Wall Street and Vine: Hollywood's View of Business

85 Pages Posted: 7 Feb 2020

See all articles by Larry E. Ribstein

Larry E. Ribstein

University of Illinois College of Law (deceased); PERC - Property and Environment Research Center

Date Written: March 8, 2009

Abstract

American films have long presented a negative view of business. This article is the first comprehensive and in-depth analysis of filmmakers' attitude toward business. It shows that it is not business that filmmakers dislike, but rather the control of firms by profit-maximizing capitalists. The article argues that this dislike stems from filmmakers' resentment of capitalists' constraints on their artistic vision. Filmmakers' portrayal of business is significant because films have persuasive power that tips the political balance toward business regulation.

Keywords: Film, business regulation, corporate social responsibility

JEL Classification: G38, K20, K22, L21, L51

Suggested Citation

Ribstein, Larry Edward, Wall Street and Vine: Hollywood's View of Business (March 8, 2009). U Illinois Law & Economics Research Paper No. LE05-010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=563181 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.563181

Larry Edward Ribstein (Contact Author)

University of Illinois College of Law (deceased)

PERC - Property and Environment Research Center

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Bozeman, MT 59718
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