This movie, based on a true story, chronicles the sale of RJR Nabisco during an era when Mergers and Acquisitions were at an all time high. James Garner, in a brilliant performance, plays F. Ross Johnson, the CEO of RJR Nabisco who wants to take Nabisco private and be its majority owner.
The movie does a nice job explaining the financial aspects of a LBO(Leveraged Buyout) on such a basic level that anyone can understand. Throughout the film the storyline flows quickly, although at times certain scenes were a little canned and the satire a bit corny.
The backdrop of the movie is loaded with back and forth backstabbing, blatant greed, under the table dealing, and Jonathan Pryce’s depiction of Henry Kravis, a Wall Street mover and shaker and corporate raider is outstanding.
Of course by no means this work supersedes the book, but nevertheless you may find the effort quite entertaining.
Over all, I really enjoyed this movie.
Cast
- Tom Aldredge as Charlie Hugel
- Graham Beckel as Don Kelly
- Joanna Cassidy as Linda Robinson
- Matt Clark as Ed Horrigan
- Jeffrey DeMunn as John Greeniaus
- Peter Dvorsky as George R. Roberts
- James Garner as F. Ross Johnson
- Mark Harelik as Peter Atkins
- Joseph Kell as Nick Forstmann
- Jonathan Pryce as Henry Kravis
- David Rasche as Ted Forstmann
- Peter Riegert as Peter Cohen
- Leilani Sarelle as Laurie Johnson
- Fred Dalton Thompson as Jim Robinson
- Rita Wilson as Carolyne Roehm-Kravis