Boiler Room might be a film that female viewers won't quite understand. Its subject matter of greed and searching for a father's acceptance is so naturally in tune with the male mind that some women might find the movie a little sexist. Men who see this film will be able to identify with it, the actions of the characters seeming to be the only logical, possible choice, while women in the audience will want to question the behavior of some of the characters in the film.
There admittedly is a strong undercurrent of chauvinism running throughout the film, as well as a bit of racism. The characters in the film constantly insult each other, throw around racial epithets, disrespect women, and get into barroom brawls. But the writer-director of the film, newcomer Ben Younger, does not portray these things gratuitously; he is showing us this behavior not to glorify it but to admonish those who would follow it. This movie does not glamorize sexism and greed; it discourages such practices.
Seth, the main character of the film played by Giovanni Ribisi, does not engage in such offensive conduct as his companions. He is the shining example we are supposed to relate to. While Seth's friends speak derogatorily of different races and women, Seth remains quiet, careful to avoid joining them in their tirades. In one scene, Seth and his drinking buddies are out at a restaurant, celebrating Seth's recent promotion and causing a ruckus. When a group of gay men at the table next to them ask them to keep it down, a fight almost breaks out. Because it is Seth's party, bloodshed is narrowly avoided; insults are exchanged but not punches. But if Seth had not stopped them, a melee surely would have ensued.
The movie follows Seth as he moves up through a small brokerage firm, learning the ropes about selling stock to people over the phone. Seth gets wrapped up in the fast pace of the job, a lust for money growing in him with each sale he makes and each commission he earns. He falls in love with the feeling of power he gets when he convinces someone to buy from him.
What he is really fighting for is a meaningful relationship. Making friends with the people he works with (an able ensemble including Ben Affleck, Tom Everett Scott, Scott Caan, and Vin Diesel) comes easily to Seth, but these friendships are meaningless, based solely on avarice. Seth also becomes involved with the secretary for the firm. However the thing that matters most to him is his father's love. Seth only took the job in the first place to improve their relationship, and all he longs for is his father to say that he is proud of him. Ribisi is able to convey a wide range of emotions in his character, from angst to anger, and the talent he displays proves that Ribisi will be a mainstay in Hollywood for years to come.
Slowly Seth begins to question the lifestyle he leads. He visits one of his co-workers at his humongous mansion, and as he enters, he marvels at its size. But once inside the house he sees the truth as he walks through several completely empty rooms before finding several of his friends sitting on one couch staring at a big screen TV. Seth stares at the blank walls and realizes that this life is not for him.
At the same time Seth has started to wonder why business at his firm is so profitable. He snoops around a little and discovers that all might not be as it seems at the firm, that it is all just a scam. But he is reluctant to blow the whistle on anyone, knowing that it would put an end to both the flow of money which he has become accustomed to and his father's newfound satisfaction with him. Seth ignores his conscience for a while, falling deeper and deeper into his greed, before finally deciding to do the right thing.
Filmmaker Ben Younger creates a multi-layered story in this film, and the cast led by Giovanni Ribisi provides depth to the characters he has created. While women may be turned off by the male-centered nature of this film, Boiler Room stands as a film that gives insight into the minds of its characters while still being entertaining, and I highly recommend it.
