Hulkeasexo
it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Ginger
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Predrag
Other People's Money is a wonderful movie, full of smart dialogue, good music, and a terrific Danny De Vito performance. De Vito is his usual funny, and easy-going self, while Gregory Peck is a strong-willed patriarch. Very good stuff there. The weakest performance is from Penelope Ann Miller, who isn't really convincing as the corporate attorney, but the material is so good that it saves the movie. 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 sub-textual 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 spoofed 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.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.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.
lawrence_elliott
This movie looks like a play on stage, as it is adapted from one, but it is still an interesting treatment. De Vito's obsession with the lawyer of the company he is trying to "liquidate" adds spice and flair as does Piper Laurie who looks terrific after all her many years. Gregory Peck does a good job as the "stick-in-the-mud" character who will not bend to change. This film is not about the stock market or capitalism but Danny De Vito creates an impressively credible and accurate picture of what some of the Mandarins on Wall Street might look like and how they might behave. There is good humour in this film (e.g. De Vito poking furiously at the fire in his fireplace as his sex hormones kick in and take over his demeanor). His butler adds a nice touch and on the whole this movie works. It was a pleasurable view and I was pleasantly surprised. A good conclusion with appealing curb appeal and a hint of realism. I recommend this one.
theowinthrop
Danny DeVito's performance as Larry "the Liquidator" Garfield is a solidly crafted performance of a big time, clever Wall Street operator. The film came out in the early 1990s, and the character was the type of person who was active at the time who bought up fading companies to sell off the assets. A similar character would be Richard Gere's billionaire in PRETTY WOMAN, who is able to look back with satisfaction at buying up the company his father (who deserted Gere and his mother) built and selling it apart while his father watched helplessly. Another example is Michael Douglas' "Oscar" performance as "Gordon Gecko" in WALL STREET. The three actors show this type of tycoon at his best and worst. Douglas, of course, with his "Greed is Good" speech showed the worst of it. Gere (with the help of Julia Roberts) manages to regain his sense of ethical strength and becomes more willing to not be a Wall Street looter. But best of the three was DeVito. Handicapped at being a short, bald, pudgy man (albeit with a brain), and not attractive like Gere or Douglas, Danny manages in this film to show the positive flip side of his "liquidation" schemes and win our support as Douglas never would. One may of course remain skeptical about DeVito's altruism, as he does admit liking to make money, but the overwhelming common sense of his speech explains that progress and economic realities dictate the world of big business as much as the personalities of the operators.In OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY Danny has decided to buy as much of the stock of a New England cable manufacturing company as he can. The company is breaking even or less every year, and is actually worth more for it's individual assets than for it's unified worth. Unfortunately, in a situation that Frank Capra would have been at home with, the firm is the largest employer in the New England town it is located in. Many of the residents of the town work in the factory. The head of the factory is Andrew Jorgenson (Gregory Peck - everyone's favorite spokesman for the common man after Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart left the scene). Peck is the sort of man who anyone in the plant would come to if they had some personal problem that needed adjustment that effected the business. Peck is paternalistic business at it's best.But that's just the problem - Calvin Coolidge once made a truism: "The business of America is business." He meant that Americans were hard working people who would go into all types of business to earn a living. But earning a living includes earning a profit, and it does not mean supporting a business that is increasingly becoming an unofficial charity for a factory town.The problem for DeVito is that his raider reputation precedes him. He also finds that Peck's lawyer Kate Sullivan (Penelope Ann Miller) is very attractive. DeVito's finding that his campaign to take over the factory is interfering (understandably) with his attempts to romance Miller. Also, on the sidelines, is a problem with a type that DeVito finds useful if distasteful. Peck's associate Bill Coles (Dean Jones) is a shareholder who might support Peck but is weak enough to sound out DeVito about voting with his side. It's interesting watching DeVito's face when dealing with Jones - he is very mild but his face does register disgust and dismissal (subsequently so does Peck's).The high point is the stockholder's meeting. Peck gives his best speech about the importance of the company to the town. He talks about how business opportunities are bound to turn around shortly. He gives the type of speech that Frank Capra would have been proud of in MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN or IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (think of George Bailey's speech to mollify the townspeople during a run on the savings and loan). When you hear the sincerity of Peck's well remembered voice, you feel he will carry the day.But he doesn't. Instead, DeVito wins. His speech is not the "Greed is Good" crap that Douglas espouses, although the profit motive is stressed. DeVito points out that there is no real chance that the firm will overcome foreign competition in fiber-optics. Furthermore, even if there was such a chance it would be infinitesimal. DeVito goes into the matter of why people invest money - it's to make money, and not to be philanthropic with the money. He points out that it is sad that the effect of the closing of the factory hits the town, but under the circumstances it can't be helped - it's inevitable. But at least now the company's assets can be sold off, and they will produce a large profit. As DeVito points out, he's proud of his name "the liquidator", and he feels he is the best friend of every shareholder in the firm at that moment. Finally he discusses the significance of the last buggy whip company. It made the finest of all buggy whips, but people had no further use for them in the age of the automobile.It's a straightforward, honest, and eloquent defense of capitalism - a perfectly respectable variant to the Gecko speech in WALL STREET. The film does end in a successful compromise, but it's nice to see DeVito coming across as fully in the right for a change.
Lee Eisenberg
"Other People's Money" sort of takes "Wall Street" and puts a comedic spin on it. Danny DeVito - in full pumped-up, crazy form - plays Lawrence "Larry the Liquidator" Garfield, a corporate raider plotting a hostile takeover of a store that provides the town's livelihood. The plant's owner (Gregory Peck) sends young lawyer Kate Sullivan (Penelope Ann Miller) after Larry, but nothing goes as anyone planned.This seems like the sort of movie that only Norman Jewison could direct, how he takes a real-life issue and shows it in a manner to which we can all relate. The whole part about the relationship between Larry and Kate was maybe a little unnecessary, but it's overall good that the movie shows the Wall Street types for what they really are...even if you grow to admire Larry. Maybe if you grow to admire Larry, it's because Danny DeVito makes him so funny. The movie comes out very well done. Also starring Piper Laurie, Dean Jones and William DeAcutis in his final role.