SYNOPSIS: In the late 1980s, ambitious young stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo Di-Caprio) loses his job on Wall Street but ends up becoming a founder of his own company, Stratton Oakmont. Over the next several years, he builds up his money-making empire with the help of his loyal workers including business partner Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill). But despite living the high life with his beautiful spouse Naomi (Margot Robbie), his success is complicated by a crazed lifestyle of drugs and sex as well as the FBI who start investigating his involvement in security fraud and money laundering.
Sex, drugs and flying midgets are the order of the day in Martin Scorsese’s latest cinematic outing, the satirical epic The Wolf of Wall Street, which charts the rise and fall of a man who was undoubtedly the real-life Gordon Gekko.
Working alongside established screenwriter Terence Winter, Scorsese meticulously constructs this telling story of corruption by focusing on Belfort and his absurd lifestyle throughout the lengthy three-hour running time.
The legendary director also continues to delve into dark territory by capturing the ugliness of American greed as well as glamourising the perks and cons of being a rich man.
While it may be difficult for some of us to root for these bizarre individuals who begin and end the film like money-grabbing scoundrels, Marty deserves credit for making them fun to watch as we revel in their humourous escapades.
Though it never feels like an outright comedy, the film does provide some of the funniest scenes of recent times as Winter’s masterful script relies on witty dialogue exchanged between the characters that are worthy of a Scorsese feature.
Like his previous work on Goodfellas and Casino, he incorporates narration exceptionally well in various scenes ranging from Belfort breaking the fourth wall to address his audience to his contrasting mind-games with business associates.
Through these moments, credit must go to veteran editor (and Scorsese collaborator) Thelma Schoonmaker for producing more excellent work in the cutting room as she uses her experience to cut and merge these scenes tenaciously.
The focus on excessive partying are also moments to savour as we look on in disbelief at some of the antics that some of these characters get up to such as the previously-mentioned midget-tossing and full-blown sex scenes in different places.
However it’s the use of drugs which bring out the biggest laughs particularly in one riotous sequence which sees Belfort mistakenly take some out-of-date lemon pills. The following ten minutes produce hysteria for the audience as we cringe at our main man crawling along the floor in”cerebral palsy mode” as he tries to get home.
Leonardo Di-Caprio’s ability to create this kind of physical comedy is refreshing to see as he delivers a momentous performance as the charismatic yet deceitful Belfort, a role which recently won him the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical.
Whether he is engaging us with his motivational speeches or making us loathe his character’s wild ways, Di-Caprio deserves huge plaudits for his commitment to playing flawed yet fascinating individuals in what is a career-defining role.
But although he dominates the film, his co-stars also leave their mark even with limited screen-time. Sharing some fabulous chemistry with Di-Caprio, Jonah Hill continues to expand his work outside of frat-boy comedies with his stellar turn as the buck-toothed Donnie who spends his scenes getting high on cocaine and plunging into sexual activities.
Matthew McConaughey leaves an energetic mark in his all-too brief role as Belfort’s mentoring boss Mark Hanna as he gives tips about how to succeed in the business whilst chest-pumping to his keen learner.
The rest of the effective ensemble also do their part including Kyle Chandler as determined FBI agent Patrick Denham, Jean Dujardin as shrewd Swiss banker Jean Saurel and Rob Reiner as Jordan’s short-fused dad Max.
A final mention must go to the inspired casting of sexy Australian actress Margot Robbie as Jordan’s gorgeous yet feisty wife Naomi.
Coming a long way from her days in Neighbours, Robbie’s breathtaking and luminous appearance keeps us transfixed on her the entire time as she seduces both Jordan and her satisfied male viewers whilst maintaining a well-suited Brooklyn accent.
Luckily she is more than just a pretty face as she produces a stern and sympathetic performance as a woman who struggles to cope with her husband’s erratic behaviour.
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