DCSIMG
 
 

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Brian De Palma's Hollywood sanitization of Tom Wolfe's scabrous satire stars Tom Hanks as Sherman McCoy, the "master of the universe," a shallow Wall Street investor who makes millions while enjoying the good life and the sexual favors of Maria Ruskin (Melanie Griffith), a Southern belle golddigger. Sherman and Maria are driving back to Maria's apartment from the airport when Maria takes a wrong turn on the expressway and the two find themselves in the South Bronx. She sees a black youth approaching Sherman's car and Maria, frightened, guns the engine, running over the teenager and killing him. The two drive away and decide not to report the accident to the police. Meanwhile, indigent alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow (Bruce Willis), anxious for a story to make good with his editor, comes upon the hit-and-run tale through local black community activist, Reverend Bacon (John Hancock). Bacon plans to use the hit-and-run case as a rallying point for the black community, while Fallow recognizes the press coverage inherent in prosecuting the callow Sherman. As Sherman is brought to his knees, the New York community fragments into different factions who use the case to suit their own cynical political purposes. Finally, Sherman is left without any allies to support him except for the sympathetic Judge White (Morgan Freeman) and the remorseful Fallow. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, (more)
Director(s):
Brian De Palma
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of The Bonfire of the Vanities

Brian De Palma's Hollywood sanitization of Tom Wolfe's scabrous satire stars Tom Hanks as Sherman McCoy, the "master of the universe," a shallow Wall Street investor who makes millions while enjoying the good life and the sexual favors of Maria Ruskin (Melanie Griffith), a Southern belle golddigger. Sherman and Maria are driving back to Maria's apartment from the airport when Maria takes a wrong turn on the expressway and the two find themselves in the South Bronx. She sees a black youth approaching Sherman's car and Maria, frightened, guns the engine, running over the teenager and killing him. The two drive away and decide not to report the accident to the police. Meanwhile, indigent alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow (Bruce Willis), anxious for a story to make good with his editor, comes upon the hit-and-run tale through local black community activist, Reverend Bacon (John Hancock). Bacon plans to use the hit-and-run case as a rallying point for the black community, while Fallow recognizes the press coverage inherent in prosecuting the callow Sherman. As Sherman is brought to his knees, the New York community fragments into different factions who use the case to suit their own cynical political purposes. Finally, Sherman is left without any allies to support him except for the sympathetic Judge White (Morgan Freeman) and the remorseful Fallow. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
126 mins

Complete Cast of The Bonfire of the Vanities


Director(s):
Brian De Palma
Writer(s):
Michael Cristofer
Producer(s):
Brian De Palma
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Not For Children, Profanity, Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Violence)
Categories:
Comedy
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of The Bonfire of the Vanities?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
 
Buy Previously Viewed   $3.19
(disc only) 

 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (10)
     
    Thomas W.

    I believe this to be probably the most under rated films of all times. Possibly due to political correctness.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Pete G.

    This is the only movie I know of that was considered so bad that a book was written about just how bad it was. I enjoyed the movie from the first viewing and finally decided to read the book. Be aware, these are two totally different stories from the same source. Maybe this is the failure of the move but I've seen "better" movies miss the mark by a lot further. Griffin is a bit over the top (accent almost painful) and Willis is straight out of Hudson Hawk but Hanks, Freeman, Abraham, and even Saul Rubinek and Alan King have nothing to apologize for. OK, maybe Hanks should apologize to his wife for associating her name with such a stinker. What I do find interesting is that in all the "popular" success Tom Hanks has enjoyed in recent years (read: Since Forest Gump), I've never heard an interviewer mention this movie. Lemme see . . "We can talk about 'Bosom Buddies' but 'Bonfire' is off the table ?" I really liked this movie but I don't expect the majority to agree with me.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jeff R.

    I haven't read the book, though after seeing the movie it is now on my To Read list. I enjoyed the film; a bit over the top and campy, but the point was to get some jabs in, which it did with effect.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 10 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
        2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation.   2013 Rovi Corporation.