Money. Money makes the world go round. Everyone wants money, lots of money, and everyone who doesn’t have money, also wants to see those who do (namely the greedy, the corrupt, the lying, cheating, degenerates who we all believe deserve it less than us) fall; so seeing an infamous money-grabber up on the big screen, journeying through his rise and eventual downfall, is what everyone wants right? Of course it is, especially when it comes in the form of a brilliant, well-acted, Martin Scorsese directed, movie called The Wolf of Wall Street, and features a midget-tossing contest in the opening scene.
Like a number of movies coming from the Goodfellas director, The Wolf of Wall Street isn’t simply a work of fiction, but a biopic based on the life (and memoir) of Jordan Belfort; a man who was “pissed off” when, in his early-twenties, he made $49 million in one year because it was three million shy of one a week! A man who shook up Wall Street, was vilified by Forbes magazine, and became an overnight trading-messiah. A man who took the world for everything he could, and used it to bang all manner of hookers, ingest copious amounts of illegal drug-cocktails, twist the stock market to his own ends, and host some of the most debauched parties ever held.
Starring as Jordan ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ Belfort, Leonardo DiCaprio puts in another amazing turn for Scorsese (this now being his fifth collaboration with the director, including The Departed and Shutter Island); and is perfectly placed as the cocksure playboy; an easy-to-like hustler who’d have no trouble selling selling a cow a steak carved from its own ass (and taking a hefty commission while doing so), and a man that in some ways, we all want to be like; self-assured, self-made, able to take anything he wants, as and when he wants it, a powerful, well-liked, and above all rich, man.
Yet it’s because Jordan comes across as so likeable in the movie (almost appearing as a cross between Charlie Sheen’s character from Wall Street and DiCaprio’s forger from Catch Me If You Can), that’s you’re not sure whether or not to be glad, or sad, when the inevitable downfall of the trading-mogul rolls around; particularly given it’s a three hour film, and you’ve spent two hours simply enjoying the ride, and wishing you were right alongside The Wolf (albeit a touch more sober) at one of his outrageous parties, office blow-outs, or midget-tossing contests.
Given the rather serious nature of Jordan’s crimes as well (he fraudulently made tens of millions of dollars off the backs of some amazing trades and stock manipulation, and now appears to be bragging about it), there’s also a number of conflicting tones and themes running throughout the movie; is this a comedy (yes; the pomposity and arrogance of the Belfort lifestyle has to be seen to be believed, and breeds one of the most darkly comedic films released for a long while), a drama (yes; there’s enough family turmoil here to outlast six months of Jeremy Kyle re-runs), or perhaps a tale about how crime doesn’t pay (yes; Belfort does get his comeuppance; and no; because it’s not that bad, and the years he had at the top look more than worth it, and we all know we’d love to jump into Belfort’s shoes for a day)? The answer is all three, and more, but above it’s all a black-comedy about how a man’s excesses trounced his amazingly enviable lifestyle, and the way in which it’s handled so well, and excellently walks the line between tones and genres, is a testament to the skill of Martin Scorsese, the excellent work of scriptwriter Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire), and the work of the entire cast.
Every member of the cast perfectly embodies their respective roles, Jonah Hill (21 Jump Street) is brilliant as Jordan’s right-hand man (putting in a much more acting-heavy performance than usual, and excelling at every turn), the beautiful Margot Robbie (Vigilante) is not only the epitome of cinematic eye-candy, but shows real acting talent during her turn as Jordan’s wife Naomi, and every minor role is also acted with a true sense of believability, and filled with talented actors such as Matthew McConaughey (Killer Joe), Kyle Chandler (Zero Dark Thirty), Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap), Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead), Jon Favreau (Iron Man), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), and British treasure Joanna Lumley (crafting an awesome, sexually-charged, will-they-wont-they, conversation hinting at a Joanna Lumley/Leonardo DiCaprio sex-scene).
It’s an interesting tale, one that’s exceptionally well told, and so it’s no surprise that The Wolf of Wall Street has earned five well deserved Oscar nominations this year (for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay), but that doesn’t mean it’s not without it’s problems; there are a couple of negligible editing issues, a specific helicopter scene with some slightly ropey effects, and not only a slightly unfocussed tone overall, but a feeling that the eventual downfall of The Wolf doesn’t have the payoff crafted by some of Scorsese’s other build-and-crash movies (such as Goodfellas or Casino).
Still, minor issues aside, it’s actually rather difficult to pick fault with this film; The Wolf of Wall Street is an effortlessly excellent tale of excess, a film that’s wonderfully written, brilliantly shot, superbly acted, and amazingly gripping in places. The black-humour will have you laughing out loud, while the family drama keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the endless partying and quirky narration makes sure you’re having so much fun you’ll not only be questioning if anyone ever really lived like this, and how you could live like this (because money, strippers, and midgets aside, Jordan Belfort owned a car with pop-up headlights!), but completely forget it’s a three hour-long ride. This is one greedfest you’re going to want to take part in; certain scenes may not be for the faint of heart, and there’s none of the action you expect with a typical Scorsese picture, but whoever you are, you should go and see The Wolf Of Wall Street. It really is that good.
Matt Wheeldon – @TheMattWheeldon.
The Wolf Of Wall Street was viewed in The Regent Cinema, Newtown.
