10 films to get you through the recession

Hollywood has a surprising amount to teach us about this recession, argues Serena Cowdy.

Kick off your shoes, microwave that popcorn and dim the lights. Here are ten films to get you through the recession...

1. Wall Street (1987)

The plot: Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) is an ambitious young Wall Street stockbroker who wants to play with the big boys.

When he meets the ruthless, manipulative and extremely successful broker Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), he gets sucked into a world where morals mean nothing and 'greed is good'...

The moral of the story: Don't be naïve. Don't trust anyone. Don't sell out the people you care about. And DON'T get a 1980s haircut.

2. The Money Pit (1986)

The plot: Walter (Tom Hanks) and Anna (Shelley Long) need a place of their own quick - and are delighted to find out about a million dollar mansion that the owner urgently wants to sell.

When they take possession, however, they find the property is more than they bargained for. Anna finds she needs to call on her ex-husband to help fund the repairs - and Walter and Anna's relationship heads for disaster...

The moral of the story: Cut all financial ties with your ex. Don't invest in a property you can't afford. And ALWAYS get a structural survey done.

3. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

The plot: This film follows two days in the professional lives of four estate agents. Under huge pressure from head office, they become desperate to make some sales.

Things get increasingly cut-throat and - as the lure of money and job security becomes overwhelming - each man's worst traits are revealed.

The moral of the story: It's better to quit than sell your soul. Dishonesty doesn't pay. And whatever you do, don't become an estate agent.

4. American Psycho (2000)

The plot: Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is a young, rich, good looking stockbroker living the American dream.

Unfortunately, he is also a homicidal monster with no morals. In his own words, 'I have all the characteristics of a human being: Blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust'.

The moral of the story: An amoral career isn't healthy. Don't trust a man who shows all his teeth when he smiles. And when your colleague's telling you about what he did yesterday, don't mistake 'murders and executions' for 'mergers and acquisitions'.

5. Boiler Room (2000)

The plot: Bright college dropout Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi) takes a job as a stockbroker to please his demanding father.

He's great at the cold calling and the high pressure selling - but as his pay rate rises he finds himself sinking into very murky ethical waters.

The moral of the story: Don't set up a boiler room. Don't work in a boiler room. And don't take a call from one, either.

6. Jerry Maguire (1996)

The plot: One day, sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) voices his doubts about the ethics of his job - and ends up losing it.

With just one client left, and a fledgling relationship on the back burner, Jerry sets out to rebuild his career. But will it be at the expense of what really matters?

The moral of the story: Don't let your career destroy your relationship. Stick your neck out for what you believe in. And when you finally have that glorious 'I quit!' moment - don't expect everyone to follow you.

7. Pretty Woman (1990)

The plot: Edward (Richard Gere) is a cool, calm, high flying businessman who takes over ailing companies, breaks them up and sells them off piece by piece. Vivian (Julia Roberts) is a beautiful, intelligent but uneducated girl who works as a prostitute to pay the rent.

When Richard 'hires' Vivian, a night turns into a week and they fall in love. But can this 'prince and the showgirl' romance really work?

The moral of the story: Putting companies back together is nicer than breaking them up. Love can overcome class, education and tax boundaries. And if you're going to sell your body to survive the recession, prostitution isn't the way to do it.

8. WALL-E (2008)

The plot: Humankind has ruined the Earth with polluting trash, and left it abandoned. WALL-E is the rubbish-collecting robot left there to clean up the mess.

When he meets Eve - a reconnaissance robot sent by humans - there begins a tale of companionship, love and the fight for environmental reconstruction.

The moral of the story: Be frugal with your natural resources as well as your salary - there are things on Earth more important than money.

9. Indecent Proposal (1993)

The plot: Diana and David Murphy (Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson) are blissfully in love and planning their dream home together. When the recession hits, however, their finances collapse and they're left penniless and desperate.

After meeting them at a casino, Millionaire John Gage (Robert Redford) offers them a million dollars - in return for a night with Diana. When they accept the proposition, their lives start to fall apart.

The moral of the story: Don't gamble. Get that rainy day savings pot started right now. And some money making schemes REALLY aren't worth it.

10. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

The plot: The Bailey Building and Loan company falls into crisis when conniving banker Henry F. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) sets out to destroy it.

George Bailey (James Stewart) is thrown into despair by the disaster, which hits everyone in the community hard and has been made possible by the carelessness of his kindly uncle Billy.

George begins to believe there's nothing to live for - until his guardian angel Clarence arrives. He shows him how his existence has made the world a better place, and convinces him there's everything still to fight for.

The moral of the story: Careless fiscal policies end in tears. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. And, when it comes to the crunch, true wealth can't be measured in money.

Those are my choices - but I'm sensing some film buffs won't agree with me. Which films have taught you something about money, and how?

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