REVIEW: THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
The Wolf of Wall Street is a huge movie. Three hours long, this is the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s rise and fall, based on his incredible 2007 memoir of the same name. In the capable hands of Martin Scorsese, the film evolves into an over the top mega movie: outsized, incredible, and controversial. And by the way, excellent.
Jordan Belfort, played as no one else could by Leonardo DiCaprio, is a hungry 90’s era stockbroker who swindles his way into a mega fortune, selling and hyping first penny stocks, then Blue Chips — whatever it takes to pad his wallet. Jonah Hill is his sidekick, who he trains in the business. They embark on a life of outrageous luxury, swindling customers, drug consumption, womanizing, and sex.
But it may all come crashing down one day when the Feds, in the name of straight as an arrow Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) comes calling to investigate their practices.
DiCaprio plays another character in a long line of over the top types like Gatsby, Howard Hughes, and now Jordon Belfort. He also produced and developed the film, and does an amazing job. Yet I for one am left to wonder if he would just for the heck of it play a quiet, understated role. I’m sure he could do it, and do it well, but one does wonder if he’s making a career out of these types or is it just something in him that pulls him into these mega sized film roles.
It is awfully nice though to see the very likable Jonah Hill come into his own and hold his own against DiCaprio and Scorsese. He does a great job, and although this is a serious movie about serious abuses of the system, there are many hilarious scenes. Including one memorable scene where, spaced out on drugs, DiCaprio tries to drive his expensive sports car home from the country club. The physical humor he displays is awesome. I was laughing my head off.
Australian actress Margot Robbie plays Naomi, Jordon’s wife. She is stunning, with schemes of her own. She enjoys the luxurious lifestyle, yet punishes him ruthlessly for his womanizing. It’s an acting tour de force, as are so many of the roles here. She does a terrific job, and I’m sure come next March, Oscar will reward their efforts.
While the film is well done and another of Scorsese’s near masterpieces, it has generated some controversy about what some people see as glamorizing the scandalous practices of corrupt business people. I did not see that at all. These people are pigs, not glamorous at all. They are rotting in their own excesses, and get their comeuppance, yet most of them do manage to reinvent themselves in the end. So go see it, and don’t worry about admiring these characters, because you won’t.
The costumes, music and sets capture the 90’s and beyond perfectly, and reveal that excess is fun. Especially if you can watch it in a film and not get the hangover yourself. But even as we laugh, we are awfully glad we don’t live there, and know that sooner or later, life will kick them to the curb.
One interesting note. The real Jordon Belfort is now shopping around a reality TV series, and has been described by one television executive as “TV Gold.” I believe it, and the TV show may just be as big a hit as this film.
The Wolf of Wall Street is funny, very good and quite over the top. Not to be missed.