Valentine's sudden 'knowledge'

I think what the film was trying to portray is that there is very little to what stockbrokers actually do; it is socially legitimized, super-highly paid con artistry. And that the only real difference between Valentine and the Dukes is the genetic lottery of where they were born and to which parents.

Valentine quickly figures out what the Dukes do and how they appease their customers, and he adapts immediately.

Duke 1: They place their orders with us and we buy or sell their gold for them.

Duke 2: Tell him the good part.

Duke 1: The good part is that no matter whether our clients make money, or lose money, Duke & Duke get the commissions.

Duke 2: Well, what do you think, Valentine?

Valentine: Sounds to me like you guys are a couple of bookies.

Duke 1: I told you he'd understand.


Ha ha, made you look.

I believe it was just horrible luck for the Duke brothers. They contemplated if it was in the blood or the environment. Its an age old question but I think it was shown it was based upon the individual. Winthorp was brilliant and not because he was pampered. Valentine had street smarts but lacked the opportunity. Once exposed to this new world, he picked up on it quickly as he was a judge of character and human emotion.

"Mankind cannot solve the world's problems. Mankind is the problem."

Remember Billy's first day at the brokerage when the Duke brothers are talking to him like he's an idiot explaining how commodities trading works? Murphy breaks the 4th wall for just a second, and at some point says "Sounds to me like y'all are a couple of bookies." I always thought Billy was a quick study because he'd seen the streetwise version of what made the Duke brothers so rich. So they wore handmade suits and such--they were just hustlers too.

There's not really anything to learn.

The Dukes made their money through insider trading. They weren't doing it through knowledge or skill, they were doing it through connections, something Valentine could also do if he had the same connections.

Anyone can win the game if it's rigged in your favor.