In business, you find success by being better than the people next to you. That striving for success has inspired a lot of films about competition, perfectionism, and the sacrifice that can come with it. While everyone pursues success in their own way, going too far in that pursuit can be a double-edged sword. Here are three films that explore just that.
The Prestige
The Prestige is one of Christopher Nolan’s underrated gems. It may not have the reputation of Memento or The Dark Knight, but it’s a great, mind-bending story all about competition and sacrifice. As a pair of competing Victorian-era magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) faces off against Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) while trying to perfect a teleportation stunt.
To stand out from the crowd, both men earnestly try to give Victorian audiences the best show. This is something entrepreneurs can relate to, even today. In fact, the internet has made audience satisfaction more crucial than ever since everyone can have their say via reviews. Sites exist that aggregate reviews about products and services, showing consumers who are ahead of the curve. Directories compare the best gadgets on the market, evaluate the best/worst attributes of books on the bestseller lists, or even compare and contrast the best slot sites for digital services like iGaming. Essentially, no matter how broad or niche the industry may be, word-of-mouth has been transformed due to online rating and review systems.
In The Prestige, both magicians are at the mercy of the audience and their expectations. Chasing the next big trick leads Angier to Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), famed for his zany inventions that never reached fruition. One of them works for Angier in this film, as Borden goes to great lengths to figure out how his rival pulls off the impossible feat. By the end, both have made tremendous sacrifices which, the film says, is “the price of a good trick.” Ambitious entrepreneurs and businesspeople, especially those with public-facing positions, can get a lot from the film.
Phantom Thread
Phantom Thread is a historical drama/romance film following a 1950s fashion designer, Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis, in his last film before announcing retirement). His life revolves around his work, both meticulously planned as he strives for perfection and the satisfaction of his clientele. His perfect streak is broken by Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps), a younger waitress who becomes his muse.
Reynolds’ perfectionism starts to cause problems for them but Alma, different from his past muses, is determined to humble the fashion designer. To attain her perfect idea of a relationship, Alma settles on an unconventional and twisted solution. It brings their relationship into a dark ebb and flow, a sacrifice that Reynolds seems willing to make. The film shows how two people’s perfectionism can butt heads with one another, where Reynolds’ unhealthy work ethic is matched by Alma’s unhealthy need for dependency.
Whiplash
Whiplash tells the story of Andrew Nieman (Miles Teller), an ambitious big band drummer in an orchestra headed by Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). It doesn’t take long for Fletcher’s extreme and abusive methods to surface, as he insists the greats are formed under a lot of pressure. For him, the ends justify the means as he pushes Nieman and the other jazz band members further and further.
With every bout of Simmons’ foul-mouthed, volatile performance, viewers are invited to ask themselves if the juice is worth the squeeze. Undeterred by Fletcher’s outbursts, Nieman continues his tutelage to become one of the greats. By the end, it’s clear that even if Nieman manages to succeed, it’d take a lot of personal sacrifice and serve as a validation of Fletcher’s twisted perspective on success. Given its subject matter, musicians and other creative businesspeople will relate more to this film, as a commentary on pushing people too hard.
