Review: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: Terence Winter
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner and Matthew McConaughey

Martin Scorsese is probably my all-time favourite filmmaker, and anyone whose seen anything from his catalogue will not have any trouble understanding why it is. Whether he's dealing with fiction or a real life personality, he is a master at bringing the tragic tales of the characters he's working with to the screen each in their own unique way. In the case of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' I can only describe it as a black comedy, but it isn't always a laughing matter. The film is an unrestrained plunge into a destructive world of greed, addiction and moral degradation and might very well be my favourite Scorsese movie released since 1995's 'Casino.'

The story begins in 1987 with Jordan Belfort. He's young, married, full of ambition and he's just procured his first Wall Street job. It doesn't take long for the virtuous Jordan to see his new world as one swarming with self-indulgent swindlers. Getting a taste of the potential the world of stocks has to offer, he establishes "Stratton Oakmont" with his associate Donnie Azoff. The firm operates on a "pump and dump" scam with penny stocks and it doesn't take long for it to really take off. With a new state of immense wealth, Jordan falls into a decadent lifestyle of drugs, partying, prostitution and fraud.

The degree of excess in anything conceivably vulgar is insane, and depending on how you feel about it will really make or break this film for you. It's apparent that money has the power to turn respectable individuals into shameless animals, and it doesn't take very long for that to occur. It's also abundantly clear that the indulgent lives these people are living can only lead to a gigantic downfall. Scorsese has a long history of making movies about people we wouldn't want to meet, and continues that trend with Jordan Belfort. It's actually quite baffling to see how sick this person is, and there's an element that's both comedic and highly dramatic at the same time. Belfort is digging himself into a deeper hole with every act of dishonesty that makes up his being. There's no feeling sorry for his victimizing himself, and yet it's hard to look away. The blend of both glamorous wealth and degeneracy is gripping.

Leonardo DiCaprio dominates the film in the role that I believe he was robbed of an Oscar for. I have no reservations in suggesting that he's the Humphrey Bogart of his generation. He has a marvellous way of drawing us into Belfort's world of corporate greed through his narration. You get a real sense that you understand the man at each stage of his rise and fall. DiCaprio's drug scenes are particularly excellent and have an intoxicating effect on the audience. Jonah Hill serves as an appropriate comedic touch as Donnie Azoff, a role which evidently was written for a man of recent genre success. Margot Robbie demonstrates enormous talent for an actress with little experience. While McConaughey doesn't get much screentime, his few moments perfectly set the film's thematic qualities.

More than anyone else, credit is owed to director Martin Scorsese. His varying techniques in cinematography and editing are heavily reminiscent of 'Goodfellas' and completely fitting for this modern story of white-collar crime. For a film that goes for a solid three hours, it's so despicably pleasing that it feels like a fraction of that. Scorsese has many films under his belt that I consider masterpieces and 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is one of them.

My Rating: 10/10