The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Review

"The Wolf of Wall Street" is a 2013 biographical black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Jonah Hill. The movie is based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort, a former stockbroker who became notorious for his involvement in securities fraud and money laundering during the 1990s.

The film tells the story of Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio, who starts as a young and ambitious stockbroker in the late 1980s. Belfort is quickly drawn into the world of Wall Street, where he discovers the lucrative world of penny stocks. With the help of his mentor, Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey), Belfort learns how to manipulate the stock market to his advantage.

As Belfort becomes more successful, he becomes increasingly reckless and indulgent. He starts to party hard, take drugs, and engage in extramarital affairs. Eventually, he launches his own brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, which becomes a notorious and illegal operation that involves defrauding investors of millions of dollars.

The film is a dark comedy that explores themes of greed, excess, and corruption. It portrays the characters as morally bankrupt, living a life of luxury and excess that is built on the backs of others. The film is unapologetic in its portrayal of the characters' behavior, and the audience is left to judge for themselves whether the characters' actions are justified.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the performance of DiCaprio, who gives a mesmerizing and energetic portrayal of Belfort. He is able to capture the charm and charisma that made Belfort such a successful salesman, while also conveying the darker aspects of his personality. DiCaprio's performance is one of the best of his career and is a testament to his talent as an actor.

The supporting cast is also impressive, particularly Margot Robbie as Belfort's second wife, Naomi Lapaglia, and Jonah Hill as his business partner, Donnie Azoff. Both actors bring a depth and nuance to their roles, which helps to flesh out the world of the film.

The film's cinematography and editing are also noteworthy. The camera work is dynamic and inventive, with Scorsese using a variety of techniques to capture the frenetic energy of the characters. The editing is similarly impressive, with the film's long running time never feeling dull or slow.

However, the film has been criticized for its glorification of the characters' actions. Some have argued that the film presents Belfort and his associates as antiheroes, rather than villains. While the film does not shy away from the criminality of the characters, it does portray their actions as glamorous and exciting. Some viewers may find this problematic, as it could be seen as glorifying illegal and immoral behavior.

Another criticism of the film is its treatment of women. The female characters in the film are often portrayed as objects of desire or as secondary to the male characters. While Margot Robbie's performance is strong, her character is ultimately defined by her relationship to Belfort. The film also includes several scenes of sexual objectification and harassment, which could be triggering or offensive to some viewers.

Overall, "The Wolf of Wall Street" is an entertaining and well-made film that explores important themes about greed, excess, and corruption. The performances, cinematography, and editing are all excellent, and the film is a testament to Martin Scorsese's talent as a filmmaker. However, the film's portrayal of the characters' actions may be problematic for some viewers, and the treatment of women in the film has been criticized. Despite these flaws, "The Wolf of Wall Street" is a must-see film in its exploration of the darker side of capitalism and the human desire for wealth and power. It raises important questions about the morality of financial success and the consequences of unchecked ambition.