Whether it’s to watch an unrealistic superhero movie or a biopic about a millionaire who spends his money on the most exotic things, cinephiles go to the movies for escapism more than anything. More often than not, viewers can’t help but be impressed by incredible lifestyles that are undeserved or funded by crime.
It’s only natural, as that insight into the human condition is the same reason why gamers play video games like Grand Theft Auto. But, sometimes, the moral can tend to be ambiguous and those characters don’t always get the comeuppance that they should. Director Martin Scorsese has been accused of glorifying Jordan Belfort’s questionable lifestyle, but there are many other movies that blur the line too.
The Social Network (2010)
It’s hard to get behind Mark Zuckerberg’s actions in The Social Network, as he continuously double-crosses everyone he comes into contact with, but it’s also hard not to enjoy the partying he takes part in and be in awe of the way he grew the company so quickly. Even outside of Zuckerberg’s actions, the whole Harvard lifestyle audiences see the incredibly unlikeable characters have will surely make any viewer bitter.
It all makes sense as part of the narrative, as Zuckerberg’s trying to live the experience that he was clearly jealous of at Harvard even though he ridiculed Eduardo when he earned a place in an exclusive club. Given all of the questionable ethics of Facebook over the past 10 years, it’d be great to see a Social Network 2 which would surely delve more in to the satire.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Being a movie biopic with a sense of humor, Catch Me If You Can follows a genius who uses his brilliance for all the wrong reasons as he scams his way in to the most unbelievable of scenarios. Frank Abagnale leads a jet-setting life and the way he transitions from being a banker to a doctor, and then to a lawyer in the most fraudulent ways is undeniably exciting, even though his actions caused him to be convicted for years. Even the real-life Abagnale has claimed that the movie is massively exaggerated, which has led many to almost live vicariously through him.
The Hangover (2009)
Taking into account the way The Hangover portrays the Wolfpack, audiences are made to hate them, as they make one mistake after another and are portrayed as idiots, but that isn’t always the case.
Throughout the movie, there are so many moments when one of the members of the gang is proud of another member’s actions, even though it’s an atrocious act of violence or some other petty crime such as firing automatic weapons on the street or stealing a tiger.
Nightcrawler (2014)
Being one of the best movies where the lead character is the villain, Nightcrawler follows a stringer who captures crimes on camera to sell to news networks. When Lou (Jake Gyllenhaal) finds out that such a career exists, the character himself glamorizes the occupation, and the way the movie is shot makes the job look thrilling.
Not long after becoming a stringer, Lou starts making boatloads of cash, and he even buys a cherry red sports car. The movie brilliantly explores the unethical journalism that has become so popular in this day and age, but some of the scenes will make fans truly jealous of Lou.
American Psycho (2000)
Though American Psycho is all about a New York business man who slowly turns in to a psychotic murderer, that isn’t exactly what the movie glorifies, and the gore is actually turned down a notch compared to the novel. However, the movie embraces Patrick Bateman’s lifestyle as a New York socialite that’s full of fine dining and partying.
From his slicked-back hair to his sharp suits, it’s almost hard not to envy the serial killer’s high-powered, luxurious life. But, in fairness, it’s hard to make the lifestyle not look cool, and that’s a major aspect of the movie.
The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)
At the time of its release, The Wolf of Wall Street was criticized by some for the way it glamorized Jordan Belfort’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) behavior. From partying on private jets to the way he encouraged his employees to act in the offices of Stratton Oakmont, the movie arguably reveled in his behavior, as it rarely showed the downside to any of his actions.
Even when he was convicted, Belfort outright said that he didn’t have to worry because he was rich, and his prison life was depicted as almost being like an exclusive holiday resort. Even to this day, the movie has accidentally encouraged businessmen to set up their own institutions with sketchy just ethics because they want to live like Belfort.
American Made (2017)
Though it isn’t the first time that Tom Cruise has played a pilot before—as he’ll even be returning in a Top Gun sequel this year—American Made is unlike any movie the actor has starred in over the past 20 years.
The movie follows Barry Seal (Cruise,) who is hired by the CIA to smuggle guns, drugs, and other contraband between South America and the United States. In that time, Seal is seen having the time of his life, having affairs and getting laid in the cockpit mid-flight.
War Dogs (2016)
War Dogs is about two Miami stoners who become arms dealers, and, as David Packouz (Miles Teller) puts it himself, they’re “bottom feeders who make money off of war without ever stepping foot on the battlefield.”
Signing a contract with the US government, the movie plays out similarly to American Made, as the two characters reap all the benefits of being arms dealers, as they’re seen partying, doing drugs, firing guns, and generally getting every advantage under the sun for simply being American.
Pain & Gain (2013)
When Pain & Gain was first released, it made waves among critics for being the first Michael Bay movie in years to have any sort of character development or story arc. After the director had focused on Transformers movies for so many years, the movie, which is based on real-life criminals, was such a brilliant return to form.
The film follows three deluded and dimwitted criminals that don’t know any better find themselves inadvertently murdering somebody they’re trying to extort. It’s one of Michael Bay's best movies, but, at the same time, the movie revels in the criminals’ partying lifestyle.
Let’s Be Cops (2014)
Let’s Be Cops might not have been have been the best idea to throw into production considering the mounting tension with police in the US, though considerations like these weren't as common in 2014.
The movie follows two men impersonating law enforcement, using it to their advantage, and messing around with guns, and it comes off a little misguided and totally ignores current social issues. Even if it is supposed to make viewers see these guys as idiots, what they’re doing is depicted as cool, even when they find themselves in a mix-up with the mob.