The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio), a New York stockbroker who goes from working on penny stocks to a life of corruption and excess. Following Belfort during his twenties, he, along with right-hand man Donnie Azoff (Hill), takes the financial world by storm with his stockbroking skill and aggressive partying.
Martin Scorsese directs this masterfully funny and daring picture. Although being criticized for its glamorizing of the drugs and sex lifestyle, I don't see this as a huge issue. What this content gives is a fast paced (which was definitely needed in this 3 hour film) thrill ride that keeps you laughing and shocked throughout. Personally, I find this one of the most enjoying Scorsese films ever produced. The daring and outlandish characters were gripping to watch, in particular Jordan Belfort whose lack of remorse for his actions, combined with his love of drugs, created a villain who an audience just can't keep there eyes off.
The acting throughout The Wolf of Wall Street is simply remarkable. Matthew McConaughey as Mark Hanna, during the short time that he is present in this picture, controls each scene and has the full attention of Belfort. McConaughey's 'Money Chant', which is on the soundtrack, is actually a warm up technique used by McConaughey, and when seen by DiCaprio he felt it would have worked in the film; it definitely did with the sequence being a stand-out moment in the 3 hour spectacular. Jonah Hill produces an Oscar-nominated supporting role that proves his ability as an actor. When I saw Hill in Moneyball (2011) I thought he had the skill and talent to become one of the top actors in Hollywood, after watching The Wolf of Wall Street this opinion has not faulted. Hill is compelling and gripping as Belfort's drug-fueled aide, however, I don't feel he will have much luck at the Oscars with the likes of Jared Leto and Michael Fassbender further up the pecking order.
I feel the one area of the film that lets it down is the length. At three hours long the film is Scorsese's longest and most definitely could have benefited from having a few scenes cut down. The vast number of speeches were incredibly long and self-indulgent, at times there was the feeling that an epic speech had been made with a great final line only for it to continue for another five minutes and ultimately gave the audience a reason to lose concentration. On the other hand, the ridiculous and insanely entertaining parties bring every viewer back to the film.
The most exciting film of 2013.
J. Henderson.
8/10
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