Martin Scorsese’s captivating bio-drama The Wolf of Wall Street outlines stockbroker and entrepreneur Jordan Belfort’s extravagant life in New York in the 1990s.
Jordan Belfort, a young, married man out of college, finds a job on Wall Street working at a broker firm. Unfortunately, he had his first day of work be on October 19, 1987, which was had the largest crash since the Great Depression. After being let go due to plummeting prices, Belfort searches for new jobs. He finds one place hiring brokers – a scummy and unprofessional penny firm. Desperate for money, he takes the job and becomes incredibly successful. He then moves on in order to start his own firm with his hometown friends – who aren’t much of brokers, but with training, find their way.
After launching his business, Stratton Oakmont, Belfort quickly becomes a millionaire – and by the time he’s 26, he’s making $49 million a year (which “really pissed [him] off because it was three short of a million a week”). The rest of the film frames his gluttonous, over-the-top, and sometimes ridiculous lifestyle, through being hunted by the FBI – which eventually led to his downfall.
Adapted from Belfort’s memoir of the same name, The Wolf of Wall street is an exciting story, and at some points, almost unbelievable (yes, there is a disclaimer that some events have been dramatized for the film, but upon doing research after viewing the movie, some ridiculous accounts are, in fact, true). The film is just as fast-paced as the Belfort’s life probably was, and although it stands at a seemingly long three hours, it’s hardly noticeable that span of time passes because the screenplay, writing, and acting are so entertaining.
Be warned, though. The Wolf of Wall Street is being released on Christmas Day, but it’s not exactly a film to see with Grandma during the holidays. There’s an obscene amount of drugs, alcohol, sex, and profanity, but we can only imagine that that was, in fact, how Belfort’s life truly was. Although money is nice to have, too much money can be dangerous on more than one level, which is exactly what The Wolf of Wall Street outlines.
With screenwriter Terence Winter’s script as a basis, the film was fortunate enough to also have Scorsese as a director and Academy Award nominated actors. All combined, clearly these are pieces for a fantastic film all around.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance is undoubtedly one of his best, although he is more and more often being found in roles of a rich and/or powerful person dealing with many inner struggles (Gatsby, Inception, Shutter Island). The energy and charisma DiCaprio brings will make you believe that you personally can be a broker for Stratton Oakmont, despite how much corruption is present.
Jonah Hill also gave a very respectable performance, and just as he showed the world in Moneyball, he is capable of a wide variety of roles – from comedic to serious parts. Both DiCpario and Hill will undoubtedly receive acclaim for their performances.
The Wolf of Wall Street is highly impressive, well written, and has phenomenal acting. It’s one of Scorsese’s better films, but not his best. Nevertheless, it is still worthy of many awards this season, and will keep you laughing out loud for almost a straight three hours.
Grade: A-
Rated: R (for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language throughout, and for some violence)
The Wolf of Wall Street opens in theaters on December 25, 2013.
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