MovieChat Forums > Born Rich (2003) Discussion > People who complain about the rich, envy...

People who complain about the rich, envy.

posted 19 years ago by moodyart
26 replies | jump to latest

I realize it is fascinating to wonder what it is like to wish for something and to be able to buy something and not have to blink at the price. Rich kids do not act any differently then most teenagers. They all want to party. The rich may be able to do it more in various countries at will and not having to worry about getting up for work. Do not wonder why rich people are respected .The rich tip well to the service industry. The service industry makes their living from tips. Would you tip your waiter if they acted rude? Those fortunate enough to work for wealthy people in the service industry probably do better then many 9 to 5 'vers. Being in your early twenties and not from a wealthy family forces you to work to survive. Most anybody in their twenties from not a wealthy family who by magic can transform them self into a fortune would probably act in the same manner as those they envy, "the rich." It's human nature to have fun and party. There are very wealthy who have manners as very poor who have those same manners. There are very wealthy that are obnoxious as their are poor that are the same. Rich or poor, all must eat, have bathroom functions and sleep. Happiness lies within. When you can have a positive image of what you would like to be, you will be satisfied. Trying to live up to other peoples expectations will be anyone's downfall. We all must decide how we want to live and most important, be able to look into that mirror and like that face you see. No one has a right to judge someone more harshly because they have wealth as no one of wealth has a right to judge those that are poor.
PS I thought that was a very satisfying movie. It should win an Oscar for the "Documentary" category.

[–] daxer79 19 years ago

I'm from Europe and on my visit to NY, i bought a copy of 'Born rich'. watching the documentary i kept in mind that this documentary was made by a young kid with not much experience.

I saw it and i saw it a second time, this time with the audio comment and all I can say is that this documentary is an extremely honest, brave and courageous thing to make. Wheter you agree on everything that is said or not, that's BEYOND the point. I mean, you can watch a thing on Hitler, and even though you don't agree with what he said, you can still find it a good documentary.

I've started to read the forum on this film and I can't understand how people react. I mean, the rich whine, it's a fact. But guess what, poor people, middle-class people, they all whine and say stupid stuff. It's not a privillege to the rich. If you judge these people because they have money, than you're no better off than those who judge the poor. Like moodyart said, it's a satisfying piece of work from a 21-year old guy who, in the process of making this film, must have lost an awful lot of support from his community and be honest, would you dare to step on the toes of your friends and your parents friends?

Brave, very brave...

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] maprovonsha 19 years ago

Please, let's not feel bad for the rich. They're the only minority that isn't persecuted. You can make a blanket statement about everyone that resents the rich, and you may be right regarding some people, but for myself, it's not envy-it's a moral repulsion. How can some people hunger while others get sick from over-eating? How can anyone consider the economic inequities of this country moral (from a secular ethics or religious standpoint)?

[–] til_september 19 years ago

Funny that you said that... there are many who live in third world countries that consider all even poor Americans to be rich and self indulgent. Rich is a relative word. I grew up 'rich' in my community and experienced many of these things these rich kids experienced (albeit on a MUCH smaller scale). There were those who just assumed I had everything, those that considered us selfish snobs without trying to get to know us, those who assumed I had no feelings etc.

One example is after my parents divorced when my mother decided to get rid of our nanny and maid. I felt POOR, I was horrified and I withdrew into myself. I wouldn't go to my friends' parties anymore and I told them I couldn't afford to do stuff with them. They never believed me because they couldn't quite grasp the concept of not being able to afford stuff... and we're not talking about stupid people here!

My first realization that I was much like the 'stupid rich' was when I made new friends who I thought were now my type (I am now ashamed of this kind of thinking). We went to one girl's house and they were cooking dinner. Then they needed to reheat something and they used a stove (rather than a microwave). I couldn't understand what was going on- I tried to fit in but stuck out like a sore thumb because I'd never cooked or heated anything without a microwave. (It once took a group of my old friends and I 7 attempts to figure out how to boil an egg in cookery class!)

Just when I thought I'd seen poor, I made a friend who'd never owned a TV- I had always been upset because we only had two TV's in my home- here was someone who'd never even had one! My examples could go on forever.

But then I went to the US to study (I was upset that I couldn't afford one of the better schools- only now do I recognize that I was lucky to afford any). There I met people who eat only what they want and throw away almost full packets of stuff because they are on a diet. I saw people reprint entire documents because on word was missing or misspelt (what a waste!). Most people I met shop for at least one new outfit every season, even if it is from Walmart. And these are all the 'poor' of America.

Poor is a relative word and so is rich. You can't hate all the 'rich' because someone out there in this world thinks you are one of them. As to your question of people being hungry while others are sick from overeating... tell me the last time you ate all the food given to you even when you were full, simply in respect of the starving peoples in the world? Tell me about the last time you sacrificed a meal and gave it to someone else (not because you were in a hurry or on a diet). Moreover, explain to me about all of the obese Americans constantly on the news- are they all rich?

Having been both 'poor' and 'rich' I have to agree with the author- People who complain about the rich, envy!

[–] BrokenHarlot 19 years ago

til september, i have to say that was one of the most perceptive, level-headed assessments of the issue of class, as well as the seemingly connected sub-issues people derive from it, that I have ever heard or read. you have a tremendous sense of who you are and what truly counts to you. I really liked this film. it's rough around the edges but i realize that's because Johnson is new to the craft. I think people who are irked by it react that way for all the wrong reasons, and i agree that envy is a huge one no one wants to admit to. My family and i are neither poor nor rich; i would like to and plan to be rich one day but for now why should I waste energy hating people simply because they have things a lot better than i do. of course some of them have nasty attitudes, or simply come across as being pompous for simply talking about their lives. Everyone is different and for some of these kids spending $800 on a bottle of champagne is like buying bologna from the 99 cent store. I'm glad there are affluent young people like Jamie Johnson who realize what they can do with the resources available to them, and choose to nurture their creative sensibilities with their money. suffice it to say, there can be really undesirable human beings on either end of the economic spectrum.

[–] kay_cee_d 11 years ago

I think everyone has problems. I don't think it helps to think that we're the only ones who experience pain. Just because someone is rich doesn't mean they don't have problems. Doesn't mean they haven't had their hearts broken or that their parents don't appreciate them. We don't know their lives, we don't TRULY know their lives. They could suffer from terrible panic attacks or feel inadequate and underserving. It isn't fair to assume that money solves every single problem in life. Sure, it helps you in the long run but money doesn't bring you love or happiness.

[–] goodbyeenemyairship 9 years ago

I agree that it's all relative, but your parents (or nanny or whatever) straight up failed you based on what you've said here.

[–] savvysearch 19 years ago

Cody Franchetti said something like there is no point in feeling guilty about being rich. Yet that is the comment that seems to infuriate people. But really, most Americans are extremely priviledged. This is the hypocracy of the middle-class. We can say that we struggle to survive in this world, but that is just whining to someone in Vietnam or in many countries in Africa where they consider the average American to be wealthy. When one believes that the rich should feel guilty about being born rich, they should ask themselves the same question about their status.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] evas_protege 17 years ago

i will be completely honest, i completely envy the rich. im a child born into an upper-middle class family. i would say i am spoiled. but at the same time, i would kill to be able to be a part of that one percent of the worlds wealthiest. i cant even imagine how great that would be. i envy them one hundred percent. and i know i shouldnt. i look up to them more than anybody i have ever known. and i have no reason to. i dont know them. most of them are probably druggies. most of them are probably not the role model types, but i still admire them.

at the same time, i probably should feel guilty that i have more money than a lot of people. but cody is right, there is no point in feeling guilty, whether it is about being born rich or being born wealthier than certain other people. there is no point in wasting their days away thinking about how they have more money than everyone else.

[–] MysteryReaderReturns 14 years ago

LOL It doesn't diminish the fact that many people in the US live in poverty.

If you hate Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!

[–] AckbartheHutt 16 years ago

but wouldnt it be nice knowing that you didnt have to work or be worried about your future.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Pazuzus_country_singer_cousin 16 years ago

<<Quit being spoon fed by right wing thinking....>>

arent you the same imbecile that defends the pinochet dictatorship. man youre a hypocrite of the worst kind.

"LOS POBRES DE LOS PAISES POBRES SON MAS POBRES QUE LOS POBRES DE LOS PAISES RICOS, YA LOS RICOS DE LOS PAISES POBRES SON TAN RICOS COMO LOS RICOS DE LOS PAISES RICOS."
Galeano.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Pazuzus_country_singer_cousin 16 years ago

Mano, seriously youre a double faced queer troll. What is your deal?

[–] macbethp 7 years ago

Yes. not to be worried about your future, to have a cushion against calamity, would be a gift. And with much less $ than these heirs/heiresses.

[–] grapplernz 16 years ago

Well I'm not jealous of the rich because I hope to have money and my own business some day.

But I'm sure it's more easy for rich guy's to "pull girl's" than it is for poor guy's.

[–] raiderking69 15 years ago

I thought this documentary was interesting, but did I want to be these kids? Nope. I have, as most people have, thought about what it must be like to be rich. Well, the only thing I would change, should I win the lottery or something is I would own a boat. Not a yacht, just a boat with a single sleeper and maybe a TV. I have a great life now, why would I want to change that?

[–] beatbox76 14 years ago

you're an idiot for thinking the way you do and the things you write. there is too much in your statement to make fun of, so, i'll just highlight this little gem......"Do not wonder why rich people are respected .The rich tip well to the service industry." wow.....i must repeat....you are a supreme fool.

p.s. the former statement has no feelings of envy attached...just truth.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] henrimaine 11 years ago

Evas_protege: "i will be completely honest, i completely envy the rich. im a child born into an upper-middle class family."

That's probably because yoy feel like you almost belong among the rich elite (being upper-middle class yourself). People who are from the lower ladders of society probably feel they have nothing in common with the upper class and feel much less envy and admiration towards them.

[–] bob_meg 11 years ago

While I am in no way saying "feel sorry for the rich" one of the key points a lot of people don't understand is that massive wealth (usually) comes with a price...and the older the wealth, the heavier the price.

That price is loss of personal control. Most wealthy families control what their offspring do to the nth degree. Appearance and image are of the utmost importance. Think it must be great having all those servants? Well, many times these people double as spies for the people that pay their salaries (or your trust fund). Think it's awesome having that limitless supply of cash to dip into whenever you want? Well, guess what...it's usually monitored and you'll get called on it if any of your spending is "beyond the norm" or "out of line with other heirs", etc.

Not all families are like this (especially newer ones), but think about this: why has Jamie not made any more movies in six years? And that sucks, because I really believe his heart's in the right place....but you have to wonder.