Not many settings make movies audiences embrace like the workplace. Since the 1970’s, stories of jobs have made for great movies. Whether it’ stockbrokers, fashion-designers or frustrated screenwriters, the genre has created characters. Given the massive number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about the workplace which deserve to be celebrated.
1. Jerry Maguire
Salesmen are charismatic figures that always fascinated my father. I remember memories of a father acknowledging great salesmen crunching mathematical numbers. He would always marvel at salesmen that recorded groundbreaking sales in companies which were celebrated. My father believed movies were art that couldn’t honour salesmen that held a precious place in his heart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the dire obstacles faced by big salesmen in organizations as powerfully as “Jerry Maguire”. Ever since its release in 1996, Cameron Crowe’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about jobs. With the greatest film of his career, Crowe used innovative cinematic techniques to capture salesmen struggling to run an organization causing despair. Crowe has always had aptitude for making great movies about salesmen in danger, and “Jerry Maguire” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jerry Maguire has a tense phone call with a football player requesting him to show him the money causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tom Cruise, who embodied a salesman suffering from serious mental health issues. Ultimately, what makes “Jerry Maguire” my favourite film about salesmen of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about salesmen, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of determination which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about salesmen facing dire obstacles seeking to run larger-than-life companies in gorgeous attire, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured timeless movies about stressful jobs which audiences admire.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
Wall Street stockbrokers fascinated my brother. At an early age, I formed bonds with a brother admiring stockbrokers causing damage. He admired the way stockbrokers got away with crimes without a price to pay. As someone treasuring a brother fascinated with stockbrokers on Wall Street, I adored “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie depicted the lives of drug-addicted stockbrokers on Wall Street. Scorsese effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a Wall Street stockbroker with severe drug addiction. For instance, the scene in which Jordan Belfort faces the high of quaaludes for the first time wrecking his car causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a stockbroker that abused dangerous drugs years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a great movie about jobs is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Wall Street, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a cautionary message about dangers of excessive workplace abuse which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jordan Belfort’s desire to become a stockbroker on Wall Street, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced movies audiences consider a treat.
3. The Social Network
Friendships are fragile relationships that are rarely meant to last forever. I recall a close friend in my high school that I grew up to treasure. However, our strong bond came to closures. No longer the friend that I had grown up to adore, he became a total stranger that I didn’t recognize anymore. As someone treasuring a close friend on a social network, I adored “The Social Network”. Released in 2010, David Fincher’s movie captured friendships falling apart in formations of Facebook. Fincher has often explored friendship in his movies, and “The Social Network” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo throws a temper tantrum breaking Mark’s laptop after his shares in social media are lowered is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed a renowned social network founder. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be Facebook users to appreciate it. The film delivers a bold message about friendships which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking tribute towards a legendary company that forever changed social media, it’s a great reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are worth seeing in the Cinema.
4. The Pursuit of Happiness
Unemployment is a tense situation that can affect fathers’ abilities to care for children. Several years ago, my friend’s father lose his job at BlackBerry causing sorrow. His failure to find a stable job affected his ability to care for his family. Left without a stable profession, he struggled to take care of his children. As someone recalling a father that struggled to ensure his children’s pursuit of happiness, I adored “The Pursuit of Happiness”. Released in 2006, Gabriele Muccino’s movie honoured the true story of a father struggling raising his family. Muccino uses voice-over narration to capture a father struggling to provide for his son in a dire economic situation. For instance, the final scene in which Chris is hired by the stockbroker company resolving his life dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Will Smith, who embodies a father struggling to ensure his son’s happiness. Ultimately, what makes “The Pursuit of Happiness” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sacrifices fathers make for children which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Chris’ pursuit of happiness, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced commemorated movies contributing to greater awareness of sacrifices made by fathers in business.
5. The Devil Wears Prada
Bosses are powerful figures shaping employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that treated employees in a poor manner. Despite her strict nature, I always got along well with an uptight manager that ensured my future in the workplace was bright. As someone treasuring fond memories of a devilish manager with charisma, I adored “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie captured the lives of devilish managers running fashion companies. Frankel used stunning costume design to capture the lives of managers running fashion companies facing a decline. For instance, the scene in which Andrea is humiliated when Miranda criticizes her for the blue sweater she is wearing in front of everyone causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Meryl Streep, who embodied the cruel manager of a cutthroat fashion company. Ultimately, what makes “The Devil Wears Prada” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of fashion to appreciate it. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced unforgettable movies which shine.
6. Up in the Air
Travelling affects the lives of families. I recall with nostalgia the time when my father moved to Saudi Arabia. Long distance became a barrier that prevented us from spending time together. His pursuit of career put our relationship up in the air. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father pursuing his career, I loved “Up in the Air”. Released in 2009, Jason Reitman’s movie captured travelling businessmen. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Up in the Air” stand out is its realism. Reitman uses sharp dialogue to create a business movie that’s realistic. Assisted by George Clooney who is extraordinary in the lead role, Reitman created a realistic business movie. An unforgettable portrait of businessmen up in the air, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured rare movies about which audiences care.
7. Margin Call
It’s not easy to make an entertaining movie about the financial crisis. A complicated subject matter, movies about the financial crisis rarely ever attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry avoiding addressing the economy’s downfall, it’s worth praising “Margin Call”. Released in 2011, J.C. Chandor’s movie painted a powerful portrait of the financial crisis. Chandor used captivating montages capturing hardships that stockbrokers in companies affected by the crisis were facing. Assisted by Kevin Spacey who is exceptional in the lead role, Chandor created a powerful portrait of the financial crisis. Nearly 20 years following the economy’s catastrophic downfall, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about stressful responsibilities of jobs which are easy for audiences to recall.
8. Just Mercy
Few lawyers that fought injustice in American history have earned the recognition of Bryan Stevenson. A renowned civil rights defense attorney, Stevenson dedicated his life to fighting racial injustice in America. In 2019, Destin Daniel Cretton honoured the lawyer seeking mercy in his movie “Just Mercy”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Just Mercy” stand out is its depiction of lawyers. Cretton uses captivating montages capturing hardships that lawyers fighting courtroom cases are facing. Assisted by Michael B. Jordan who is excellent in the lead role, Cretton created a captivating courtroom drama. A powerful portrait of racism experienced by convicts in the modern American legal system, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre with wisdom that has manufactured unforgettable movies achieving stardom.
9. BlackBerry
When it comes to smartphones that lost popularity, it’s worth discussing the BlackBerry. Created in 1984, the BlackBerry was a phone that people would adore. However, in 2008 the BlackBerry lost its popularity following the introduction of the iPhone. In 2023, Matt Johnson honoured the legendary smartphone in his movie “BlackBerry”. Unlike most movies in the business genre, what makes “BlackBerry” stand out is its strong attention to detail. Johnson used captivating montages to capture the detailed downfall of a smartphone that lost popularity. Assisted by Glenn Howerton who is exceptional in the lead role, Johnson celebrated a smartphone that fell out of fashion. As precious as the BlackBerry phone, it’s a brilliant reminder of a genre that has blown audiences away making timeless movies that are in a league of their own.
10. The Big Short
The financial crisis is a tricky subject to depict in movies. Since the 2008 downfall, it’s tough to depict a crisis that’s hard to recall. In 2015, Adam McKay honoured the big crisis in his movie “The Big Short”. McKay used captivating montages capturing hardships that stockbrokers losing jobs in a frightening crisis were facing. Assisted by Christian Bale who is amazing in the lead role, McKay recreated the crisis with detail. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s celebrity cameos to explain finance have tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 20 years after the financial crisis caused the economy to crumble, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made movies about jobs I will always treasure for motivating me to believe my dreams of film criticism are attainable.
The Film Buff 