BOILER ROOM
Seth is a young college dropout from New York City who admits in an opening
voiceover that he never possessed the desire to work for a living; he just
"wanted in." Into the big money, that is. He joins up with a "boiler
room" stock trading firm called J.T. Marlin, with the promise that
"you will make your first million in two years." Soon he's
hard-selling stocks over the phone to people who can't afford them, making
obscene amounts of money for his team leader, Greg (Nicky Katt), and impressing
the CEO (Tom Everett Scott), the recruiter (Affleck), and other team leaders
like Chris (Vin Diesel, also from Ryan).
Although Seth's main objective for joining the firm is to earn the respect
and acceptance of his stern father (Ron Rifkin), a federal judge with whom
he has a long history of conflict, he soon develops a taste for it, becoming
the firm's top producer among the new recruits. But he begins seeing things
he doesn't understand, like papers being shredded during off hours, and,
though his fears are dismissed by his new girlfriend Abbie (Nia Long), the
firm's receptionist, he smells something fishy. Just like Charlie Sheen,
he must decide whether to turn a blind eye to the corruption in the firm
or go up against the big fish with possibly disasterous repercussions.
Ben Younger, who not only wrote and directed this film, but plays a minor part as one of the traders, has crafted an intense thriller about this often risky business. Apparently, his research for the subject included interviewing people who work at such an establishent and even applying for a job. The story, which simmers from the first minute, turns up the heat considerably as we enter the final reel. His directorship is also cunning, portraying the group as a bunch of snotty young punks in Armani suits and Ferraris, who have succumbed to the considerable seduction of quick riches at the price of integrity. In addition to Ribisi, good work is done by the supporing cast, especially Rifkin as Seth's father. ****