Post by rmay99 on Feb 7, 2016 22:20:33 GMT
The American Dream can be construed as a very positive idea in some aspects and a very negative one in others. This is due to the idea that The American Dream is so complex. Some see it as one who toils and fights to achieve success in some way. Others see it as one who is obsessed with material gain and wealth, searching to do all possible to achieve that wealth. The more sleezy, greedy side of The American Dream is seen in the mini-series Madoff, in which the notorious Ponzi Schemer Bernie Madoff is looked at. In summary, the show is based off true events in which Bernie Madoff, a well-known investor, led a gigantic Ponzi Scheme (an underhanded scheme in which investors are promised unrealistic returns on stocks; the firms never truly invest but instead put money into their own bank account and give the investors other investors money that has been interested) This lasted 30 years, ultimately earning Madoff billions of dollars illegally from unsuspecting companies and individuals. This included individual's retirement funds, college funds, and even health funds. Ultimately, the series covers his lavish lifestyle with the money. He has luxorious cars, goes on lovely vacations, cheats on his wife, and lives the ideal life of a rich slimeball. Eventually, his gigantic Ponzi Scheme is found out and he is locked away in prison for life. This whole story shows the idea of The American Dream gone bad. When an individual puts wealth and power so high that it becomes the sole things that matter, life has become very off balanced. The American Dream in this case was something that was never achievable for Madoff. He already had all that he needed as a rich and successful businessman prior to the Ponzi Scheme. In this sense, the directors show how The American Dream of wealth and power is truly unachievable, yet The American Dream of building a life of love for famliy and friends is.
