The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
The movie The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) was directed and produced by Brian De Palma. It follows the story of Sherman McCoy, a wealthy bond trader on Wall Street who indulges in lavish living and receives sexual favors from Maria Ruskin, a gold digger from the South. While driving back to Maria’s apartment from JFK Airport, they accidentally end up in the dangerous South Bronx area. As they attempt to move a tire blocking their way, Sherman is confronted by two African American teenagers. In a panic, Maria speeds in reverse and runs over one of the boys before driving away. Though initially wanting to report the incident to the police, Maria convinces Sherman not to for fear of their affair being exposed publicly.
Meanwhile, alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow, eager to please his editor, stumbles upon the hit-and-run case which has become a cause for the black community. The community is calling upon Jewish district attorney Abe Weiss, who happens to be running for re-election as Bronx District Attorney. As pointed out by Judge Leonard White, DA Weiss has a track record of prosecuting mostly black and Puerto Rican defendants with the majority ending up in prison. In an effort to win over the minority-majority community and secure their votes, Weiss is in search of a white defendant. This would ultimately help him gain favorable press coverage and portray himself as a defender of minorities, thus increasing his chances of becoming the mayor of New York City. And it just so happens that Sherman, who was identified as the owner of the car involved in the hit-and-run, fits this criteria perfectly.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Tom HanksSherman McCo  Bruce WillisPeter Fallow  Melanie GriffithMaria Ruskin  Morgan FreemanJudge Leonard White  Kim CattrallJudy McCoy  Saul RubinekJed Kramer  Alan KingArthur Ruskin |
The movie The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) was directed and produced by Brian De Palma. It follows the story of Sherman McCoy, a wealthy bond trader on Wall Street who indulges in lavish living and receives sexual favors from Maria Ruskin, a gold digger from the South. While driving back to Maria’s apartment from JFK Airport, they accidentally end up in the dangerous South Bronx area. As they attempt to move a tire blocking their way, Sherman is confronted by two African American teenagers. In a panic, Maria speeds in reverse and runs over one of the boys before driving away. Though initially wanting to report the incident to the police, Maria convinces Sherman not to for fear of their affair being exposed publicly.
Meanwhile, alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow, eager to please his editor, stumbles upon the hit-and-run case which has become a cause for the black community. The community is calling upon Jewish district attorney Abe Weiss, who happens to be running for re-election as Bronx District Attorney. As pointed out by Judge Leonard White, DA Weiss has a track record of prosecuting mostly black and Puerto Rican defendants with the majority ending up in prison. In an effort to win over the minority-majority community and secure their votes, Weiss is in search of a white defendant. This would ultimately help him gain favorable press coverage and portray himself as a defender of minorities, thus increasing his chances of becoming the mayor of New York City. And it just so happens that Sherman, who was identified as the owner of the car involved in the hit-and-run, fits this criteria perfectly.
