Detective Films: Rich Boys, Poor Girls

Description: Although not a traditional detective story, this film features a wealthy businessman who hires a prostitute for a week, leading to unexpected romance and personal growth, highlighting the stark contrast between their worlds.

Fact: The film was originally conceived as a dark drama, but was rewritten as a romantic comedy. Julia Roberts was paid $300,000 for her role, which was a significant sum at the time.

Description: A wealthy man offers a struggling couple a million dollars for one night with the wife, leading to a complex web of emotions, moral dilemmas, and the exploration of wealth's corrupting influence.

Fact: The film sparked a lot of debate about the ethics of the proposal. Demi Moore was paid $

Description: This film follows Tom Ripley, a young man from a modest background, who is sent to Italy to bring back a rich playboy, Dickie Greenleaf. The story unfolds with deception, identity theft, and murder, all set against the backdrop of the rich and the poor.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Italy, providing an authentic feel to the luxurious settings. Matt Damon was initially hesitant to take on the role of Ripley due to its dark nature.

Description: A rich art collector, Thomas Crown, orchestrates an elaborate heist, and an insurance investigator, Vicki Anderson, is tasked with catching him. Their cat-and-mouse game blurs the lines between professional and personal.

Fact: The film features a famous chess scene where the characters play without a board, using only their minds. The original 1968 film was remade with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who amasses a fortune through fraud and excess, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Naomi, who comes from a different social stratum.

Fact: The film was criticized for its portrayal of drug use and excess, but it also received praise for its raw depiction of Wall Street culture. Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for an Academy Award for his role.

Description: A ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister uncovers secrets that blur the lines between politics, wealth, and personal life, involving a mysterious woman from the PM's past.

Fact: The film was directed by Roman Polanski, who was unable to attend the Oscars due to legal issues. The screenplay was adapted from Robert Harris's novel.

Description: Set in the Roaring Twenties, this film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, and his love for the socialite Daisy Buchanan, who comes from a different social class.

Fact: The film's lavish parties were inspired by real events from the era, and the production team recreated the opulence of the time with meticulous detail.

Description: A politician falls for a dancer, but their love is thwarted by mysterious forces. The film delves into themes of fate, free will, and the class divide, with the rich man's world being manipulated by unseen powers.

Fact: The film's concept was inspired by a short story by Philip K. Dick. The iconic hat scene was improvised by Matt Damon.

Description: While not strictly about romance, this film explores the financial crisis through the eyes of several characters, including a rich investor and a stripper-turned-analyst, highlighting the divide between the wealthy and the working class.

Fact: The film uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts in a humorous way. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: A young, naive woman marries a wealthy widower, only to find herself haunted by the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca. The film explores themes of class, jealousy, and the psychological impact of wealth.

Fact: Alfred Hitchcock's only film to win the Best Picture Oscar. The character of Rebecca never appears on screen, yet her presence is felt throughout the film.