Not many genres have earned recognition of rags-to-riches. Since the 1970’s, stories of poor people becoming rich have made for memorable movies. Whether it’s parasitic housekeepers, gangsters or Wall Street stockbrokers, the genre has created many characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films of a genre that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Goodfellas
Gangsters are grand figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a great grandfather that loved dark gangsters that faced damage. He was fascinated with the rags-to-riches stories of dark gangsters that sought to become somebodies in neighbourhoods full of nobodies. An offer that he could simply never refuse, my grandfather loved to watch dark movies about the lives of dark gangsters that had shaped his worldviews. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the rags-to-riches struggles faced by greedy gangsters as powerfully as “Goodfellas”. Ever since its release in 1990, Martin Scorsese’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about greed. With the greatest film of his career, Scorsese used innovative cinematic techniques to capture greedy gangsters that seek to become millionaires facing despair. Scorsese has often had an aptitude for making engaging movies about gangsters whose lives are in danger, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene in which Henry Hill leads Karen into the Copacabana club introducing her to gangsters causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ray Liotta, who embodied a dark gangster that’s rich in America. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” my favourite film about greed of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a message about community which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of an iconic film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a bold reminder of a genre honouring greed.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
Wall Street stockbrokers fascinated my father. At an early age, I formed bonds with a father admiring stockbrokers causing damage. He admired the way stockbrokers got away with crimes without a price to pay. As someone treasuring a father fascinated with stockbrokers on Wall Street, I adored “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie depicted the lives of greedy stockbrokers on Wall Street. Scorsese effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a Wall Street stockbroker driven by greed to succeed. 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 addiction is its message. The film delivers a cautionary message about dangers of greed 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 memorable movies about greed which audiences consider treat.
3. The Social Network
Facebook is a legendary social networking company that my cousin always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin that adored the company which changed social media. A huge fan of Facebook, he would always praise greedy founders of a company that changed his outlook. He would often yearn to see the social media company depicted in Cinema. In 2010, David Fincher honoured the greedy entrepreneurs that formed the social network in his movie “The Social Network”. Fincher used captivating non-linear storytelling capturing the greedy entrepreneurs that formed a company which revolutionized social networking. For instance, the scene in which the greedy Mark is accused by the twins of stealing their idea for Facebook causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who embodied the extremely greedy founder of a social network company. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a company that changed social media, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre commonly attracting audiences towards modern-day Cinema.
4. Parasite
Greed is an emotion that often impacts housekeepers. Years ago, my family faced grief when we found our greedy housekeeper was a thief. I remember a housekeeper that treated my family in a generous manner. My grandparents were shocked when they found the housekeeper they trusted fully had stolen jewelry. As someone that has witnessed the emotions of greed housekeepers fight, I adored “Parasite”. Released in 2019, Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning drama captured social class barriers affecting families in South Korea. Bong Joon-ho effectively uses symbolism to capture the plight of a parasitic family seeking money in a country divided by social inequality. For instance, the scene in which the Kim family hatch a plan to plant parasitic peaches to get rid off the Park family’s housekeeper causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Song Kang-Ho, who embodied a greedy father facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Parasite” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be South Korean to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social inequality which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of the parasite poverty barriers families in South Korea fight, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies that deserve spotlight.
5. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book about greed that my teacher would always appreciate. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. He would always speak fondly about a book that captured social class in the 1920’s. Drawn towards the green light, he adored a book capturing the class barriers that millionaires fight. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the great book about greedy millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about the lives of greedy millionaires, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Gatsby is first introduced to Nick Carraway at a party causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who created an iconic millionaire character. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a millionaire that’s mysterious, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies which audiences consider extremely precious.
6. The White Tiger
Housekeepers driven by greedy motives are common in India. India has built an image of being a country where housekeepers often possess greed to escape poverty causing damage. The great role that greed plays in lives of housekeepers in India that face disaster is beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Released in 2021, Ramin Bahrani’s movie captured greedy housekeepers in India. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses captivating narration capturing greed housekeepers in India are experiencing. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of housekeepers facing poverty in India, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies attracting audiences towards cinema.
7. There Will be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson is a legendary filmmaker that has made great movies about greed causing destruction. Greed has always been a central theme in Anderson’s movies, and it is most evident in “There Will be Blood”. Released in 2007, Anderson’s movie captured a greedy oil prospector facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “There Will be Blood” stand out is its depiction of oil. Anderson uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a greedy oil prospector seeking fortune is facing. Assisted by Daniel Day-Lewis who is extraordinary in the lead role, Anderson created a captivating drama about greed. As precious as oil sought by Daniel Plainview, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies about the dangerous consequences of greed audiences value.
8. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is great literature capturing greed that causes danger. Since its publication in 2008, Suzanne Collins’ book has become a classic readers appreciate. Poverty has always been a central theme in the legendary book. In 2012, Gary Ross honoured the book about games in his movie “The Hunger Games”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Hunger Games” stand out is its feminist point-of-view. Ross uses captivating montages capturing an impoverished girl facing greedy games that are frightening. Assisted by Jennifer Lawrence who is amazing in the lead role, Ross created a captivating adaptation of a celebrated book about greed. As strong as Katniss’ desire to become a feminist hero, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies giving audiences dreams to commonly follow.
9. Catch Me if You Can
When it comes to greedy con-artists that faced jail, it’s worth discussing Frank Abagnale. During the 1960’s, Abagnale was a clever conman that engaged in felonies. Abagnale participated in criminal activities until the day that he was caught by FBI authorities. In 2002, Steven Spielberg honoured the notorious con-artist with a plan in his film “Catch Me if You Can”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Catch Me if You Can” stand out is its depiction of con-artists. Spielberg uses captivating montages capturing con-artists committing crimes that are shocking. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Spielberg honours a greedy con-artist that achieved fame years ago. As strong as crimes Frank Abagnale has committed, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated genre that deserves to be absolutely appreciated.
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 did an admirable job of depicting the big crisis in his movie “The Big Short”. McKay used montages to capture a financial crisis characterized by greed. 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 face recession, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies about dangerous consequences of greed which I will always treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 