I'm on an advisory board at a charter high school in an urban area. The idea of having a movie series came up. It seems that too often business people are villains in popular media, which I think does a disservice to young adults thinking about careers. I'd like to include at least some popular movies that show striving in business, entrepreneurship and/or white collar business careers in a positive/inspirational light. Movies that show the transformational possibilities and dignity of work, competing in the marketplace, providing a valuable product or service and/or the positive effects of competition. Also, must also be entertaining. What are your suggestions and in case I haven't seen it, why?
Inspirational movies about business, capitalism, entrepreneurship, business people needed
Answers
I really enjoyed "Chef." A guy stuck in a chef job that he'd become stale in takes the
Shindler's List... How one man and his business can make such a personal and powerful impact in people's lives.
The House of Rothschild - 1934 (a Biography/movie) and also The House of Rothschild - A full length Documentary. You can find them on YouTube. This is a family who started with nothing and is now the richest family/rulers on our planet. Both are eye-opening and reflect true genius entrepreneurship.
We bought a zoo, Mark Walhberg. Family, love, commitment, vision and doing the right thing what more do you need?
Who can forget the Chris Gardner bio starring Will Smith "The Pursuit of Happiness". .
The grit, perseverance, tenacity and determination to succeed.
"The Pursuit of Happiness" is a movie I watch about once every six months. Moving from being in the same low situation, I identify with the story.
I like Gordon Gekko. He spoke truth about business. Greed is good. It motivates people to produce things that people need (but, not the only motivator, but if there is no other motivation to fulfill the needs of others). I know it is unpopular to take that stand, so save the condemnation.
"The Secret of My Success".
"Boiler Room". I don't doubt there are people who buy stock, investing tons of money with people they do not know. The reason I like BR is because if, after seeing this movie, you give people you do not know money, and trust they will do something for you with it, you are crazy. Plus, I like Vin Diesel, and he does the right thing at the right time.
If it isn't obvious, I don't like regulations. They hinder business and make it less profitable. The mantra, "The government should do something," has never been a smart way. We elect people whose average IQ is just above a doorknob, to make laws on things they have no knowledge, and expect positive things to come out. They are not smart enough to stop those whose superior intellect is inverse to their moral quotient. They are only smart enough to make those of us who have character now do things that we did anyway, but with a bureaucratic eyeball watching us as we do it.
Tucker (the Man and His Dream) (Rated PG);
Avalon (Rated PG)
I advise that you don't restrict yourself to movies with business lessons. A few of my favorite inspirational movies are:
1. Shawshank Redemption.
2. Braveheart
3. Rocky II
4. Men of Honor
5. Lean on Me
6. Vision Quest
7. A Beautiful Mind
8. October Sky
9. Apollo 13
10. Rudy
Yes, I love sports, I love people who learn from challenges, and people use failure as motivation, and understand that they control their own destinies no matter what life throws at them.