? If you want to know the TRUTH about the Billionaire Boys Club watch a documentary and skip this very dishonest film.
Enjoyable
Gordon-1118 July 2018
This story tells two young men who enters the upper class world and become ultra rich through dubious means.
The story is mesmerising. It captivates me throughout, because of several reasons. On one hand, it offers a dream of upward social mobility, which is appealing to watch. On the other hand, it is only a matter of time when the whole house of cards collapses. The two lead actors are charming and are very likable. I enjoyed watching this film.
The story is mesmerising. It captivates me throughout, because of several reasons. On one hand, it offers a dream of upward social mobility, which is appealing to watch. On the other hand, it is only a matter of time when the whole house of cards collapses. The two lead actors are charming and are very likable. I enjoyed watching this film.
The real story would have been much more interesting
boardy-551038 August 2018
Not a bad movie.
Acceptable acting, directing.
And even the writing was ok.
IF .. And it's a big IF.
IF the true story wasn't already so dam interesting.
The basically fictionalized account of what actually happened is soooooo far from the truth.
Find the documentary on YouTube if you want the truth.
Shameful remake
formationlc10 August 2018
Here is another take on the story of Joe Hunt (Joseph Gamsky) by Hollywood screenwriter airheads who think they can do whatever they fancy about a story and turn it into something completely different with no regards to the truth. I even wonder if the writers took time to read Sue Horton's book (The Billionaire Boys Club) and who worked for years to get all the right details to render the story as close to reality as it was possible.. Did they even see the first version of the movie made in 1987 which is based faithfully on that book? (The movie starred Judd Nelson who played Joe Hunt in a most magnificient way ) (Strange thing actually that Mr. Nelson accepted a part in this parody of the story).This movie shows Joe Hunt as an unsure young man, one who does not have a strong personality and therefore who can barely influence anyone, much less in investing huge sums of money. The movie shows Joe Gamsky as a victim and Dean Karny being "the brain" behind everything when actually it was the other way around.
I agree that all the facts (or just about) are in the movie but everything is so twisted around that I had the feeling I was watching an entirely different story. Bottom line is the movie is a huge deception which is too bad because the young actors in it are talented .
But if you want to be entertained or at least have an idea of how things went down, I strongly suggest that you watch the 1987 version (longer, better and so much more accurate!)
I agree that all the facts (or just about) are in the movie but everything is so twisted around that I had the feeling I was watching an entirely different story. Bottom line is the movie is a huge deception which is too bad because the young actors in it are talented .
But if you want to be entertained or at least have an idea of how things went down, I strongly suggest that you watch the 1987 version (longer, better and so much more accurate!)
Good story, but needed more
itsmecolec22 July 2018
This story was very well told, and it carried through all what happened and the acting was awesome, but it could of had more to it and more detail to the story instead of just like oh let's just get it over with and finish the story!
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is...
eileen-guthrie55517 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I've read every book written about Joe "Gamsky" Hunt, Ron Levin and the Billionaire Boys Club. I cannot believe this movie is portraying the character of Joe Hunt as clueless and sympathetic, when he deserves neither. There wasn't much difference between Joe Hunt and Ron Levin as they were both con men running a Ponzi scheme, only Levin used Joe and the BBC to pull off his scheme against another man who had invested his money in Levin's investment account. It was the same thing he did when he invested $5 million into the BBC that was contingent on using Levin's investment account at Clayton Brokerage Company, where he controlled the money. They make Dean Karney the bad guy in this version, when he was just a pawn in Hunt's scheme.
The mini-series from 1987 was much better, as the bulk of the story is told in flashback in accordance with testimony of various witnesses at Hunt's murder trial. Most of the testimony comes from Hunt's closet colleague and accomplice, Dean Karney who was offered immunity in exchange for his testimony. As the story of fraud, greed, kidnapping, and murder unravels, it is unusual how lightly those other than Joe (who naturally behaves with such cruelty) reacts knowing all the crimes they've committed. A murder here and there, but they can still have such good times at a birthday party. And what's even more disgusting is how the defense team for Joe Hunt tried to write off everything as immature gimmicks, simply stating that Hunt was innocent despite the large number of witnesses testifying against him and the vast paperwork trails that reinforce his guilt. If that was the actual closing arguments offered by the defense, my only guess was it was a last hope that Hunt could get off. And what is even more laughable is how brazen Hunt was about absolutely everything. He is not a sympathetic character in any light. Neither are too many others in the BBC, except for the three responsible for setting off the case that eventually brought down Joe Hunt. And what is much more sickening than that Joe Hunt wasn't the first and isn't the last in the game of greed and ambition.
Joe Hunt is a malignant narcissist and sociopath, who used people to get what he wanted and needed.
This mini-series has held up well over the 30 plus years, particularly in sync when this crime occurred. The director of the mini-series, Marvin J. Chomsky never disappoints, an excellent director of his day and I wish he would teach this new generation how to direct a strong true story in this current era. This true story was poorly miscast from everyone.
Judd Nelson was excellent as the original Joe Hunt, certainly not this panty waste Ansel Elgort in this true story about greed and murder amongst the rich and privileged of Los Angeles. He has this perpetual look of a deer in the headlights look and showed none of the real Joe Hunts natural persuasiveness, charm and charisma that drew these young men into the lion's den. I saw none of that in Ansel Elgort's performance. I was disappointed in Kevin Spacey's performance of who Ron Levin was this sleazy con man, Ron Silver did a better job at portraying who the real Levin was.
Joe Hunt came from a poor family and was considered by his former "privileged" classmates as being nerdy, unpopular, and a scholarship kid. After college, Joe became reacquainted with some of his rich former classmates through Dean Karney. He convinced this group of guys that he was an expert in commodities trading and he had a "risk free" strategy that would produce big returns. The guys were very impressed, so they gave Joe all of their inheritances to invest in the commodities markets. But instead of investing the money, Joe used their money to rent office space and hire employees for his new company, the Billionaire Boys Club.
Joe scammed money from wealthy businessmen, spent some of the money to maintain his lavish lifestyle and the rest he lost in the commodities market. And to keep his investors from getting suspicious, Joe mailed out fake statements that showed a small profit but eventually the investors started asking for their money back. Joe was desperate to find new investors.
Joe met Ron Levin, who was a wealthy businessman and con-artist himself. He was hoping to scam Ron Levin out of enough money that he could bail out the BBC. But as it turned out Ron scammed Joe. Joe was furious and decided to kill Ron Levin. Joe's biggest mistake was leaving a hand written 7 page "to-do list" at Ron's house, that was left in a garbage can. The police found this list and later used it in court. The prosecutor proclaimed, "It's a recipe for murder". The question is whether this is the sincere act of a changed man or just another con job by a master manipulator, which is what prosecutors and law enforcement officials believe.
In Joe's continual pursuit for more cash, a plot was hatched to kidnap Hedayat Eslaminia, a rich former Iranian official and hold him for ransom. This plot didn't work either and Joe was losing control over the guys. Two of the guys secretly went to the police and this led to the end of the BBC. Hedayat Eslaminia was a political insider to the brutality of the Shah of Iran. When the Shah left Iran, insiders like Hedayat Eslaminia had their assets frozen, so there was no real money for him to invest in. Joe's second trial for the murder of Hedayat Eslaminia, where he represented himself was met with a hung jury and the LA County prosecutor chose not to retry this case.
If you want the true story and not this flimsy fairytale, please read these books: The Billionaire Boys Club by Sue Horton and The Price of Experience by Randall Sullivan. Or, watch the YouTube documentaries on Levin, Hunt and the BBC.
I will have to assume these writers and filmmakers are part of the movement to free Joe Hunt from prison based on habeas corpus, no body, no crime. He is certainly seeking to reduce his sentence to time served but, he is a dangerous sociopath. As one club member testified at his trial, Hunt told nine members after Levin vanished: "Don't worry. This was the perfect crime. They'll never find the body."These young men had forgotten that old adage... if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
I'll give this movie a 3 out of 10 and the original mini-series a 10 out of 10.
The mini-series from 1987 was much better, as the bulk of the story is told in flashback in accordance with testimony of various witnesses at Hunt's murder trial. Most of the testimony comes from Hunt's closet colleague and accomplice, Dean Karney who was offered immunity in exchange for his testimony. As the story of fraud, greed, kidnapping, and murder unravels, it is unusual how lightly those other than Joe (who naturally behaves with such cruelty) reacts knowing all the crimes they've committed. A murder here and there, but they can still have such good times at a birthday party. And what's even more disgusting is how the defense team for Joe Hunt tried to write off everything as immature gimmicks, simply stating that Hunt was innocent despite the large number of witnesses testifying against him and the vast paperwork trails that reinforce his guilt. If that was the actual closing arguments offered by the defense, my only guess was it was a last hope that Hunt could get off. And what is even more laughable is how brazen Hunt was about absolutely everything. He is not a sympathetic character in any light. Neither are too many others in the BBC, except for the three responsible for setting off the case that eventually brought down Joe Hunt. And what is much more sickening than that Joe Hunt wasn't the first and isn't the last in the game of greed and ambition.
Joe Hunt is a malignant narcissist and sociopath, who used people to get what he wanted and needed.
This mini-series has held up well over the 30 plus years, particularly in sync when this crime occurred. The director of the mini-series, Marvin J. Chomsky never disappoints, an excellent director of his day and I wish he would teach this new generation how to direct a strong true story in this current era. This true story was poorly miscast from everyone.
Judd Nelson was excellent as the original Joe Hunt, certainly not this panty waste Ansel Elgort in this true story about greed and murder amongst the rich and privileged of Los Angeles. He has this perpetual look of a deer in the headlights look and showed none of the real Joe Hunts natural persuasiveness, charm and charisma that drew these young men into the lion's den. I saw none of that in Ansel Elgort's performance. I was disappointed in Kevin Spacey's performance of who Ron Levin was this sleazy con man, Ron Silver did a better job at portraying who the real Levin was.
Joe Hunt came from a poor family and was considered by his former "privileged" classmates as being nerdy, unpopular, and a scholarship kid. After college, Joe became reacquainted with some of his rich former classmates through Dean Karney. He convinced this group of guys that he was an expert in commodities trading and he had a "risk free" strategy that would produce big returns. The guys were very impressed, so they gave Joe all of their inheritances to invest in the commodities markets. But instead of investing the money, Joe used their money to rent office space and hire employees for his new company, the Billionaire Boys Club.
Joe scammed money from wealthy businessmen, spent some of the money to maintain his lavish lifestyle and the rest he lost in the commodities market. And to keep his investors from getting suspicious, Joe mailed out fake statements that showed a small profit but eventually the investors started asking for their money back. Joe was desperate to find new investors.
Joe met Ron Levin, who was a wealthy businessman and con-artist himself. He was hoping to scam Ron Levin out of enough money that he could bail out the BBC. But as it turned out Ron scammed Joe. Joe was furious and decided to kill Ron Levin. Joe's biggest mistake was leaving a hand written 7 page "to-do list" at Ron's house, that was left in a garbage can. The police found this list and later used it in court. The prosecutor proclaimed, "It's a recipe for murder". The question is whether this is the sincere act of a changed man or just another con job by a master manipulator, which is what prosecutors and law enforcement officials believe.
In Joe's continual pursuit for more cash, a plot was hatched to kidnap Hedayat Eslaminia, a rich former Iranian official and hold him for ransom. This plot didn't work either and Joe was losing control over the guys. Two of the guys secretly went to the police and this led to the end of the BBC. Hedayat Eslaminia was a political insider to the brutality of the Shah of Iran. When the Shah left Iran, insiders like Hedayat Eslaminia had their assets frozen, so there was no real money for him to invest in. Joe's second trial for the murder of Hedayat Eslaminia, where he represented himself was met with a hung jury and the LA County prosecutor chose not to retry this case.
If you want the true story and not this flimsy fairytale, please read these books: The Billionaire Boys Club by Sue Horton and The Price of Experience by Randall Sullivan. Or, watch the YouTube documentaries on Levin, Hunt and the BBC.
I will have to assume these writers and filmmakers are part of the movement to free Joe Hunt from prison based on habeas corpus, no body, no crime. He is certainly seeking to reduce his sentence to time served but, he is a dangerous sociopath. As one club member testified at his trial, Hunt told nine members after Levin vanished: "Don't worry. This was the perfect crime. They'll never find the body."These young men had forgotten that old adage... if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
I'll give this movie a 3 out of 10 and the original mini-series a 10 out of 10.
Usual suspect feel
lyhendy20 August 2018
Not bad..
Darth_Osmosis29 July 2018
True story gone false
janetbhughesx8 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The first TV mini-series was so much better. This version has some (maybe even most) of the facts right, but leaves so much out and paints Joe Hunt as a poor guy who just lost his way among the ultra rich Beverly Hills boys club. In reality he is a con man and a murderer, who had a to do list that ran six pages on how to kill Ron Levin, who was himself a con man.
Joe is poor scholarship kid who's dad worked hard so he could attend the Harvard High School for (rich) Boys. He meets "Mean" Dean Karny there and Dean is his only friend. Fast forward and the 'boys' are in their mid twenties. Joe is brilliant and knows the market but can't break into the big league and Dean is not living up to his father's expectations when they run into each other at lunch and reconnect. Both are looking to prove themselves. Joe comes up with a philosophy that is in reality situational ethics writ large, and creates the BBC. It's a huge ponzy scheme. Enter the rest of the elite Beverly Hills boys they knew in school. None of these other characters are really fleshed out and in fact it is hard to tell then apart. Ron Levin, played by Spacey, is an older con man who works on a much higher level than Joe and Dean, and cons them, leaving them, and the rest of the BBC beyond broke. So Joe kills Ron, but in this version his bodyguard, who was the door man at Spago's, does the killing and Joe is bewildered and frightened. Like he didn't make a to do list. Joe and the bodyguard dump Ron's body, after pouring pool acid on his face, in a shallow grave in the foothills. Joe and Dean are still desperate and come up with a scheme to smuggle a "Persian" who's got oil money investes in diamonds into L.A. in a trunk. In this version, Dean kills him and they dump his body in the desert. They get Joe's dad to notarize a power of attorney for the Persian's son Izzy, who is Dean's friend. All three, along with Joe's dad, go to the bank to get the diamonds and split them. Joe even tells his dad he is going to pay everyone back. What a nice murderous guy. At the bank they are arrested because Joe's girlfriend turned them in. Mean Dean pins everything on Joe. Dean says Joe should have seen it coming.
In reality Ron's body is never found. But Joe is convicted of his murder anyway, even though he claims Ron is still alive. Dean turned states evidence and got immunity, and entered witness protection after the trial. No one was ever convicted of the other murder, and no one went to jail except Joe and the body guard Jim, who served all of 3 1/2 years. Joe is serving life. None of the Billionaire Boys were convicted, though they were all there when Joe made is to do list.
Joe is poor scholarship kid who's dad worked hard so he could attend the Harvard High School for (rich) Boys. He meets "Mean" Dean Karny there and Dean is his only friend. Fast forward and the 'boys' are in their mid twenties. Joe is brilliant and knows the market but can't break into the big league and Dean is not living up to his father's expectations when they run into each other at lunch and reconnect. Both are looking to prove themselves. Joe comes up with a philosophy that is in reality situational ethics writ large, and creates the BBC. It's a huge ponzy scheme. Enter the rest of the elite Beverly Hills boys they knew in school. None of these other characters are really fleshed out and in fact it is hard to tell then apart. Ron Levin, played by Spacey, is an older con man who works on a much higher level than Joe and Dean, and cons them, leaving them, and the rest of the BBC beyond broke. So Joe kills Ron, but in this version his bodyguard, who was the door man at Spago's, does the killing and Joe is bewildered and frightened. Like he didn't make a to do list. Joe and the bodyguard dump Ron's body, after pouring pool acid on his face, in a shallow grave in the foothills. Joe and Dean are still desperate and come up with a scheme to smuggle a "Persian" who's got oil money investes in diamonds into L.A. in a trunk. In this version, Dean kills him and they dump his body in the desert. They get Joe's dad to notarize a power of attorney for the Persian's son Izzy, who is Dean's friend. All three, along with Joe's dad, go to the bank to get the diamonds and split them. Joe even tells his dad he is going to pay everyone back. What a nice murderous guy. At the bank they are arrested because Joe's girlfriend turned them in. Mean Dean pins everything on Joe. Dean says Joe should have seen it coming.
In reality Ron's body is never found. But Joe is convicted of his murder anyway, even though he claims Ron is still alive. Dean turned states evidence and got immunity, and entered witness protection after the trial. No one was ever convicted of the other murder, and no one went to jail except Joe and the body guard Jim, who served all of 3 1/2 years. Joe is serving life. None of the Billionaire Boys were convicted, though they were all there when Joe made is to do list.
Very enjoyable & worth to watch
realluiz18 July 2018
You can't expect this movie like The Wolf of Wall Street but this movie is enjoyable and worth to watch . Run time is too short , but it cann't be disturbed . I like it but I want to be 2hr long . But 1 hour and 40 minutes still enough . Teenagers should watch this movie.
Massively okay
ishtiaquewwf23 July 2018
It's okay with both Ansel Elgort and Taron Egerton bringing in good performances but not their best and if you're looking to kill time definitely one to watch but not much rewatch value. As for the story it feels a little rushed and can get complicated but definitely interesting if you understand it.
a real grind to watch
SnoopyStyle23 August 2018
It's 1983 L.A. While hustling cars to a rich client, Dean Karny (Taron Egerton) runs into former classmate Joe Hunt (Ansel Elgort). Neither were in the inner circle of the privileged set in the private L.A. Harvard School for Boys. Dean is the schmoozer and Joe is the poor scholarship outsider. Joe is a struggling analyst promoting his gold scheme to his superiors and Dean suggests starting their own company BBC. Dean introduces Joe to corrupt trader Ron Levin (Kevin Spacey). Through lies and gumption, Joe is able to recruit their rich former classmates and they recruit their rich fathers. Soon they are operating a multi-million dollar Ponzie scheme. Joe falls for Sydney Evans (Emma Roberts). It's a dog eat dog world and it all comes crashing down.
This was a real grind to watch. The low box office return has been blamed on the inclusion of Spacey. He's not why this is a grind to watch. He plays a sleaze and he's a real life sleaze. He actually fits and his scenes work as such. It's Ansel Elgort or more specifically, making Joe Hunt the central protagonist that is hard to take. He is not a compelling character. He is frustrating at times especially when the movie tries to make him a sympathetic character. It is infuriating. The better protagonist is Dean. He's the hustler. He doesn't have illusions of right and wrong. This is essentially Wolf of Wall Street with Belfort being relegated to a side character. It also doesn't help that the movie starts out through Dean's eyes and then switches to Joe. As for the real story this is based on, I wasn't prepared. I was expecting a simple arrest for fraud but it devolves into so much more. I needed a warning. I needed a foreshadowing scene in the opening. After hearing about the ridiculous box office, I wanted to check this out. The movie may not be historically bad but it got what it deserved.
This was a real grind to watch. The low box office return has been blamed on the inclusion of Spacey. He's not why this is a grind to watch. He plays a sleaze and he's a real life sleaze. He actually fits and his scenes work as such. It's Ansel Elgort or more specifically, making Joe Hunt the central protagonist that is hard to take. He is not a compelling character. He is frustrating at times especially when the movie tries to make him a sympathetic character. It is infuriating. The better protagonist is Dean. He's the hustler. He doesn't have illusions of right and wrong. This is essentially Wolf of Wall Street with Belfort being relegated to a side character. It also doesn't help that the movie starts out through Dean's eyes and then switches to Joe. As for the real story this is based on, I wasn't prepared. I was expecting a simple arrest for fraud but it devolves into so much more. I needed a warning. I needed a foreshadowing scene in the opening. After hearing about the ridiculous box office, I wanted to check this out. The movie may not be historically bad but it got what it deserved.
The Script Writers Should be With The Main Character
bookwormgolf9 August 2018
This film is entertaining to watch, but real life value will elude you.
Based on a true story of two guys that get caught in a scam, it's fascinating to watch how they show the business world. It's declared greasy and image-heavy, with the shallow characters walking proof. They never develop in personality, the finale is horrendous, and the plot grows in a strange way. The action is amazing, and the story these two guys went through is spellbinding... But the film leans on it too much! Kevin Spacey plays his normal typecast, as an almost refreshing reminder of "21" and "Catch Me If You Can."
Overall, this movie is perfect to watch while cleaning the house. You'll pay attention in interest, but the flawed effort to tell a good story can't hide your dust on the railing.
Based on a true story of two guys that get caught in a scam, it's fascinating to watch how they show the business world. It's declared greasy and image-heavy, with the shallow characters walking proof. They never develop in personality, the finale is horrendous, and the plot grows in a strange way. The action is amazing, and the story these two guys went through is spellbinding... But the film leans on it too much! Kevin Spacey plays his normal typecast, as an almost refreshing reminder of "21" and "Catch Me If You Can."
Overall, this movie is perfect to watch while cleaning the house. You'll pay attention in interest, but the flawed effort to tell a good story can't hide your dust on the railing.
The Wolf of Wall Street... nooot
letsgamble9217 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Wooden dialogues which actors feel uncomfortable playing. Pace is too fast -main character overnight turn from miserable to Steve Jobs. You dont realize they've got rich, when they already broke. What is more, pyramid scheme which made them rich, is shown in least interesting possible way. High expectactions, turned down.
BTW. the scene where Kevin tells wealthies kids that their lifes will change in this moment... who wrote that?
Who would ever get rich doing an honest job? (especially in movies)
kaptenvideo-898758 August 2018
Glad to see that the studios have moved on from same-y YA (young adult) movies that dominated the cinemas for some 15 first years of current century.
It's not all something related to sci-fi anymore, we've had some good relationship dramas - "The Fault in Our Stars", "Wonder" -, and now there's a solid "greed is good" type drama in the form of "Billionaire Boys Club".
To be honest, it's a bit soulless and occasionally flatlining effort, but still very watchable, if only for the charm of leading men, Ansel Elgort (a revelation in 2017's "Baby Driver") and Taron Egerton (the "Kingsman" series).
There's also a deliciously nasty supporting turn from Kevin Spacey as modern version of Gordon Gecko. But let me clear - his performance, or the movie altogether, is not just a "Wall Street" lite kind of project. Both hold their own.
The project stands on its own feet and doesn't just borrow the "Wall Street" blueprint as countless greed dramas of the last 30 years.
James Cox, the director and one of two writers, is confident about how he wants to play it out - all dramatic tones, intense energy, lots of talking heads in close-up shots etc.
And it mostly succeeds... he just hasn't managed to dig out the most committed performances of his young stars. Which is not a surprise, considering the straightforward but shallow B-movie material they have had to work with.
It all would probably make a noteworthy teen drama series (or even the whole season) on TV, it's just that we've had lot of similar movies doing it better.
I didn't quite understand the ways the get-rich-quick boys earned their money - or pretended to do so. For most of the running time, it never is very clear, concentrating on their partying and boasting instead.
Maybe showing it this way is exactly the point of the story. Still, a bit more straightforward explaining would be nice.
Still, it's good for summer audience. There's enough captivating content to earn its place among top teen soap operas, if there is such a genre.
I had fun, even if I kind of wished it to be shorter by 15 to 20 minutes.
It's not all something related to sci-fi anymore, we've had some good relationship dramas - "The Fault in Our Stars", "Wonder" -, and now there's a solid "greed is good" type drama in the form of "Billionaire Boys Club".
To be honest, it's a bit soulless and occasionally flatlining effort, but still very watchable, if only for the charm of leading men, Ansel Elgort (a revelation in 2017's "Baby Driver") and Taron Egerton (the "Kingsman" series).
There's also a deliciously nasty supporting turn from Kevin Spacey as modern version of Gordon Gecko. But let me clear - his performance, or the movie altogether, is not just a "Wall Street" lite kind of project. Both hold their own.
The project stands on its own feet and doesn't just borrow the "Wall Street" blueprint as countless greed dramas of the last 30 years.
James Cox, the director and one of two writers, is confident about how he wants to play it out - all dramatic tones, intense energy, lots of talking heads in close-up shots etc.
And it mostly succeeds... he just hasn't managed to dig out the most committed performances of his young stars. Which is not a surprise, considering the straightforward but shallow B-movie material they have had to work with.
It all would probably make a noteworthy teen drama series (or even the whole season) on TV, it's just that we've had lot of similar movies doing it better.
I didn't quite understand the ways the get-rich-quick boys earned their money - or pretended to do so. For most of the running time, it never is very clear, concentrating on their partying and boasting instead.
Maybe showing it this way is exactly the point of the story. Still, a bit more straightforward explaining would be nice.
Still, it's good for summer audience. There's enough captivating content to earn its place among top teen soap operas, if there is such a genre.
I had fun, even if I kind of wished it to be shorter by 15 to 20 minutes.
really not recommending this movie
gutierrezfrankli24 November 2018
Everything in this movie was really bad, should've been called "joe and dean," or something else. There are members of the BBC and we don't know what their roles in the BBC or the movie. The original BBC is more informative. Here we have a bunch of kids doing drugs and partying. Ron Levin (Kevin Spacey) is a caricature, they did not care about the character. My advice to you is to watch the 1987 BBC with Judd Nelson, he is more charismatic, more edgy than Ansel Elgort Character.
Exceeded expectations
mmccrady20 April 2020
The story is now probably more actual than in those years
pkpera27 December 2018
It was all about greed, false priorities in life, deception ... - things which lead to worse things sooner or later. It was so in 80-es of 20th Century, and is so now. Except that maybe more people, more politicians are involved.
I really have no clue about story, the book, previous v. of movie, with same name. This was for moments pretty much messy, direction and editing seems a bit rushed. Acting was fine, luckily. There was lot of narration, what should explain things - when direction and editing failed in it :-)
Now, I must to comment one comment here - with title: Biggest mistake . Yeah, comment has one of biggest mistakes I ever seen - and I seen lot of it here. Was said in one moment words: Facebook and Google . Our wise comment writer considered that as huge anachronism. But that was narration, performed decades later :-) In any case, was not really good idea to came with it in this story.
All in all watchable, and Kevin Spacey still can act. Emma Roberts is still cute, and plays more and more serious roles. I don't know other actors, but can say that were good. Still in phase when watching badly directed movies . Maybe to look some Kubrick one ?
I really have no clue about story, the book, previous v. of movie, with same name. This was for moments pretty much messy, direction and editing seems a bit rushed. Acting was fine, luckily. There was lot of narration, what should explain things - when direction and editing failed in it :-)
Now, I must to comment one comment here - with title: Biggest mistake . Yeah, comment has one of biggest mistakes I ever seen - and I seen lot of it here. Was said in one moment words: Facebook and Google . Our wise comment writer considered that as huge anachronism. But that was narration, performed decades later :-) In any case, was not really good idea to came with it in this story.
All in all watchable, and Kevin Spacey still can act. Emma Roberts is still cute, and plays more and more serious roles. I don't know other actors, but can say that were good. Still in phase when watching badly directed movies . Maybe to look some Kubrick one ?
Failed To Hold My Attention
MeMyselfOnline19 July 2018
Considering this film's runtime is around 100 minutes it felt more like 4 hours.
I struggled to find any of the characters engaging or likeable, and so didn't feel invested in the story.
After about an hour (or what felt like three), my attention had waivered to the point I was on my phone looking up the real-life story behind the film.
Maybe it's just not my type of movie, so give it a go yourself by all means. For me, though, this was instantly forgettable.
I struggled to find any of the characters engaging or likeable, and so didn't feel invested in the story.
After about an hour (or what felt like three), my attention had waivered to the point I was on my phone looking up the real-life story behind the film.
Maybe it's just not my type of movie, so give it a go yourself by all means. For me, though, this was instantly forgettable.
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