Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Awesome Movie

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

F. Ross Johnson (James Garner) is a born salesman and a self-made millionaire. In 1988, he's the wild-spending high-flying CEO of RJR Nabisco. The stock is stubbornly low. He decides to try to take the company private but he's worried about the debt at first. He is eager to promote the revolutionary new smokeless cigarette Premier but then he's told about its problems. Others become attracted to the deal and it becomes a greedy stampede in the search for a leverage buyout.This is a solid depiction of 80s Wall Street. It is all James Garner and he drives this movie with glee. It is top notch HBO although I still want a bit more cinematic style. It would be great to have music from the era. There are plenty of great costars but Garner overshadows them all. This is a big time TV movie.

HBO Films has done it again. This 1993 release is yet another example of why they are one of the greatest producers of telefilms. In this film, James Garner portrays F. Ross Johnson, a crafty CEO who tests the many theories and predictions of the possible success that RJR Nabisco Corporation can have with a "smokeless cigarette" product. A satrical tale that's based on a true story.

I was delighted to stumble on this excellent TV movie late one night. Garner is great as the mega-rich company exec who comes unstuck when he tries to buy his own company. The financial shenanigans are well explained and there's genuine tension in the result. Based on a true story. It's like WALL STREET with laughs. [rating 9

The RJR Nabisco company goes on the selling block, triggering chaos as Wall Street scrambles to take control of the $25 billion empire. A sharp, witty script delivered with panache by a perfect cast, most outstanding Garner and Pryce as the giants going head to head for the company. Larry Gelbart wrote the script. The cast also includes Peter Reigert, Joanna Cassidy and Senator Fred Thompson, who are all wonderful.