Purpose (2002) User Reviews

A life without purpose is no life at all.

[frankcooperwitz · 6/10 · 17 November 2005]

I find the name of this movie highly compelling. It got me thinking about the purpose of my life. I think the message of this film is an important one. It might not be everyone's cup of tea but there is something significant to take away from this high-tech tale.

I thought the photography in the movie was really stunning and I would love to see more moves with Mr. Donovan in them. He strikes me as being a real talent.

I recognized the famous fisherman story cleverly woven into this movie. That is one of the best stories in the world. I am glad someone has paid tribute to this clever story.

You should see this film when you are in a soul searching mood.

Don't hate the director. Hate the movie.

[=G= · 5/10 · 6 October 2003]

About the only good thing I can say about "Purpose" is it does try to deliver a message about what's important in life on the heels of a boom/bust cycle of a new generation of materialistic status-oriented X-gen yuppies with dot-coms in their eyes. As a film, "Purpose" tries too hard to be hip with a script packed with buzz words and comtempo cliches and some guy who looks like Ray Liotta's kid as an upwardly mobile hotshot Bill Gates wannabee in the lead. Obviously the product of a newbie auteur, "Purpose" doesn't build much depth in its characters, is waaaay too cute, and seems to be little more than a slick new wrapper on an old story. Pass on this one unless maybe you're a computer geek who aspires to be another Micheal Dell or Steve Jobs. (C)

TYPICAL MOVIE

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 28 May 2019]

This is your typical movie of sudden success messing up a guy's life because he can't handle the sudden fortune and then realizing he needed to get back to the basics and hoping it is not too late. The difference in this story it is of the [...] era, when worthless stocks sold for $100 a share and NASDAQ was over 5,000.

Language, drugs, sexual situations, brief nudity? It has the feel of an after school special.

Remember, rich people are evil, they all do drugs and have sex with multiple beautiful women.

average film ... extraordinary soundtrack

[jamiebrodskey · 23 May 2004]

Truthfully, there is not a whole lot to say about Purpose. It is your typical dramatic, yet entertaining, exploration of a generation during the dot.com boom. But what is an otherwise middling film is incredibly enhanced by the awesome music.

I believe that the director actually scored the film --- and while the score is cool, the really great music is found in the soundtrack. The music supervisor clearly culled through every musical nook and crannie to find these gems. In fact, the musical choices serve dual roles: it works effectively as backgorund mood and also really enhances the dramatic, comedic and emotional effects of the film. In some ways you could say that the musical soundtrack becomes a character in the film, much like a Greek chorus from the classic plays.

Anyway, the film is fun and definitely worth watching. Paul Reiser, who I normally find annoying, is actually great in the role of Ben.

Final Tally ---- Film 6 ---- Sound Track 10.

Star-Spangled Greed

[Lechuguilla · 2/10 · 29 December 2008]

That this film has such a low IMDb rating is not surprising. In our post-Enron era, do we really need any more reminders of America's obsession with the greed creed? The topic has become so politically charged that a lot of viewers not only are not going to be entertained by movies of this sort, but will respond with barely concealed rage. It was all I could do to sit quietly through this cinematic memo of corporate corruption without extracting the DVD and smashing it into a thousand pieces.

What's really irksome with these kinds of films, including "Purpose", is their pretense that behind the glitter, there's some meaningful message that makes the film worthwhile. In "Purpose", I found no such meaningful message. What I did find was a story that idolized the materialistic trappings of capitalistic power and wealth. The two main characters, nauseating in their glibness, do very little actual work. Instead, they party, they play golf, they strut their coolness, they sound "hip" with dialogue straight out of MTV-culture-speak: "rock my world", and "Now get back to partying; that's an order". John is smug, self-important, shallow, and smirks a lot. Robert, who wears funky little glasses, is even worse.

The film includes two youthful garage geeks, who look and sound like they're right out of the film "Antitrust" (2001). Stereotypes are played for all they're worth, and in this film also include chic-looking computer equipment, and Barbie doll chicks on hand for those occasions when our can-do future billionaires need some relaxation after all that heavy-duty partying. And with the time-bound images and dialogue that such a story necessitates, can you imagine how dated this film will be in fifteen years?

About the best I can do for this waste of cinematic celluloid is to say that it does have some nice aerial views of San Francisco. The film would have been a lot more enjoyable, a lot more entertaining, if they had ditched those odious characters and that repulsive story, and simply flown us viewers around in that little plane for the film's duration.

Not even good enough to be bad

[craig.duncan · 2/10 · 10 October 2004]

Ham-handed homage to honest hacking. Felt good in a soft-core way about equivalent to its mild pornography, until its vapid lack of technical and economic reality, emotional and moral sophistication became apparent.

Basically a muddled '90s remake of '85's "Real Genius", with fewer and stupider geniuses, and a cynical bad ending.

Perhaps this movie would appeal to someone delighted by the thesis that becoming a billionaire is so easy it's almost accidental. Or perhaps to technical types who like seeing themselves depicted as cool and sexy. Speculating about the reasons someone might like this movie is certainly more interesting than the movie itself. The movies closing credits song is more interesting than the movie itself.

The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game

[wes-connors · 3/10 · 12 January 2009]

Computer savvy John Light (as John Elias) goes from Stanford drop-out to successful young Dotcom-era tycoon. But, Mr. Light's sneering success could be short-lived, with partners like ambitious Jeffrey Donovan (as Robert Jennings). Mr. Donovan used to bed down with Light's girlfriend, Megan Dodds (as Lisa Forrester). Donovan wants Light to know that binge drinking and casual sex don't have to end in college. After reading a naughty Internet sex session, Ms. Dodds shines Light on. He may lose is "Digital Dreams" Internet empire, too! Veterans unsuccessfully trying to lending dramatic gravitas include red lollipop-sucking Mia Farrow (as Anna Simmons) and quick-drawing, computer-hating Hal Holbrook (as Tom Walker). Ms. Farrow looks sweet with her lollipops.

*** Purpose (2/21/02) Alan Lazar ~ John Light, Jeffrey Donovan, Mia Farrow

Pretty true account of a dot.com story

[edge-7 · 7/10 · 1 August 2001]

Purpose, as a whole, does a good job of showing how money, power, and life in the fast lane during the dot.com boom in San Francisco can corrupt even those with good intentions. Jeffery Donovan (Robert) is great as the smooth talking deal closer that visionary John Elias (newcomer John Light) hires to help start the company. Paul Reiser, hardly recognizable as the mentor and friend to John, is funny and adds a lot to the film. Mia Farrow looks stunning, yet believable as the financial mogul out to make some money off the new company. Hal Holbrook and Peter Coyote add to the film, if nothing else than recognizable faces and steady acting. The film looks amazing, with fantastic shots of San Francisco and creative interiors that dominate the new money internet offices. Could be a sleeper hit if all the people who lost their jobs in the dot.com bust want to re-live it. It has a deep meaning behind the story of quality over quantity. I'd recommend it.

The best, most articulate, summary of the dotbomb era produced.

[imdb-18795 · 10/10 · 13 July 2007]

The best summary of the dotbomb era yet produced. Unfortunately, the appeal of this very articulate movie will always be very narrow. Those who were not caught up in the dotcom scam will probably not understand the profundity of the points presented. But for those of us Silicon Valley folk who were caught up in the explosive hypergrowth of the late 1990s, this movie serves as an excellent synopsis of what turned out to be one of the biggest equities scams in human history. Some of the most intelligent people on the planet lost sight of their live's goals and purpose, putting sustainable ventures on hold in pursuit of the quick score, gambling sustainable lifestyles in pursuit of the big win, sinking life savings (and kids' college funds, home equity, etc) in speculative ventures and questionable ideas, then losing everything when the sharks pulled out and the pyramid collapsed around those not smart enough to have pulled out.

Purpose. Awesome move, a must see for anyone in the technology field, or for anyone who lived through the insanity of the dotbomb scam.

A young man struggles to remain true to himself in the fast paced world of internet start ups.

[malcolm1317 · 10/10 · 23 February 2002]

A top notch movie from beginning to end. Excellent direction, very good acting, cinematography, editing and a great score. The story of greed and temptation in the late 90's world of internet start ups is moving and probably true a thousand times over. The film manages to communicate important themes while at the same time being funny, romantic and always entertaining. Highly recommende

You may have lived through a similar story

[taniaschwartz · 10/10 · 6 February 2002]

Purpose really captures the heart of the whole dotcom era - passion, ideals, greed, and power - with great style and good old-fashioned drama. I love Mia Farrow in this role. Watch for that red lollipop! Eat your heart out Woody.

A truly unique and uplifting movie!

[lior-6 · 9/10 · 11 February 2002]

A movie with a purpose! This movie is fresh, vibrant and fast paced. It tackles many social issues surrounding the moral and ethical values of our society. The struggle between good and bad is uniquely blurred, portraying the movie's hero in both roles. Commentaries on money, friendships and one's priorities are brilliantly intertwined into the intriguing plot. The viewer leaves the movie with a very powerful message that lingers on long after the credits have finished.... What is My purpose? Flameboy gives this one a Sizzling 9

Well-told rags to riches story for the Cyber generation

[bsbfsu · 7 February 2002]

How do you measure success? By winning "the game"? This film does an excellent job of posing that question in the milieu of smart, driven, talented 20something cyberkings who make (and lose) it all in a high tech high stakes poker game. Who's bluffing and who's really got what it takes? "Purpose" is smart, funny, fast paced and right on top of its subject matter.

An updated combination of `Wall Street ` and `Glengarry Glenn Ross'

[dsturisky · 9/10 · 25 March 2002]

Purpo$e is a roller coaster ride through the lifecycle of a dot.com company, during the recent bull market. The film is particularly relevant, and perfectly well timed, given, the recent Enron / Andersen disasters.

Purpose is slick and stylish, and should appeal to audiences who appreciate a good story line, excellent dialogue, great camera work, along with a terrific score. This movie is much better than most of the usual trash that is spewed out of Hollywood year after year.

Purpo$e is an updated combination of `Wall Street ` and `Glengarry Glenn Ross' - greed and excess, along with the implied (although maybe not maliciously intended) `con is always on'. It is both entertaining, and thought provoking, which is a rare combination for any type of film.

Purpo$e forces you to examine the decisions of otherwise intelligent, rational and sophisticated investors (and individuals), during the 90s..and what's particularly interesting is that maybe this analysis is actually introspection on ourselves.

My favorite scene, was John Elias attempting to convince a Mexican fisherman how, he could catch more fish, in order to be able to do exactly what he was already doing - standing on a beach fishing.

Look out for some clever, well placed cameos (Ronnie Apteker) amongst others.

Congratulations to Alan & Ronnie, and everyone involved for a great piece of work.

Fast paced, stimulating and inspiring view of the business world while allowing for introspective examination

[gregc-1 · 9/10 · 13 February 2002]

Not since "Wall Street" has a movie about business been this intriguing and exciting. The characters are real and easily related to; with a script that is cerebral and snares you into the film. The film is fast paced, inspiring and really captures the mood around the hype of dot com start-ups of the mid 1990's.

Well put together film with a great story.

[shadlor · 10/10 · 18 September 2001]

This film does a great job of telling an interesting story without throwing in a bunch of nonsense to fill time. The musical score is original and beautiful while not being a distraction to the scenes. It is nice to see a script with a little bit of honor in it but not over-flowing with Hollywood cheese.

Deeply disturbing, thought provoking and very entertaining

[howard-34 · 10/10 · 11 February 2002]

This movie is unique and cutting edge - it blurs the distinction betweeen, good and bad and right and wrong, it calls us all to question our values, our ambitions and our dreams - how does one reconcile money and values - are we all sucked into the pursuit of the wrong dreams - who do we trust - can we even trust ourselves - the seduction of success does it corrupt us.

Very entertaining in a thought provoking manner - you walk out with much to think about and a desire to examine much of our own personalites.

Provocative and stylish.

[TIS001 · 9/10 · 11 February 2002]

This movie had a purpose. It got me thinking about the purpose of my life, and it did so with energy, colour and style. The story is fast and exciting, and the dialog is very clever. A very good piece of story telling about the dot com era of easy come, easy go.

In a time of hype and a need for message...

[lafboy · 7 February 2002]

I liked this story very much, especially in a time where greed and money seem to be the front page themes of our national headlines lately. Purpo$e did a good job of posing the question to it's audience, "Why do you do what you do?" It looked amazing and the pace was sharp. I especially enjoyed Hal Holbrook as the Old Money Tycoon. Alan Lazar did a very good job in his feature debut and I look forward to his future projects.

This film captures the excitement of the dot com world with the pace and intrigue of 'Wall Street'

[gregc-1 · 9/10 · 11 February 2002]

Excellent script - intelligent and stimulating. The characters are real and easily identified with. A truely solid production. Very few movies are able to capture the excitement of business and deal making - this movie explores the different traits of business, relationships, and the passion that helped raise the hype around dot com start-ups to ridiculous measures in the 1990's. In one word - inspiring.

Highly provocative.

[mikedorfman2004 · 9 January 2004]

I saw this movie recently - I had heard about it via the grapevine and was not sure what to expect - I was very impressed. The art direction in this movie was excellent and the story line kept me interested all the way through. The main song that was featured a few times was very catchy. All in all I thought it was a highly provocative movie with an important message. We all need a sense of purpose.