What the Movies Can Teach Us About Getting Rich: 5 Key Lessons
Whether you Netflix or matinee, movies provide a cheap, albeit fleeting, diversion fromyour monetary woes. The following movies offer valuable lessons that are gleaned from avariety of sources, ranging from single mothers to stockbrokers to soulless salesmen. Asnecessity is the mother of invention, there’s no better time than the present to learn a fewlessons from the silver screen.
#1 Fight the Good Fight
As seen in: Erin Brockovich (2000)
Erin Brockovich is based on the true story of a woman who fought the bad guys and won- $333 million dollars to be exact. Julia Roberts stars as the broke, jobless, twice-divorced mother of three, who takes a job at a ho-hum law firm. While working at the firm, Brockovich discovers a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local community that has caused devastating illness among its residents. She decides to personally investigate the case and goes on to receive the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in US history.
Ms. Brockovich proves that determination, a sense of justice, and moxie can produce a pretty hefty reward. Luckily for the 600 plaintiffs in the Pacific Gas and Electrical company case, Erin Brockovich took on their struggle headfirst. After discovering real estate and medical records detrimental to PG&E, she churned through files and interviews until reaching the finish line. Despite a complete lack of legal knowledge, Brockovich pursued the case and won - which goes to show that you don’t always need a fancy degree to do what’s right in the world.
#2 Learn How to Win Friends and Influence People
As seen in: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
A humble window washer at the World Wide Widget Company, J. Pierpont Finch applies the lessons from a book called How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to climb to the top of the company ladder. By keeping a low profile, endearing himself to the right people, fibbing about his non-existent Ivy League degree and plotting the convenient downfall of his nemesis, he soars from a minimum wage, blue collar worker to a high-powered Chairman of the Board.
Finch successfully manipulates people to get what he wants, always with a smile on his face and a song in his heart. That’s the genius of Finch – he is never at a loss for the proper maneuver, word of cajolery, or shrewd insight that will help him move up thecorporate ladder. Everyone genuinely thinks Finch likes him or her, and everyone genuinely likes Finch. His actions are deliberate, and he leaves no damage on anyone else’s reputation or career, which is precisely the reason he moved ahead with so little resistance. Always remember – you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
#3 Get Rich or Die Tryin’
As seen in: Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005)
Inspired by rapper 50 Cent's real life experience, the movie follows Marcus, a tough young kid who was forced into a life of crime after the death of his mother. He quickly works his way up the ranks of a local crime family and, in doing so, he enjoys the benefits that come with it: unlimited ladies and bling. Problem is, Marcus’ heart is in the rap game (he’s OK with keeping his ladies and bling, mind you).
When a heist goes awry and Marcus is shot in the back, he decides to leave his criminal life for good. All the while, he needs to watch his back (pun intended) because his old crime boss isn’t too pleased about his decision to pursue his dream.
Forget about succeeding in business without really trying. In this economy, you better be prepared to try and, dare we say it…die in your efforts to make money. If you’re willing to give it your all (and maybe get shot a few times), the rewards could be extraordinary.Scratch that. Don’t be willing to die. That’s crazy. Just make sure you try, OK?
#4 Brush Up On Your Math
As seen in: 21 (2008)
In order to gain acceptance into the Harvard School of Medicine, MIT student Ben Campbell needs $300,000 for tuition. Problem is, he doesn’t have the money. However, after he impresses MIT Professor Micky Rosa with his mathematical prowess, he’s invited to become a member a blackjack team that plans to take Vegas for millions via a card counting operation. Campbell reluctantly plays long enough to earn his Harvard tuition.
Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a mathematical genius to count cards. I mean, just take a look at some of the knuckleheads on this MIT blackjack team. You simply have to be self-disciplined enough to master basic mathematical skills and memorization. Also, you need to be able to concentrate in distracting conditions. Obviously, the majority of casinos prohibit card counters from playing their blackjack tables, so it helps to not look like a Harvard-bound or MIT student while doing it.
#5 Steal from the rich (them), give to the poor (you).
As seen in: Oceans 11 (2001)
Upon release from a four year prison sentence, con-man Danny Ocean ( George Clooney) and his partner Rusty ( Brad Pitt) decide to simultaneously rob three Vegas mega-casinos for a $150 million payday. The casinos are owned by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who just so happens to be romantically involved with Ocean’s ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts).
With the help of an eclectic group of “specialists” – a pickpocket, a card magician, a pyrotechnic Ian and an aging gambler – they pull off one of the most elaborate, successful heists in movie history.
Robin Hood figured this lesson out a LONG time ago and so should you. Amidst the glow of overblown Vegas casinos, the Oceans crew exposes the never-ending struggle between the wealthy, entitled elite and the people who’re willing and able to take it from them. Blinded by his own sense of invincibility, Benedict thinks street rats such as Danny Ocean could never touch his Benjamins. But, alas, he’s dead wrong. A word to the wise: if you’re rich and you’re dating a convict’s wife, you better be careful.
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