Today’s quick review: The Wolf of Wall Street. Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a Wall Street stock broker, concocts a dubiously legal plan to make a fortune hyping low-value stocks with his best friend Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill). His scheme propels his trading firm all the way to the top, but his wealth sows the seeds of his downfall: rampant drug abuse, preposterous expenses, and a bitter wife Naomi (Margot Robbie).
The Wolf of Wall Street is a business comedy with dramatic elements that is based on a true story. Director Martin Scorsese dramatizes the life of Jordan Belfort, the man who took Wall Street by storm in the 80s, growing rich off his questionable business practices. Scorsese holds the audience’s interest admirably, switching between scenes before any get stale, dropping in plenty of spectacle, and stitching it all together with DiCaprio’s amusing narration.
Leonardo DiCaprio brings his role to life with a peculiar sort of charisma. His Jordan Belfort is one part machiavellian con man, one part sympathetic narrator, and one part wealthy degenerate who deserves every ounce of suffering coming his way. This ambivalence lets The Wolf of Wall Street play both sides of the hedonism coin, gaily showing the comedic aspects of excessive drugs and money alongside the horrific toll they take, occasionally even at the same time.
The juxtaposition makes The Wolf of Wall Street an unusual and captivating watch. Those who despise hedonism will find it distasteful at best; the film oozes drugs, prostitution, and profanity from every pore. Those who dislike party films may find more substance than they expect: the superficial comedy masks well-placed lessons about the unsustainability of hedonism, while the film’s capable craftsmanship also gives it some value as a drama.
The film is not without its flaws, even for those comfortable with its content. As with most true stories, the plot as a whole is so-so, despite the strong individual scenes that comprise it. Scorsese does a better job than most at handling the denouement, but the ending is still a letdown after its larger-than-life build-up.
Watch The Wolf of Wall Street if you are looking for a well-crafted, unpredictable comedy all the more unbelievable due to how much of it is real. Those sensitive to drug use, nudity, or swearing should stay far away, while those who merely not sold by them may want to try it out anyway. Despite an overall plot that lacks the tidiness of fiction, The Wolf of Wall Street is a raucous film that blurs the line between hedonistic escape and cautionary tale.
8.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it 8.0 for unexpected entertainment value and an outstanding performance from DiCaprio.