In 2008, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) is an ex-con on the book-tour circuit talking about his lessons learned in prison and how much the global economy has changed (or in some cases, hasn't). His estranged daughter, Winnie (Carey Mulligan), is a liberal website editor who lives with her up-and-coming fiance, Wall Street trader Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf). After a rumor-driven financial crisis forces Jake's boss and mentor, Lou Zabel (Frank Langella), to sell his company at a devastating loss, Lou throws himself in front of a subway train, leaving Jake without a father figure and hungry for revenge. Jake seeks out Gordon for counsel, who "trades" information about who he thinks caused the firm's investment crisis -- and ultimately Lou's suicide -- for a chance to reunite with Winnie. Gordon tips off Jake that Bretton James (Josh Brolin), a powerful hedge-fund manager, is at the bottom of the Zabel fiasco, so Jake tries to orchestrate a father-daughter reunion. Jake ends up working for Bretton, whom he distrusts, and Winnie continues to alienate Gordon, until the subprime mortgage bubble bursts, causing all sorts of climactic changes.
Drama
2010
2 hr 13 min
54%
14+
PG-13
Starring
Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan
