Which character from the film Wall Street became a symbol of 1980s corporate greed and excess?
The character from the film Wall Street who quickly became the ultimate symbol of 1980s corporate greed and excess is Gordon Gekko. Played by Michael Douglas, Gekko is the ruthless and wildly wealthy corporate raider who famously delivered the line, “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” This iconic quote and Gekko’s character, with his slicked-back hair and expensive suits, immediately captured the public imagination as the personification of the era’s ambition, materialism, and unethical business practices.
Despite being the film’s villain, Gekko was, and in many ways still is, idolized by some aspiring financiers for his power and success, inadvertently turning the movie into a cautionary tale that was sometimes misunderstood. His entire persona, from his insider trading schemes to his predatory mentality, encapsulated the dark side of the decade’s unrestrained capitalism. Michael Douglas won an Academy Award for his portrayal, solidifying Gordon Gekko’s status as one of cinema’s most memorable and enduring villains.
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-e6AKmoOqQ
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