Boiler Room (2000)

I am a Stockbroker with 15 years of experience. I began my career working for a firm that was like the firm portrayed in the film in many respects. In fact, I have heard this film was based on a firm that ended up merging with the one I worked for.

The film provides a very accurate portrayal of a Small Cap firm from the late 80s to early 90s. For example, the recruitment process was perfect. You didn't need a resume, you didn't need an education and they didn't want people who already had licenses. They wanted raw recruits that didn't know anything and they made money on the testing process.

After you passed the test, you received no training, you got a list (any way you could) and cold called until you opened an account on what they told you to buy. If you didn't open accounts within a month you were out. In the film, they cut off Riblisi's tie as a right of passage. In my firm, the first time you did $1000 in commissions in a single day they cut off your tie.

Other things are realisitic as well; the fact that the firm has positions in the stocks that they sell and there is extra commission at certain moments, the Brokers all know every word of the movieWall Street, that they have big houses or apartments with no furniture, they drink and get into scrapes as a group, that all happened at my firm.

There are many more examples of parallels between the firm in the movie and the experiences of the main characters and my own real life experiences. This movie may seem outrageous or over the top to some, but, it is as accurate as a movie about this subject could be.

At first, I was a little apprehensive about "Boiler Room" thinking it was just gonna be "Wall Street: Part 2". I finally rented it on tape and loved it. One of this year's most underrated films, Boiler Room is a smart and energetic film with excellent performances from it's right cast. The film tells the story of Seth Davis, a decent college dropout earning a living by running a casino inside his house, much to the strong dismay of his frustrated judge father. In order to impress his dad, Seth takes on a job at a stock brokerage firm where he becomes a fast tracking stock broker and making good money. Only later does he find out that his job isn't what it's cracked up to be. The performances are strong, particularly from lead Ribisi and supporting characters Nicky Katt as a two faced co-worker, Ron Rifkin as his dad, and Scott Caan as a hotheaded co-worker. Vin Diesel does quite well as the good guy to Ribisi's Davis. The film definitely has the testosterone feel of a Generation X movie with The Angel's rap/classical score. There's even an homage to "Wall Street" that I don't want to spoil. If you're in the mood for a really good film, rent "Boiler Room". Look for the director Ben Younger in a cameo as a stock broker.

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Some folks might rent or buy this DVD for its well known names, but Vin Disel and Ben Afflec play very small roles It is Giovanni Ribsi that shines. He plays a young college drop out, who turns to an in-house, illegal gambling den to help him release his inner rage and built up anxieties towards his demanding father.

(SPOILERS)

But it is his discovery of a Boiler Room operation hawking non-existent stocks and bonds for non-existent companies that really steers this movie.

Fantastic interactions between the main character, and Vin Disel character. I appreciated the relationship beteen Giovanni and the secretary character, but I felt it was under-developed and weak. Could have been left out, or developed better.

I saw this one in the theater, and now own on DVD, and would recommend it to any Pre-MBA student, or Wall Street wannabe. It is great training.

MC White said: Check it out!

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This film seems to cover all of the bases-fast-paced action, peerless performances, and hysterical dialogue (but a warning, they are all saturated with the vernacular of stressed-out, potty-mouthed stock brokers). Although some reviews have said the script is convoluted and lacks direction, I entirely disagree. The script contains scenes that reveal the many dilemmas that plague Seth (Giovanni Ribisi) his struggle to gain the approval of his inhibited father, a federal judge; his fight to live with himself; and his need for redemption. It is obvious that it is quite difficult to find films that are so tightly and expertly woven these days, but overlooked films like `The Boiler Room' confirm that there are still writers and directors out there who know how to do their job competently.

Ben Affleck has a memorable cameo as the guy who motivates the young brokers-to-be. Vin Diesel's role is small but he most definitely makes the most of all of his scenes. Nia Long plays Abby, whose role (if I must nitpick) I felt could have been developed a bit more and contained more connecting scenes with Seth. The kudos really goes to Giovanni Ribisi, who is proving that he is fast becoming one of Hollywood's hottest and most talented stars. Enigmatic in appearance and disquieting in demeanor, he takes command of every scene and delivers his lines with emotion and bite. I cannot think of another actor who could play the role of Seth as well as he did. His performance in the role of a young man struggling to come to terms with himself keeps you nailed to your seat for the entire duration of the film.

The rap music and slightly annoying cinematography chiefly in the beginning of the film can be easily forgotten once all the primary elements are established. Don't miss this film!

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I bought this movie because I'm a big fan of Vin Diesel. I watched it one night and found it to be a very edgy and very entertaining drama. The plot was very well developed, the characters were very well developed, and the relationship of the main character Seth (Giovanni Ribisi) with the other main characters made for some great plots with-in the plot. All the character relationships are all good for different reasons. The relationship between Seth and his father (Ron Rifkin) had such great intensity. The alliance with Greg Weinstein (Nicky Katt) changed into an excellent battle of wills. The romance with Abby (Nia Long) proved to bring a very fuzzy element to the movie. And the alliance with Chris (Diesel) shows us that Seth has one friend he can count on. Excellent performances all-around, great plot, and a very hip musical score. Highly recommended for fans of stock market type movies and Vin Diesel movies. Boiler Room starts out smokin' and never cools off!

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