Description

A comedy about a wall street corporate raider and his attempt to acquire an 81-year-old new england wire & cable company. He finds himself in the fight of his life against the company chief executive, his assistant and an attractive new york attorney who takes the attempted business conquest personally. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Another Meaning for the Phrase "Other People's Money"
A cute little romantic comedy, which DeVito surprisingly carries off very well as a male lead. The real surprise, however, is the honesty in the writing -- instead of the usual casting of corporate raider as archvillain, it FINALLY gets pointed out that Peck's character DOESN'T own the company -- he's just managing it for the stockholders (something most viewers don't seem to understand). A nice little clear insight into another facet of capitalism, on top of a cute romance, with a lot of snappy dialog. Well worth adding to your video collection, especially if you're a DeVito fan.

Realistic and thought provoking
Gregory Peck is an idealistic, passionate, and paternal entrepreneur who is about to lose a business that he and many who work for him put their lives and spirit into. Danny Davido is a corporate raider but not portrayed as a Gordon Gekko. His reason for taking over Peck's business is not so much slaughter than it is economics.

The crescendo to the movie comes in the two speeches before the company shareholders. The speeches punctuate what is more the reality in today's world. Corporate take-overs and liquidations are not simply a bunch of greedy business people enriching themselves at everyone else's expense. From an economic point of view New England Wire and Cable should be shut down. It's in a business that is outmoded by new technologies and its assets are worth more sold off for some other purpose. Rationally it makes no economic sense to continue such a business. The money from selling this failing business can be invested in a business that is viable and growing - this will help create new jobs and add growth to the economy. Of course the people that have worked at New England wire and cable will lose their jobs and Peck will lose his business.

What's refreshing about the movie is the writer didn't set up a straw man to argue either point view. Both sides present intelligent arguments from believable characters. The movie challenges us that what is rational is not always what feels good. An efficient and productive economy is one that has the ability to change, but there are costs - people get displaced.

Where the script fell short and where many in our society lose perspective is that while businesses may die out people are flexible. One's skills can be revamped and applied to more productive pursuits. Instead, however, the scriptwriters concoct a not so believable happy ending. Still, though Other People's Money is probably one of the most honest movies to come out of Hollywood on the topic of capitalism.

A film that will outlast many others
It's almost 2003 and there's still no DVD. It's about time.
Except, perhaps, for his opening monologue, DeVito doesn't put a foot wrong. However, if the film was missing any of it's essential elements (Jewison, DeVito or Miller) it would have fallen hard. As it is, it's thought provoking fun right through. (But it would be more fun on DVD.)

Provides a great return on invested capital...
Remember the good old 80s, when Ronald Reagan ruled the roost? The stock market was part of the zeitgeist at large, but in a pre-CNBC way; it was there in the news, but Mainstreet America wasn't as plugged into it then as she is today. Consider that stocks can be bought and sold over the web with the click of a mouse- being coddled by a broker was so old news, so old economy. Information is online in reams and ready to be accessed at a moment's notice, one didn't have to peruse a bunch of pulpy pages to figure out what the return-on-equity of Disney calculated to. It's against this backdrop that OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY finds itself, a competent and interesting piece of film which presents two sides to the hostile-takeover-and-subsequent-liquidation scenario.

Danny DeVito portrays the odious Lawrence Garfield, affectionately christened with the salubrious sobriquet "Larry The Liquidator." Garfield loves one thing better than his beloved doughnut pastries: woefully undervalued companies. When his computer screen filters out the latest hot prospect, New England Wire & Cable, his shark-like senses smell the blood immediately and he sets out for a meeting with its owner, Andrew Jorgenson, played to great curmudgeonly effect by Gregory Peck.

Jorgenson is a fatherly figure to his workers, respected and revered almost to the point of deification, one would imagine. When Garfield points out that his company's stock price is out of whack in relation to its book value, Jorgenson is staunch in his reply: get out, and take your Wall-Street greed with you. But everyone knows that the little guy isn't going to be cowed so easily; he's as feisty and fanatic as he is sly and devious. They know he'll find a way to bulldoze over Jorgenson and his twenty percent ownership.

Enter Penelope Ann Miller's character, Kate Sullivan, a firecracker counselor who is as sexy as she is intelligent. Sullivan is the estranged stepdaughter of Jorgenson; antagonistic though the pair is, she is nevertheless willing to help him keep his business out of the hands of Garfield. Only problem is, Garfield is having difficulty keeping his hands off Ms. Sullivan. As detestable as the situation is, she decides to exert a bit of sexual leverage over him to facilitate achievement of her goals. The film eventually climaxes with a raucous shareholder's meeting and a pernicious proxy fight.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY serves as an excellent cinematic snapshot of that specific period of time when buzzphrases like "trickle-down economics" and "Star Wars defense system" were constantly uttered in media outlets and watercoolers alike. It's not a film which relies on an overabundance of clever camera moves or convoluted plot devices; instead, it builds from a foundation of useful thespian techniques and dexterously crafted dialogue (the source for the screenplay is a stage production, so it is obvious why the lines would be so precise). DeVito, Miller, and Peck excel in their roles, making them come alive with a conservative approach; the viewer never feels as if he/she is being suffocated by cloying histrionics. The triangle formed by these three characters is a dynamic one, much more expanisve than its one hundred eighty degrees.

DeVito in particular requires a spotlight look; it isn't so much that he's invented any novel blueprints toward his discipline- instead, one realizes upon post-viewing analysis that he fit the part like the proverbial glove. Garfield's vitriolic, killer-instinct demeanor proved a suitable substrate for the actor to react with; in the end, a more than successful catalysis is the result. But it wasn't just the acerbic tendencies he gelled with. Garfield possesses a healthy quanta of vulnerability, as he is also a lonely loner, looking for love and companionship; DeVito triumphed with this aspect as well (think of his outing in THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN, with Billy Crystal). One strategy which would have added depth to the film would have been an ongoing voiceover for Garfield; his insights would have enriched the overall narrative and injected it with a unique energy.

The movie, above all, presents a balanced take on a fascinating issue: is the hostile corporate takeover an evil act? Although one could argue that a subtextual ideology is present- in fact, in many ways, the script can be considered a yuletide cautionary tale written by Dickens sans the spectral spirits- it can easily be dismissed; there is never a feeling that the viewer is being spoonfed one propaganda or another. The soliloquies rendered by Jorgenson and Garfield at the end form the killer application of the piece. They deliver two diverse, diametrically opposed filters on the same subject, and both participants challenge all of us to come up with a sane, informed opinion regarding it. Jorgenson isn't right necessarily, and neither is Garfield; as we begin to squint the lenses of our collective mental faculties, we see that the black and white sides of the arguments converge into a tenuous gradient of grays. Both are idealists, and perhaps it is accurate to say that whatever set of ideals fit the mitigating circumstances of the time will win out in the end.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY is a film worthy of attention. It won't change a person's life, certainly, but it will provide good entertainment value and an educational look at corporate dealings. Even in these post-80s times, it is still more than relevant; in fact, it will always be relevant. After all, every generation has its own Chrylser bailout, LTCM collapse, and Enron debacle; you can most definitely invest your money in that.

When Is It Coming Out On DVD?
This is one of my favorite movies. The plot is excellent and it's a great comedy. Danny DeVito suits that role perfect. I wish it was available on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Great Movie
I think Bogus is a great movie. I never saw it in the theater because I didn't like the title and I think obviously a lot of other people felt the same way I did about the title and didn't go see it for that, too. Albert (Haley Joel Osment) has to go live with his godmother, Harriet (Whoppi), that no one knew existed until Albert's mom was killed in a car accident. At first, Harriet doesn't like the idea of him coming to live with her and what seems to bother her most is that he is white and she's black. His mom's death was very sad for him and then going to live with some stranger in New York probably made everything worse. So Albert ends up metting an imaginary friend, Bogus, that no one can see but him. Even though I dont like the title, the movie makes up for it and everyone should go see it cause it is a great movie!

Bogus
Anyone who loved Haley Joel Osment in all his other roles will definitely love him in this! He's a little boy who loses his mother and ends up going to stay with his Godmother, Whoopie Goldberg, who normally is one of my Favorite Actress's, but in this movie I thought she was pretty cold hearted. Who could not love such a Sweet Little Boy. But thanks to Bogus, Gerard Depardieu, he changes her around to appreciate and love this wonderful and amazing boy. This is a movie that warms your heart, and makes you want to go and give your own children lots of love, or anyone else's. Haley Joel Osment once again gives a 5 Star Performance.

Bogus is, simply
a nice, sentimental family film. Worth watching.

FIRST OFF, THE PERSON WHO
says Whoopi didn't want the kid because he was white is a moron. Race had nothing to do with it, you complete cretin. She didn't want him because she didn't know how to deal with kids.
That being corrected, this film has its heavy-handed, corny and hammy moments, but it's truly touching and charming overall. Worth watching and yes, you probably will shed a tear or two, despite telling yourself you won't.

Childhood memories...
lol it's funny I was trying to figured out what the movie was called when the invisible friend slides under a women and says "eeuu cob webs"....lol wierd thata that movie comes out on DVD just as I try to remember it and finally found it. I loved the movie. not a big fan off Woopi but the boy and the friend are great ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Great Movie
I think Bogus is a great movie. I never saw it in the theater because I didn't like the title and I think obviously a lot of other people felt the same way I did about the title and didn't go see it for that, too. Albert (Haley Joel Osment) has to go live with his godmother, Harriet (Whoppi), that no one knew existed until Albert's mom was killed in a car accident. At first, Harriet doesn't like the idea of him coming to live with her and what seems to bother her most is that he is white and she's black. His mom's death was very sad for him and then going to live with some stranger in New York probably made everything worse. So Albert ends up metting an imaginary friend, Bogus, that no one can see but him. Even though I dont like the title, the movie makes up for it and everyone should go see it cause it is a great movie!

Bogus
Anyone who loved Haley Joel Osment in all his other roles will definitely love him in this! He's a little boy who loses his mother and ends up going to stay with his Godmother, Whoopie Goldberg, who normally is one of my Favorite Actress's, but in this movie I thought she was pretty cold hearted. Who could not love such a Sweet Little Boy. But thanks to Bogus, Gerard Depardieu, he changes her around to appreciate and love this wonderful and amazing boy. This is a movie that warms your heart, and makes you want to go and give your own children lots of love, or anyone else's. Haley Joel Osment once again gives a 5 Star Performance.

Bogus is, simply
a nice, sentimental family film. Worth watching.

FIRST OFF, THE PERSON WHO
says Whoopi didn't want the kid because he was white is a moron. Race had nothing to do with it, you complete cretin. She didn't want him because she didn't know how to deal with kids.
That being corrected, this film has its heavy-handed, corny and hammy moments, but it's truly touching and charming overall. Worth watching and yes, you probably will shed a tear or two, despite telling yourself you won't.

Childhood memories...
lol it's funny I was trying to figured out what the movie was called when the invisible friend slides under a women and says "eeuu cob webs"....lol wierd thata that movie comes out on DVD just as I try to remember it and finally found it. I loved the movie. not a big fan off Woopi but the boy and the friend are great ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Tips The Scales Of Justice
Norman Jewison's 1979 ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL is a satirical drama that looks at our judicial system. Lawyer Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino)is put under considerable pressure to defend a well liked judge (John Forsythe), against charges of beating and raping a young girl. The only problem is that Arthur knows he's guilty and doesn't want to defend him. The final courtroom scene in the film will leave you with quite an impression. There is also a wonderful performance from the legendary Lee Strasberg as Arthur's Grandfather. Character actor Jack Warden plays an eccentric judge, who thinks suicide is the only answer. The script is filled with a lot of good moments. It was written by Valerie Curtain and future RAINMAN director, Barry Levinson. Jewison gets Oscar an nominated performance from Pacino that is tops and is among his most notable.

The DVD has an o.k. audio commentary from the director and a few trailers as extras. This film is a must have for fans of Pacino. This is not your typical courtroom movie and will leave you with lots to think about. Viewers have the choice to see the film in either the widescreen or pan and scan formats. Recommended

Pacino shines in courtroom satire
Ever since watching the Godfather films I've been a huge Al Pacino fan. His amazing over-the-top performance in the courtroom scene at the end is what makes this unsympathetic look at our criminal justice system so memorable. However, I agree with other reviewers that the plot is slow at times & the movie wavers uncomfortably between comedy & drama. The humor is at times a little too forced & the disco music doesn't help. One of the things I really enjoyed was seeing the great Lee Strasberg play Pacino's grandfather. Remember Godfather Part 2 when Pacino had Strasberg "taken out"? I only wish they could've made more films together. The great cast also includes John Forsythe (who plays a TOTALLY unlikable villian), & Jack Warden, whose suicidal antics get annoying after a while. Of course, it's Pacino that makes this movie so entertaining & so watchable 25 years later. While it's no masterpiece I still highly recommend it to Al Pacino fans (& especially lawyers!).

Al Pacinio is GOD!
The movie over all was good. Nothing I would want to see again. But Al Pacino's part is amazing. His character is strong and crazy. (Something that is perfect for Pacino.) I would recamend this movie, just for Al pacino's preformance. NOt really for the story line.

"There's something funny goin' on..."
The title of Dave Grusin's theme song aptly sums up this movie: The music may sound cheesy at times, but remember this film was made in the late 70s. As stated in his commentary, Jewison wanted a cheesy psuedo-disco to reflect the satrical nature of the film.

The origins of Al Pacino's over the top acting style has to be traced to this film, especially in the court room scene. Another great line in his speech has to be "The DA is not going to get him,
I'M GOING TO GET HIM!!" At times, the movie doesn't know if it wants to be a pure comedy or pure drama, but there are enough great moments that make this film an enjoyable experience.

it didn't really work for me
i really do like Al Pacino, and this film has great satire on our country's leagal system, but i found the movie to be rather slow. the script almost seemed incohesive at times: at one moment, he is telling a woman of his frustration with the legal system, then he is taking a dangerous helicopter ride with a judge and then he is defending a drag queen who had last been seen at the very beginning of the movie. i also enjoy watching Jack Warden act, but his character in this movie did not seem real or natural at all.

the DVD doesn't have too many whistles or bells, but there is a director commentary, so that scores some points.

i did not enjoy this movie, but if you are a diehard Pacino fanatic and want to see everything he has done, go ahead and watch it. ... Read more