Barbarians at the Gate
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Movie Reviews of Barbarians at the Gate
Movie Review: Enormously entertaining satire of corporate America
Summary: 4 Stars
This especially witty satire is one of the best movies about modern corporate attitudes ever made. It's based on the true story of the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco in the 1980s. While the filmmakers have naturally taken some artistic license, I think they capture the spirit of the event. In big business, they assert, given the choice between being greedy and doing the right thing, being greedy usually wins. This was especially true in this case because the bidding war that broke out drove the purchase price into the stratosphere. The company's stock, which had been trading in the $40 range was driven up to over $100. A whole lot of rich people got a whole lot richer.There are many things to enjoy about "Barbarians at the Gate", not the least of which is James Garner as F. Ross Johnson, the man who ran RJR. He is completely believable as a natural born salesman who rose to run one of the world's biggest corporations. His greed may be a turnoff, but his zest for living is infectious and charming. You can't help liking the guy. His nemesis in this high stakes game in the financier, Henry Kravis, played by Jonathon Pryce. It's a deliciously villainous role, and Pryce makes the most of it. Also of note is the great character actor Peter Riegert as Peter Cohen, Johnson's right-hand man in the deal.
I especially liked the movie's tone. It looks upon the goings on with an eye as jaundiced as the players themselves. It views them as overgrown boys fighting over a very big toy, but it does so with an amused, almost affection, flavor. The result is an enormously entertaining and very funny movie.
Movie Review: an addition to collection
Summary: 4 Stars
If you belong to the investment banking world, you definitely know the book was a legendary one though this made-for-TV movie wasn't as great. However, it can be a good addition to collection of any decent multi-media collection related to investing, finance, financiers, and business.
This movie did win Emmy and does have some merits. First, it's a good entertainer. Second, it was the background of executives involved was done well because it provided a perspective.
This movie is a classic reference in most of the classes on Strategic Corporate Management (bidding wars) or Corporate Governance in a business school. The tobacco company CEO decides to buy the company back and this results in a bidding war. Specifically, the historic incident depicted was done in an era when the Internet didn't exist. As a result, the Corporate Governance standards in United States of America were very shoddy, and at best, not serving to shareholders interests.
In my opinion, this movie will not classify as a 'great movie' category because of the treatment that the director gave it. The real deal-moment was over-simplified. I understand that it's not a documentary movie and hence, was dumbed down for the consumption of a wider audience.
Movie Review: An Entertaining Tool Applicable To Business.
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie, based on a true story, chronicles the sale of RJR Nabisco during an era when Mergers and Acquisitions were at an all time high. James Garner, in a brilliant performance, plays F. Ross Johnson, the CEO of RJR Nabisco who wants to take Nabisco private and be its majority owner.
The movie does a nice job explaining the financial aspects of a LBO(Leveraged Buyout) on such a basic level that anyone can understand. Throughout the film the storyline flows quickly, although at times certain scenes were a little canned and the satire a bit corny.
The backdrop of the movie is loaded with back and forth backstabbing, blatant greed, under the table dealing, and Jonathan Pryce's depiction of Henry Kravis, a Wall Street mover and shaker and corporate raider is outstanding.
Of course by no means this work supersedes the book, but nevertheless you may find the effort quite entertaining.
Over all, I really enjoyed this movie.
Movie Review: Perfectly timely now in '09, but forgotten
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of the films that put HBO Films on the map. It is absolutely relevant to today's financial crisis, but is set back in the '80's. It is the truth-based telling of one of the most crazy and out of control buy-outs in Wall Street history (until now, of course). A corporate drama-comedy, it is filled with both moments of intensity and hilarity. James Garner is truly entertaining as the foul, unmannered F Ross Johnson, and Jonathan Pryce skillfully understated as the refined Henry Kravis. Supporting cast including Fred Thompson and Peter Riegert are excellent and round out a full viewing experience.
WHY is this NOT getting airplay right now?! Buy it.
Movie Review: Great (and timely) must see movie
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an HBO-made movie I originally saw back when it came out. I recently thought about it, as we are experiencing similar corporate greed issues, but now which are affecting the entire world. I enjoyed it as much as I remember I did originally. And James Garner is outstanding! I wonder how long it will be before the next great, similar movie is made? Though this one will have to inject politics into it. Mmmm ... yummy!