The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002)

My New Favorite Movie...

October Sky used to be my favorite film. With Tucker, The Man And His Dream" a close second. And it's still a close call. Why? Because "OS", "Tucker" and "The First $20 Mil" are the only films I've ever seen that are about MAKING something.

Think about it. There are so few decent business movies out there. Working Girl? Yes, it's good, but it's really about deal-making. The Secret Of My Success? Determination and risk-taking. Barbarians At The Gates? Deal-making with a little sales mixed in. Tommy Boy? Sales. Wall Street? Good film, but again it's about deal-making and speculation in the market, and, the ending is bad--it villifies business people. What else is there that isn't about blowing things up (James Bond), or stealing (Gone In 60 Seconds) or just killing everybody (The Godfather)? What else glorifies the entrepreneur and the productive genius? Not much.

I love October Sky. Four kids against all odds -- detractors and non-supportive families -- in a coal mining town, who learn math, rocket dynamics and some other skills... and they succeed big time! I love it because there are so few movies where people actually learn how to make something and win! And because of this success, they go on succeeding into their adult lives. But their production is partially based on theft (when each time they could have easily asked permission), and the overall tone is occasionally a bit dreary.

I love Tucker as well. For the same reasons. But in the end, while Preston and his guys design the greatest car ever built, he gives up. They only manage to produce 50--most of which are still on the road today. His start-up is based on B.S.--a lot of it. And Tucker's own philosophy, at least the movie's presentation of it toward the end, was laced with a smidge of altruism.

"The First $20 Million..." has none of those negatives. The movie is uniformly positive throughout. The goals are positive, the methods are positive, and unlike some of the other reviewers here I don't see any of the people in the story as misfits. Quite the opposite. They are each in their own way productive geniuses. They are interesting. Perhaps monomaniacal at times. But unique. They don't blend into the background. You can tell them apart from one another.

Okay, sure it's light entertainment. But it's also light-hearted. Let me just tell you that in the face of all odds, these people find a way to do it! Anything else I could tell you about the story, or the people in it would simply ruin the surprise.

If you personally carry around a good philosophy to begin with, and are looking for a little psychological fuel to pick you up, take a couple hours and enjoy this movie. Anyone with a desire to make things, anyone with productive values of their own, just can't feel anything but good after watching this film. July 19, 2008

They have to make a computer under 100

These misfits said they can create the best computer on the market. And they do. A litle romance too. January 2, 2008

Poor adaption of the original book

The movie comes as a bad suprise to me after reading the book. The movie is far from what the actual story is ( The First $20 Million is Always the Hardest: A Novel ).
While the book sounded like an articulate description of a typical Silicon Valley startup, the movie appeared like a Disneyland version of it. Far from reality and some strictly out of place comedy makes it a disappointing two hours experience. July 3, 2007

good film

this film was good. if you like to watch films about young people making it to the top then this one is excellent. also try the secret of my success starring michael j fox. November 4, 2006

Excellent for the whole PC World

This is an excellent movie ideal for those PC gurus and wannabes alike to hold on to. September 19, 2005

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