It’s so wonderful when you can go to the theater and engage in a transformative experience that gives you a good time. The Wolf of Wall Street, the racously funny new film from Martin Scorsese, might be the most fun you’ll have in a theater this year. More than just a glossy look at a debaucherous life, this film digs deep into American greed, the financial crisis and morality. In short, it’s easily one of the best films of the year.
The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the incredible true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a stock broker who at the age of 22 was making just under $1 million a week. Born in Queens, Jordan arrives in Manhattan an innocent man amidst a sea of corruption and foolishness. His first day as a broker is when the market crashes. Out of a job and with no other way to make a living, he lucks into selling penny stocks, and with his Wall Street education is able to make large sums of money off of stock that’s not worth much. Despite protestations from his wife (Christin Milioti) he continues to get richer and richer, eventually founding his own company Straton Oakmont. Along his meteoric rise he meets a guy who will become his VP (Jonah Hill) and gets a hot new wife (Margot Robbie) to compliment his lifestyle. However, this lavish living and corrupt bargaining can only last so long, and when a big FBI agent (Kyle Chandler) gets on the case, the castle comes tumbling down.
You’d never know Martin Scorcese was on the verge of retirement by how he directed this film. When one asks about what a movie looks like when a filmmaker is having fun, you should point them in the direction of this film. Scorcese pulls out every trick he’s learned in his considerable career and uses them to bring forth this tale. There are so many elements in this film (breaking the fourth wall, voice over, crazy situations, and some graphic content to name a few) that could, in a lesser filmmaker’s hands, sink a film. But Scorcese uses each element to perfection. There are many scenes from this movie that will be talked about for a while, but there’s a scene where Jordan Belfort is trying to get to his car after taking several Lemons that hasn’t escaped my mind since I saw the film. That it was shot in almost a single take is just more proof that Scorcese is on top of his game.
Also on the top of their game is Thelma Schoonmaker, who had the crazy tough job of editing this film down to 3 hours and an R-rating. I have no idea how she managed to accomplaish this, but she manages to make a 3 hour movie seem like it just breezes by. The pace of this film is incredible and she knows how to edit a joke just right. You are never bored in this film, and that’s partly thanks to her.
I’m sure that it was easier for these two to work given the material they were handed by way of Terrence Winter‘s script. The screenplay for The Wolf of Wall Street is a flat our riot, with Winter mining jokes from the dialogue and the situations in which the characters are placed. Man people will tell you the film is mysoginistic and hedonistic, and quite honestly it probably is. However, I’d expect no less from a film whose narrator is coked out of his mind and treats women like crap. Movies, when they are at their best, really channel all aspects of a person, including those which may make a movie watchers uncomfortable. This film has to go there, show these men in all their perceived glory doing things we frown upon because that’s what’s necessary to tell the tale. Jordan Belfort can be having the time of his life on screen and we can see how that is corrupting him, and understand that the film is not telling us to behave this way. We can’t extricate ourselves from what’s happening cause this is the American story, to some extent. It’s a tightrope to walk and Winter does so. But more impressive than that is the subtlties in his script that make the film really work. This is a story of how the country fell into the issues it did with the financial crisis and Winter wisely sprinkles in kernels of subtext in many of the conversations the characters have. The final scenes are just wonderfully written, with the subtext being made clear.
While all the behind the camera stuff is superb, this movie flies off the screen and into your face due to the force of the acting. Leonardo DiCaprio finally finds a part he can truly let loose in. Stuck in the dead wives club for too long, he uses all of that golden boy charm he had in something like The Great Gatsby and twists it into something depraved, unhinged, and glorious. Many of his roles have relied on his face or his voice, but this is a whole body type of performance, that would have felt forced unless he committed to it 100%. This movie rests so heavily on his capable shoulders and it’s a wonder to watch him carry the film. He is held up by a great group of supporting actors who manage to make an impact regardless of screen time. Jonah Hill seems to have found a well of acting ability cause he delivers a hilarious performance in this film, while also nailing the heavier moments. Were it not for Leo giving the performance of his life, Margo Robbie would be the MVP of the film. More than just a sexpot, she brings a vivid intensity to the role of Belfort’s 2nd wife. This role could have gone so many ways but Robbie’s performance is very balanced, it’s showy without being unnecessary. Also turning in good performances were Jon Bernthal, Kenneth Choi, Cristin Milioti, Jean Dujardin, and Matthew McConaughey, whose big scene I wish was longer cause it was hilarious.
I could probably spend another 500 words or so extolling the virtues of this film, but you guys get the idea. If you’re looking for a good time at the movies, look no further than The Wolf of Wall Street.
Grade: ****/**** (A)