Seize the Day (1986)

Trader's Film Library #18 · Markets and trading in fiction. A portrait of a man looking to the market for salvation.

Original title: Seize the Day · Type: film · Created by: Fielder Cook · Usefulness for traders: ★★☆☆☆

What it's about

Tommy Wilhelm (Robin Williams), a man after a series of failures in life, entrusts his last money to a dubious “adviser” who speculates in commodities. Based on the novel by Saul Bellow.

What it has to do with markets

The speculation storyline (in the novel, lard futures) is the backdrop for a portrait of a man who seeks rescue in a quick profit and hands his decisions to someone else.

Lessons for traders

• don't hand responsibility for your decisions to an “expert” (authority bias, Atlas of biases #30)
• money you can't afford to lose shouldn't go into the market
• desperation is the worst adviser (the break-even effect, Atlas of biases #35)

What to watch out for

A psychological drama, with the market in the background.

Discussion

The discussion takes place in Hetman Capital Club (in Polish). Join the discussion in the Club →

Navigation

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The description outlines the plot without revealing the ending where possible (true stories have a known outcome). Educational content, not investment advice.