The Wolf Of Wall Street

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Jon Bernthal, Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner, Jean Dujardin, Joanna Lumley, Cristin Millotti, Jon Faverau, Shea Wigham, Christine Ebersole, PJ Byrne, Ethan Suplee

Written By: Terrence Winter

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

This is a great year for film. I can’t remember the last year I watched this many films that I LOVED. I loved Wolf Of Wall Street. I loved Wolf Of Wall Street like I loved Gravity, Dallas Buyers Club, Blue Jasmine, Prisoners, Enough Said, The Kings Of Summer, and 12 Years A Slave. Scorsese is a master, and DiCaprio is his muse. Easily the best Scorsese movie since The Departed.

This has also been a great year for Leonardo DiCaprio. Before I saw this, I didn’t understand how DiCaprio could eek in a Best Actor nomination. Now that I’ve seen it, I understand that his nomination was a slam dunk. Brilliant performance, really. The “lemon” scene was brilliant. It’s probably the only reason Jonah Hill got a nomination. I remember a recent conversation with someone who was saying DiCaprio plays the same character in every film. I disagree. I think he shows range with his roles. Sure, he can’t always have a dynamic role, but when he does, he’s brilliant.

Here DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, a real person, who made millions on Wall Street using extremely illegal and shady practices. He’s also a sex addict, a drug addict, and a pretty shitty person. Hill plays his right hand, Donnie Azoff. As the film progresses, and Jordan and Donnie make more money, they attract the attention of an FBI agent (Chandler), and Jordan has to scramble to put his life in order and stay out of jail. But most of all, he wants to protect his fortune.

The supporting cast is strong. McConaughey is great as an early inspiration for Jordan. Robbie is great as Jordan’s second suffering wife. Bernthal is great as Jordan’s childhood friend Brad, who helps get him out of a few sticky situations. Really, for a three hour film, it keeps up at a surprising breakneck pace. I’m so glad that Scorsese got to present his film the way he wanted to. 179 minutes of pure excitement, including a rather special-effect heavy sequence at sea. You keep waiting for Jordan to hit rock bottom, and he seemingly never does. He truly bounces back.

Definitely a must watch film.

FINAL GRADE: A

2 thoughts on “The Wolf Of Wall Street

  1. Probably my favourite film of the year. DiCaprio was amazing. I can understand how people say he plays the same roles, but I think they’re just misinterpreting what acting is. Lots of his recent big movies has called for him to be extra emotional and hit on every single range of acting he has. What else is he to do, change his face? change his vocal chords? In another year he could easily walk away with all the Best Actor awards but its just too tough this year. Great review!

  2. Also my favorite movie that I’ve watched in theaters. I haven’t had a movie like TWOWS that kept me interested the whole entire time. It was three hours of pure entertainment.

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