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Scorsese moves from the mean streets gangsters to the white collar wall street gangsters. These gangsters don't use weapons to destroy your lives, they use phones and shrewd selling tactics to ruin what you have worked for. The genius of Scorsese has always been that his portraits of the people he makes films about have been honest, which is evident in "The Wolf of Wall Street." Scorsese puts the camera in the selling room so the audience gets a front row seat to how these stock brokers manipulate people into mortgaging their homes to invest into junk stocks. The audience also gets a front row seat into how these wall street workers enjoying ruining the lives of faceless people to get rich fast. These are not people you root for, these are soulless, empty people, where everything including money is an object.
Leading actor Leonardo DiCaprio perfectly embodies the selfish, and sleazy lifestyle of Jordan Belfort. It is truly a daring performance by DiCaprio to show the lifestyle of excess that the real Belfort lead. It is a refreshing change of pace for DiCaprio to take on a more comedic role. The moments where DiCaprio really shines is when he addresses the brokers at his firm with greed fueled speeches that seduce the money hungry brokers. This lets the audience know that these guys have no remorse for what they are doing. This is also the most unhinged DiCaprio has ever been, he takes everything to the limit, and delivers a bold and daring performance. DiCaprio has earned a much deserved Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination for his work on "The Wolf of Wall Street."
Jonah Hill is a scene stealer. Hill plays Donnie Azoff who becomes Belfort's right hand man. Hill perfectly shows how someone can become enamored by this lifestyle. Hill brings his comedic timing and great use of improv to create an unsympathetic, and almost tragic character.
The supporting cast shines. From Australian actress Margot Robbie who plays Belfort's second wife Naomi, is tough as nails and stands toe to toe with DiCaprio. Matthew McConaughey who plays DiCaprio's mentor, is impressive and hilarious in his short screen time. And Kyle Chandler who plays an FBI agent who puts the heat on DiCaprio. This is a credit to casting director Ellen Lewis, as every actor hits their mark.
The film has received it's share of criticism for it's depiction of drug use and sex, as well as not focusing on the victims. But that is Jordan Belfort's story, it's not a family story. "The Wolf of Wall Street" is a story of wonton debauchery that is not for everyone. As for not focusing on the victims, this is a conscious move on Scorsese's part. The victims are faceless, indicating that anyone, even you, can be a victim of these people. And to tone down the debauchery would not tell the real story. This is what Scorsese does best, he tells honest stories about people we don't know about. Like with "GoodFellas" and "Casino" Scorsese gives us an inside look of not so savory people. The characters behavior is not celebrated but shown how it actually was. Scorsese puts a mirror up to our we want it now society with this film, and it's not a pretty world.
"The Wolf of Wall Street" is really a cautionary tale of greed and excess. One of the best films of the year, playing at a theater near you.
At A Glance
"The Wolf of Wall Street"
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey
Run Time: 180 minutes
Rated R
Official Website: Here
Now nominated for five Academy Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director- Martin Scorsese
Best Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actor- Jonah Hill
Best Adapted Screenplay- Terrence Winter
Now nominated for five Academy Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director- Martin Scorsese
Best Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actor- Jonah Hill
Best Adapted Screenplay- Terrence Winter
