The Bonfire of the Vanities

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)

  • 23% of critics liked it
    (31 reviews)

  • 27% of users liked it
    (11,733 ratings)

Brian De Palma's Hollywood sanitization of Tom Wolfe's scabrous satire stars Tom Hanks as Sherman McCoy, the "master of the universe," a shallow Wall Street investor who makes millions while enjoying the good life and the sexual favors of Maria Ruskin (Melanie Griffith), a Southern… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Genres
Comedy
In Theaters
Dec 21, 1990 Wide
Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Has more embarrassing moments than good ones.

  • Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

    Ugh, what a dog.

  • Paul Schrodt, Slant Magazine

    De Palma's characterizations may not have the subtle tongue-in-cheek wit of Tom Wolfe, but his version of the story is both more comic and angrier for it.

  • Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

    An interesting failure that's not as bad as its reputation. Speaks a lot of truth, but the tone is too broad.

  • Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

    Michael Cristofer's screenplay eviscerates Tom Wolfe's forceful work of social criticism of its moral meaning.

Read all 8 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Ken S


    Bonfire of the Vanities is not the tumbling shit-fest you've been told it is. In fact the film is pretty funny and shot really nicely. It's not without it's flaws, Hanks is a bit mis cast and Kim Cattrall is downright terrible. It's no American Psycho, but if… More

  • Conner R


    In no way is it the disaster that most people claim it to be. In fact, itā??s actually a very well done criticism of the 80s yuppie lifestyle as well as racism, sex and politics. You have to feel sorrow for Tom Hanksā?? Sherman McCoy, who accidentally gets himself into the biggest… More

  • Dean M


    Tom Wolfe's novel has been shaped into a trivial, cartoon-style movie by director Brian De Palma. This savage comedy is ridiculous and worst film with Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith I ever saw as well as their characters aren't very interesting.

  • Dann M


    From Brian De Palma comes the satirical comedy The Bonfire of the Vanities. Based on an acclaimed novel, the story follows a Wall Street bond trader who's involved in a hit and run accident that becomes sensationalizes by a muckraker journalist. The cast includes Tom Hanks,… More

  • Hal M


    Disappointing adaptation of Wolfe's absorbing novel. Tom Hanks is a poor choice to play the hard-driving "Master of the Universe"; other casting sucks too. Read the book.

Also available on

UltraViolet Retailers

Other Retailers

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (107)

Trailers & Clips