“Citizen Kane”, 1941
Director: Orson Welles
A classic masterpiece by Orson Welles, this film traces the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane, a media mogul who achieves extraordinary wealth and power but struggles with personal dissatisfaction and isolation.
Starring: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead, Ruth Warrick, Ray Collins, Erskine Sanford, Everett Sloane, William Alland, Paul Stewart;
Production year: 1941;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “Citizen Kane” on the website imdb.com
“The Social Network”, 2010
Director: David Fincher
Directed by David Fincher, this compelling drama examines the founding of Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg, capturing the intense interpersonal conflicts and legal battles that defined Facebook's embryonic stages.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Joseph Mazzello;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Social Network” on the website imdb.com
“There Will Be Blood”, 2007
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this film follows Daniel Plainview, a ruthless oilman on his relentless pursuit of wealth during Southern California’s oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds, Dillon Freasier, Russell Harvard, Sydney McCallister, Colleen Foy, David Willis, Martin Stringer;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 158 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “There Will Be Blood” on the website imdb.com
“Scarface”, 1983
Director: Brian De Palma
A film that has achieved cult status, directed by Brian De Palma and starring Al Pacino, this gritty narrative dives into the life of Tony Montana, an ambitious Cuban immigrant who builds a criminal empire, only to see it crumble under its own weight.
Starring: Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, Miriam Colon, F. Murray Abraham, Paul Shenar, Harris Yulin, Ángel Salazar;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: drama, crime, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 170 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “Scarface” on the website imdb.com
“The Wolf of Wall Street”, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption, and the federal government.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, P.J. Byrne, Jon Bernthal, Cristin Milioti, Jean Dujardin, Matthew McConaughey;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, crime, biography, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 180 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Featuring Will Smith, this biographical drama is about Chris Gardner's nearly one-year struggle with homelessness while raising his son and pursuing a life-changing professional career.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“Wall Street”, 1987
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, it tells the story of a young and impatient stockbroker who is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless and greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen, Hal Holbrook, Terence Stamp, Saul Rubinek, William G. Knight, James Spader, Tamara Tunie;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Wall Street” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also offer poignant commentary on the inherent human drive for success and the moral ambiguities that often accompany it. The pursuit of success is depicted in multifaceted ways, making these films resonant with diverse audiences worldwide.
In conclusion, the rich tapestry of cinema provides a compelling examination of humanity's relentless pursuit of success and its inevitable dance with failure. These films serve as both mirrors and windows, offering audiences reflections of their own ambitions and aspirations, while also providing glimpses into the myriad ways this quest can play out. From the dizzying heights of victory in pictures like “The Social Network” and the poignant depths of defeat in “There Will Be Blood,” to the bittersweet journey of dreamers in “La La Land,” these narratives dissect the multifarious dimensions of achievement and loss. They remind us that, while the conquest for success may shape our identity, it is often our response to failure that truly defines our character. Through the art of storytelling and the medium of film, we are invited to confront the universal truths of the human condition, emerging with a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between our greatest triumphs and our most profound setbacks.
