The Bonfire of the Vanities

The Bonfire of the Vanities is a 1990 movie directed by Brian De Palma, starring Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, and Morgan Freeman. It is based on the bestselling novel by Tom Wolfe, which explores the themes of greed, lust, and deceit in 1980s New York City. The movie follows the story of Sherman McCoy, a successful Wall Street bond trader who has it all - wealth, success, and a beautiful mistress, Maria Ruskin. However, one fateful night, Sherman and Maria take a wrong turn on the expressway and find themselves in the dangerous South Bronx. After a confrontation with two black teenagers, Maria accidentally runs over one of them, and they flee the scene, leaving the injured boy to die. The incident sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals out of control. A down-and-out reporter, Peter Fallow, seizes upon the story and exploits it to further his own career. Opportunistic politicians and religious leaders also climb aboard, using the tragedy to further their own agendas. As the story gains momentum, Sherman's life begins to unravel, and he finds himself at the center of a media frenzy. The movie explores themes of race, class, and corruption, and it features a strong supporting cast, including Kim Cattrall, Saul Rubinek, and Geraldo Rivera in a cameo appearance. It was adapted for the screen by screenwriter Michael Cristofer, who previously worked with De Palma on the hit movie "Scarface." Despite its strong cast and timely themes, "The Bonfire of the Vanities" received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its satirical humor and others finding it overly simplistic and heavy-handed. However, it remains a thought-provoking and entertaining film that offers a glimpse into the darker side of 1980s excess and greed.

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as The Bonfire of the Vanities include Tango & Cash, Forrest Gump, When Harry Met Sally..., Dazed and Confused, The Player, Maverick.

The Bonfire of the Vanities was released in theaters on December 21, 1990.