The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Written by Terence Winter
Martin Scorsese has a knack and keen ability for making villains or just horrible people out to be humans one sympathizes with and almost roots for to win. In his Oscar nominated film, The Wolf of Wall Street, we may not entirely agree with the decisions that the main character makes, but we sure as hell get drawn into his world and magnetism.
The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio). He was ruthless and desired one thing above all, to be rich. He quickly landed a job on Wall Street as a stockbroker and learned the ins and outs of not only stocks, but how to prey on the emotions of people to manipulate them and take their money.
He opens his own brokerage firm with Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) and creates a boiler room company that sells penny stocks and hires his own hoodlum friends to join in on the scheme. He names the firm Stratton Oakmont, with a lion as a mascot, the company sounds intelligent, grounded and financially smart, at least to most people who know nothing about stocks and trading.
Gordon Gecko said, “The point is ladies and gentlemen that greed, for lack of a better word, is good,” and Belfort would undoubtedly agree with him. Set in the 90’s the film is just on the heels of the time when the Gordon Geckos of the world ruled and not only is greed the motivating factor for all the debauchery that ensues it is also the downfall of his empire.
The movie takes the viewer on a wild ride of drug usage; think snorting lines off a hooker’s behind and gulping Quaaludes down with booze. Most of which is done at work and on the house as Belfort offers up pleasures one could desire in between phone calls and lunch breaks and promises Chanel suits and expensive cars over his daily motivational work meetings. These temptations make his employees work harder to acquire those material goods and money, only further entangling the people on the other line with emptying out their pockets to them.
What Scorsese delivers is a ride along with Belfort that would please Bacchus himself. He utilizes wide shots where the viewer is able to encompass everything that is going on from a marching band entering on the right to people having sex in a corner. It’s as if we are viewing the world literally through Belfort’s eyes, taking it all in and wanting more each time.
The film is narrated by Belfort which is an interesting directorial choice, but one that we have seen before with Scorsese. Similar to the format of Goodfellas, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) narrates the entire film and we get a first hand perspective as to what was going on in his head and what drove his decisions to do awful acts and conspire with gangsters. This narrative device works similarly in this movie because the story that plays out is Belfort’s; it is what he believed happened and what drove him to live this type of lifestyle.
The actors in this film are superb, DiCaprio, Hill, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal (yes Shane from TWD), to name a few, all do a great job at capturing the essence and feelings of people who are living lives filled with greed, both the people making the money and those who partake of the riches. Margot Robbie plays Belfort’s second wife Naomi, she really takes what could have been a simplistic character to another level. She is raw and gritty and a great newcomer to Hollywood.
DiCaprio is phenomenal; he is able to capture every nuance and feeling of the character and to take it to another degree. In one way, this almost reminded me of his performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, he really pushes himself to delve deep into the character and gets at the heart of the emotions of the story and seemingly delivers it with ease. Although Belfort is a thief, DiCaprio plays him as charming and has this appeal that would make anyone want to his dirty deeds for him.
Hill is like a firecracker on screen, you let go of the firecracker and you want to see more, you want to see it explode and he does just that, to the point that we forget it is Hill himself. The guy who did stoner-boner movies has now turned into a bonafide actor and plays off DiCaprio just perfect as his big-toothed sidekick.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie was in the beginning when Belfort was still green and he goes to lunch with his new boss Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey) who schools him on how the world of Wall Street works. What makes this scene priceless is the presence of McConaughey, who although just appears for a cameo part, really sets the tone for the entire film. The way Belfort admiringly looks at him when he beats his chest and snorts cocaine is so odd, yet fascinating. Did you know that McConaughey was just doing that in between takes, but it ended up getting used for the film?
Overall great movie, I don’t think it could have beat out 12 Years A Slave, it was bad timing, maybe had it been another year, Scorsese, Winter and DiCaprio could have won, but this year it was just too tough. If you haven’t seen it and you waited forever like I did (like I always do), go do yourself a favor and check it out.
}}Melissa
SnapCrackleWatch 
nice review, it was pretty good, but I felt that there were parts where it was quite repetitive and they could have shortened the movie IMHO
Agreed it was long! But really only someone like Scorsese can pull that off without pissing me off. 🙂
Agreed! It was quite lenghty!
Too long by a good 20 mins or so but a hell of a lot of fun. Having said that, I’d still love to see a director’s cut!
I know I can’t imagine! I guess Scorsese can really do whatever the hell he wants at this point right?!
Exactly as you say I’ve waited for ages but been wanting to see it the whole time! I’ll use your review to spur me to actually go and see it! Thanks 🙂
Yes you should def see it! Don’t worry I wait forever too, but I rent quick!
Great post!!
#snortinglines
#offahookersbutt #fun #regularday
#twicetodayalready
Like others, I too thought it was long, but damn if it wasn’t entertaining! Not as good as 12 Years, DBC, or Her imo, but better than Gravity, American Hustle, and Captain Phillips. Not gonna comment on Nebraska or Philomena as I have not seen those yet.
But overall, a great piece of cinema. Great analysis.
Thank you movie man! I agree it was better than Gravity, American Hustle and Cap Phillips. I really liked American Hustle but it was def better. Yes Nebraska is on my to do list at the moment. 🙂 We’ll have to discuss once we both see it.
Best review I’ve read. I haven’t seen it yet but I plan to when I have 3 hours to spare. I can’t even imagine how these guys lived, its pretty fascinating though
Thanks Mikey! You totally do not have 3 hours to spare esp when you are busy with the Olympics and breaking into movie premiers!
Hahah I’m too busy snorting coke out of Russell Crowes ass!
I know and you prob got very high cuz he has a huge ass. HAHAHAHA
Hahahah!!!!!
Best film of 2013, hands down! Well, for me anyway ;). Superb post, as always! I love Margot Robbie!
Thank you! Yes it was so good! Better than Gravity and some of the others I have seen. I still need to see Her which I know everyone loved too.
Her was amazing. Really think you’ll like it. I was amazed at Di Caprio’s performance. On his motivational speeches I felt like shouting out too haha. Cool review 🙂
Thank you! I know I can’t wait to see Her. I totally woulda schemed people for Dicaprio lol.
Have yet to see this. I feel like I should, but I dunno…Scorsese is not always a homerun for me. We shall see. Nice review, lady!
Good review. Though it’s late in his career, Leo still shows us that he can surprise the hell out of us and gives us an even clearer-idea of why he’s considered one of the best working as of right now.
Great review! : ) This is my favorite film I’ve seen in the cinema so far this year (came out in January in the UK so I can count it as my top 2014 movie). ; ) Sooooo wish Leo could have won the Oscar. Shame it was such a tough year! This is actually my favorite Scorsese movie now.
Thank you I’m glad you liked it too! I loved it and Leo totally could have won the Oscar. Ps how hot was he ?! Dying over here. You should totally do a top 10 Scorsese which by the way would be super hard!
Lol! Already done it… ; ) Did it just after seeing Wolf of Wall Street. : )
Nice! Can’t wait to see it.
Nice review. It was a tough year for awards, the competition was immense. I agree with you, in another year this might have taken something home. Matthew McConaughey was definitely the funniest thing about this one 🙂
Thank you! Yes DiCaprio could have won had it been another year. McConaughey was awesome with his chest pumping action. lol
I loved this movie!! Oki, shoot me, it beat out 12 Years A Slave for me, hands down, no two ways about it (though don’t get me wrong, that was a fantastic movie too!). This was my movie of 2013, just fantastic! Great review Melissa!
Thanks Zoe! I thought 12 Years was awesome, but after seeing this I really debated that question as well. It was just SO damn good and SO damn well made, I don’t argue with your decision at all, I am close behind with you on that one.
WHOOP! Thrilled to hear that lady! Scorsese and DiCaprio are quite the duo, I must say!
Amen.
Great review, Melissa. I totally agree (obviously since this one made my Top 10 of 2013). It isn’t as good as 12 Years and DiCaprio isn’t as good as McConaughey (or Hanks), but Wolf is a darn fine film that had the misfortune of a rough release year.
Thank you! I know it was so good. I haven’t seen Dallas Buyers Club so I cant argue that point yet, but as soon as it comes out I will see it. Hanks I wasn’t that impressed to tell you the truth. But yes DiCaprio was awesome!
Since you’re making the Oscar rounds, see Dallas Buyers Club. I think you’ll like it.
Glad you liked it, and nice review!
The Wolf of Wall Street is without a doubt one of the most insane, crazy and enjoyable films I’ve seen in a while, showcasing a career high from Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, who cranks up the energy and impact for maximum result.
Agreed! I love this movie, it was so well done and really who can argue with this right?!