Words: Gentleman's Journal
The portrayal of business in film has permeated every genre, from the epic, emotional masterpiece of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane to Vince Vaughn’s The Internship… which is literally none of those things. Portraying what makes a successful entrepreneur is a real task, struggling to balance the complexity of business with the clichés of rising to the top against all odds. It remains to be seen whether Steve Jobs becomes the first businessman to be the subject both mediocre and brilliant biopics, but our bet is on Boyle, Sorkin and Fassbender to erase the Ghosts of Kutchers Past and show us what really makes a genius tick. Until then, here’s our list of films to really get your entrepreneurial juices flowing, and the lessons to learn from each one.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
“What was your last ‘preneur?”
David Fincher’s exhilarating portrayal of some of the least likeable, most successful Harvard students ever adds a new facet to the phrase “it’s lonely at the top”. Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue zips around the claustrophobic boardrooms and bedrooms of Zuckerberg et al. All involved are at their nerdy, nasty best, reminding us that even the most brilliant among us are flawed – especially when they’re young.
Lessons to learn: Watch whose toes you tread on when on your way up – those same people may try to bring you down.
Buy here.
SUNSHINE CLEANING
The story of two sisters who start up a crime-scene cleaning business, this is by far the most indie-spirited feature on the list, perfectly complementing the tale of a local startup. Although much of the story focusses on the relationship between the sisters (brilliantly portrayed by Amy Adams and Emily Blunt), their grassroots approach is one oft-ignored by Hollywood.
Lessons to learn: Find your niche and stick with it – not every venture has to be the next Facebook.
Buy here.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
A film that suffered at the hands of one of its own scenes, the Pursuit of Happyness is unfairly remembered as the film with the Rubik’s Cube. It may be a brilliant scene, but the true story of Chris Gardner’s year of homelessness with his son deserves to be remembered for other things. Chief among them is Will Smith’s heartfelt portrayal of a truly desperate man’s struggle to be the best out of 20 stockbroking interns, resulting in a masterclass in determination.
Lessons to learn: Never give up. Have you exasperated every last avenue to keep your dream alive? If not, it’s not over yet.
Buy here.
JERRY MAGUIRE
Cameron Crowe’s endlessly quotable film may be best remembered for “Show me the money!” and “You had me at hello”, but it is really a love-letter to old-school, personal business prevailing in a world where money talks. Though over-schmaltzy in parts, and lacking in real business acumen, great performances and a bottomless heart make this an engaging story of succeeding while managing to care about others.
Lessons to learn: Don’t forget that businesses consist of and depend upon people – falling in love with money will get you nowhere.
Buy here.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
An intoxicating race through 10 years of debauchery and devious salesmanship, this film could scream “cautionary tale” too loudly, were it not for Scorsese’s sweeping direction and Dicaprio’s nuanced portrayal of a man driven almost entirely by greed and pride.
Lessons to learn: Jordan Belfort starts with a winning idea, hungry employees and eloquence in sales, but he doesn’t know when to stop. Any budding entrepreneur should know how far to blur the lines before they disappear.
Buy here.
By Joe Chapman
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