GUEST COLUMN: Movies That Say Something About Business Savvy

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Movies That Say Something About Business Savvy

by Lewis Robinson

Movies are made primarily for entertainment purposes, but they can be so much more. They can be educational, inspirational, and cautionary. Some of the most compelling movies ever made deal with business, either directly or tangentially. You can watch them to either increase your own business acumen from them or learn from them what not to do.

The Social Network

"The Social Network" is based on the true story of perpetually beleaguered Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. As a brilliant but awkward student at an Ivy League institution in 2003, Zuckerberg had the idea to take the college experience and put it online using technology such as the data wrangling cheat sheet in an attempt to become popular with his peers. Success drives a wedge between Zuckerberg and his business partner Eduardo Saverin, who later sues Zuckerberg for cheating him out of the profits. In part, this is a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of going into business alongside friends. Not only is the film extremely relevant but, given Facebook's more recent legal problems, there may be enough material for a sequel.

Trading Places

The wealthy Duke brothers cannot resolve a disagreement about whether success is genetic or a product of an individual's environment. To resolve the disagreement, they use their resources to conduct a diabolical sociological experiment in which a conman is elevated to the level of an investment executive to take the place of a wealthy man who loses everything after being framed for selling drugs. Made in 1983, this movie was the initial introduction to the New York Stock Exchange for many audiences, and it goes to show that whether success is a matter of heredity or environment, it can be capricious and fleeting.

Thank You for Smoking

Not a feel-good movie by any means, but "Thank You for Smoking," made in 2005, certainly makes a prescient comment about how the perception of truth can be shaped and altered by those with the most money and power, even if those people are sociopathic or incompetent. Perhaps especially so. It does pull back the curtain on the tobacco industry and shine a light on exactly how it sees its consumer base as expendable. It takes equal potshots at anti-smoking advocates, making them seem cartoonishly antagonistic. As protagonist Nick Naylor, Aaron Eckhart is so relentlessly charismatic that you almost start rooting for him to succeed. Almost.

You've Got Mail

A story about an online romance from 1998 is unavoidably going to feel dated in the second decade of the 21st century. "You've Got Mail" may be an unintentional period piece, but it is still a charming romantic comedy despite its flaws. It is about two business rivals who are also unwitting online sweethearts. While the relationship between the unfailingly appealing Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan takes center stage, the movie also raises some interesting questions about whether an entrepreneur should be personally invested in his or her business or not.

It's a Wonderful Life

"It's a Wonderful Life" is justly known as a heartwarming holiday classic. It also makes an insightful commentary on how a person can be successful in business without stooping to behavior that is dishonest or unethical. People who haven't seen it before may be surprised at how long the flashback lasts, but the eventual destination makes the long journey to get there worthwhile.

Self Made

Technically, "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker" is a miniseries rather than a movie. Nevertheless, it is an inspirational tale of how an individual can beat the odds through hard work and perseverance. In the early 1900s, the world of business particularly favored white men, but C.J. Walker became the first Black female entrepreneur to become a millionaire selling hair care products for African American women. The miniseries tells of her struggles to ultimately gain success.

Some of these movies are based on true stories while others are entirely fictional. Nevertheless, all have something significant to say about how to succeed in business without losing your soul in the process.