Wolf of Wall Street Review

[Westside Steve]

The Wolf of Wall Street

Paramount

R 165 min

As with just about every review I thought I'd give you a heads up here. I might be discussing some aspects of this film that could spoil your enjoyment so if you're planning to go, great, but read the review afterwards.

 

Every once in a while I walk into a film with some preconceived notions that turn out to be completely unfounded. You've probably heard me mention I'm not a huge fan of Leonardo DiCaprio and I think Scorcese is hit or miss.

However on the basis of filmmaking let me say THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is not only a hit for the director but the star as well. I should remember that while the Academy certainly has its glitches that it's rare that an absolute dog makes it to the final 9 or 10.

So we know this is an autobiography of Jordan Belfort a shady stock broker who created an empire from selling garbage stocks. It's basically a tale of drugs sex and the excesses of the shady bunch of misfits that made up his corporation. There's nothing particularly admirable about anyone not the brokers not the police not even the customers. Still it is what it is, a look inside the rise and fall of one of America's big scams.

What I liked:

I found it interesting to take that look inside this operation and watch as everyone involved became more and more possessed by greed and brought on by what seemed to be unlimited money. It was a wild lifestyle and the film rolled along at a pretty good clip most of the time. I think DiCaprio's performance is possibly his best since GILBERT GRAPE; fast paced and frenetic and on screen for almost the entire nearly 3 hours. That’s a lot of work.

What I didn't like had a bit less to do with movie making. First of all even though Belfort and his cohorts are scum bags I didn't see the huge breach of law that would make me root for them to be arrested. I mean basically they were selling junk to people who wanted to buy junk. Second the guy whose life this is based on is kind of a dick.

Even though I don't think he deserved a great deal in the way of punishment neither was I hoping for him to land on his feet which he does. Also despite the extravagant lifestyle, the sex and drug use, this film isn't nearly as intense as other tell-alls like GOODFELLAS or CASINO.

B

WSS

[gftChris]

Watched this. Not really that great, seemed to rely on lots of naked women to cover the very basic plot. How they stretched it out for 3 hours I don't know. Not terrible, it just really dragged on in the end.

[The Gipper]

Watched this. Not really that great, seemed to rely on lots of naked women to cover the very basic plot. How they stretched it out for 3 hours I don't know. Not terrible, it just really dragged on in the end.

And just what is wrong with relying on naked women to cover a plot point? I could think of a lot worse devices.

Besides, you forgot Jonah Hill's fake peepee.

[gftChris]

And just what is wrong with relying on naked women to cover a plot point? I could think of a lot worse devices.

Besides, you forgot Jonah Hill's fake peepee.

Nothing - turns out in American Pie it works excellently. But when you're trying to make a gritty, three-hour no holds barred insider tell-all story about wall street, it begins to wear a bit thin. Sure, there were plenty of hookers involved, but I bet that wasn't the only thing. And if all there was was drugs and hookers, why make a film out of it?

[slowburn]

Looking forward to viewing the film after reading the book. How Belfort accomplished what he did with his raging drug addiction amazes me. He might be rivaling a Bill Gates fortune had he not let the drugs get the better of him.