I often wonder about that, too: The corporate big earners are greedy vs. honest and supremely talented and kind artists who 'deserve' every penny they make ie millions and millions narrative. Your friends response is exactly the response that I often hear and read when others play devil's advocate. I think it has to do with art - just the concept of art - and "creating" something (not like a bridge, a building or a house ... or even kids) but the whole ego boost of being an "ah-tist" and creating culture. It seems, deep down, if they don't make movies the entire Western civilization will implode, because, goodness forbid, the world will be starved of culture (like Monet paintings, ballets, operas and symphonies don't exist). It's hugely funny and at the same time quite sad.
I have family who work/have worked in corporate America and it isn't an easy job, at least mentally and psychologically. No one "hates" their job as well; some may be indifferent to it, but I haven't known anyone who looks out the winder wants to fly away. For the most part they're good at what they do and there is more devil in the details in their job than what most actors put into their acting.
What I liked about this movie is that at certain scenes the dialogue brought out the truth about the conditions of corporate work conditions. My brother is in financial consulting and what was explained about traveling out of the country 5 out of 6 weeks is pretty much accurate. It's a different type of "killer" job than construction (where I also have some family members and friends). The traveling, time zone adjustment on the body and working practically 6 out of the 7 days of the week was not at all glamorous. At times he was so tired that he just wanted to lie in bed on his days off, too tired to explore whatever city he was in. He then had to get on a plane, fly back to the States to update whoever for a week then fly back to the foreign city. No "I'm going to Tokyo!" talk could beat the stress that was accompanied with the responsibility he had.
EDIT: What a bunch of apologists. A good number of these comments are hilarious. You either prove the OPs point - "Well they're talented actors! And it's a small amount of them making millions!" to "I'm insulted. You're saying all actors are hypocrites!" to "CEO fat cats don't really sacrifice that much." - or you just prove that you fell for the narrative that capitalism needs to be thrown out for a "better" system.
2014: Whiplash, Cold in July, that Terrence Malick project set in Austin
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