The intense soundtrack of Boiler Room is a fitting underscore for this movie; which pulses with the vigor of young; rich; amoral men wreaking havoc. This is not the antisocietal havoc of Fight Club; but the more deliberate mayhem that comes from greed run amok. The testosterone-junkie brokers of J.T. Marlin (the only female in the office is Abby; the receptionist and love interest; played by Nia Long) are out to make the sale; and whether that sale is legal or ethical doesn't matter.

Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi) is a 19-year-old college dropout who strives for approval from his father (Ron Rifkin); a judge who is horrified that his son operates a 24-hour illicit casino. When an old friend visits the casino with a fellow broker; Davis is impressed by their wads of money and yellow Ferrari; and decides to join the firm. In no time he's making sales and settling into the groove of the office and all the after-hours perks; but the dream fades when Davis discovers the scam that is making all of the brokers wealthy beyond their dreams.

Borrowing heavily from Wall Street and Glengarry Glen Ross; Boiler Room is at its best when dealing with matters of money; and powerful scenes of Davis learning to be a "closer" showcase the significant talent of Ribisi; Nicky Katt; and Vin Diesel. The movie flounders when developing the relationship between Davis and his father; becoming sentimental and trite. However; as a fable of modern society and a nostalgic vehicle about the days of yuppies past; Boiler Room is right on the money. --Jenny Brown