The Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur is a compelling 2009 documentary that depicts the life journey of the intriguing self-made mogul Malcolm Bricklin, who made a reputation for his relentless passion for innovation, ingenuity, and generating bold ideas. Emerging as a successful automotive entrepreneur, Bricklin brought two major automotive brands into the American market, Subaru and Yugo. The documentary takes the audience on a fascinating ride across the ins and outs of entrepreneurship while focusing on Bricklin's venture to launch a new, eco-friendly car company in China.

The film starts by taking viewers through Bricklin's early entrepreneurial pursuits, including founding Subaru of America in the 1960s and later launching the Yugo car in America in the 1980s, both of which significantly influenced the American automotive industry. The Entrepreneur captures the essence of Bricklin's disruptive mindset and inherent drive to formulate strategies that challenge the status quo.

Measured through the lens of director Jonathan Bricklin, Malcolm Bricklin's son, The Entrepreneur is far from a straightforward tale about business challenges and commercial triumphs. Instead, the film more personally invokes the theme of father-son relationships asserting a compelling narrative about generational conflict, understanding, and rectangles.

Adding an intimate element to the story, the film incorporates the perspective of Jalal Redwan Rahman, aka "Red," Bricklin's son-in-law, and the film's co-producer. Not only are audience members led into the heart of the adventurous business world, but they are also allowed a brief peek into the family dynamics that circle around the sphere of entrepreneurship.

The first half of the documentary establishes Bricklin's business chronicles and provides flashbacks of his earlier ventures. It then transitions toward his ambitious endeavor in China. Bricklin intends to introduce a new, environmentally-friendly car backed by Chinese manufacturers: the Chery car. He envisions transforming the global automotive industry with this new, green-technology-based entrant.

The documentary attempts to highlight the day-to-day maneuvering through different challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and high stakes negotiations. This offers substantial insight into the rigorous process and large scale of international business deals. For anyone curious about the reality of entrepreneurship and what it takes to bring big ideas to life, The Entrepreneur offers a real-time experience filled with optimism, despair, triumph, and failure.

Possessing an ear for subtlety and an eye for the quietly dramatic, the director beautifully executes the vision of the big scenes. The success of The Entrepreneur rests heavily on the complexity and charisma of its central subject. Malcolm Bricklin proves to be an engaging screen presence. His eccentric yet commendable entrepreneurial spirit, confidence that often teeters on the hubris, and directness that can be perceived as abrasive, makes him a fascinating figure to follow.

The Entrepreneur places emphasis on the participants' ability and willingness to take risks in pursuing what they believe, depicting that the journey to success is one of unexpected turns and outcomes. This gives a realistic portrayal of the unpredictability of entrepreneurial ventures.

Despite its narrative relating to the automotive industry, the documentary does not limit its interest to car enthusiasts. The focus on Bricklin's personality and the broader themes of entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and familial bonds give it universal appeal. The Entrepreneur, with its layered narrative and multifaceted characters, can inspire and intrigue anyone interested in seeing the real-life challenges, successes, and failures of building something from the ground up.

The Entrepreneur is a masterclass in storytelling, positioning Malcolm Bricklin as an engaging figure whose life and aspirations offer engaging material for deep exploration. It paints a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship, providing viewers with an unprecedented view into the world of business. Its portrayal of the determined, polysyllabic entrepreneur may leave viewers with new realizations about ambition and risk-taking, evoking thought and discussion about the personal and professional cost of unyielding pursuit of a vision.

Ultimately, The Entrepreneur succeeds not only as a business documentary but also as a poignant picture of a father, visionary, and tireless dreamer. By the end of the film, viewers may find themselves reflecting on the meaning of success, and what we're willing to sacrifice to reach our dreams.