The Wolf of Wall Street movie plot and review

Martin Scorsese’s latest epic recounts the tale of Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his climb to success and his rapid decline. As we have come to expect Scorsese’s delivers a well crafted film that is lengthy, but unlike some of his earlier works this film is truly great because it is never off. The 180 minute running time is as exciting as anything I have ever seen before, at no point did i feel the need to stare at my watch. The film succeeds in captivating the audience and immersing them into the world of these Wall Street ‘crooks’.

Based on true events, the film follows the life of an ambitious stock broker Belfort and his exploitation of the people in America. Through manipulative linguistic devices Belfort was able to attain money from fairly poor people with the promise that he would increase their investment, but he knows this is not possible and is therefore just taking their money. One scene in the film summaries this character perfectly, a tabloid article refers to him as a ‘corrupt Robin Hood’ who steals from the poor and keeps their money in his own pockets. His second in command Donny (Jonah Hill) helps Belfort establish his enterprise on Wall St. Together they form a formidable alliance and use their wealth for sex and drugs. The film does its best to show us the lavish lifestyles of theses stock brokers and it succeeds. But as he did in ‘Goodfellas’, Scorsese shows the downfall of such men in what is an enthralling hunt by the FBI to chase down and arrest Belfort.

The performances in this film are phenomenal, Jonah Hill is hilarious in his role and deserves to be at least nominated for best supporting actor. DiCaprio is stunning as always, however his performance isn’t as good as Christian Bale’s (American Hustle) and thus doesn’t deserve to be awarded as the best actor. Newcomer Margot Robbie fits the style of the movie as the luscious wife who entices Jordan with her visual beauty. The actors immerse themselves in their roles and never break character, this makes the film ever so rewarding to see. You forget you are watching two Hollywood actors as they fully embrace their roles and  become Jordan and Danny. The characters in this film are likable, you sympathize with Jordan and envy his lifestyle , which makes him both likable and detestable.

Despite the film receiving criticisms for its explicit nature, I believe it is graphic but not to the extent that its unbearable or that it glorifies the life that these men led. Instead, this sexual nature and constant drug abuse only serve to develop the characters and to explain what life was actually like during that set time and thus it enhances the overall movie and is not gratuitous.

The film also has received attention as it being compared to Russell’s ‘American Hustle’. Both films are about conmen and whilst ‘American Hustle’ is far more intelligent, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is superior  due to its excellent craftsmanship. It never slows down, throughout the 3 hours the film only builds up momentum with hilarious scenes and scenes which are frightening yet funny. The wit of this film is better than ‘American Hustle’ and whilst the acting may not be, it is a far more enjoyable film that pushes its 18 rating to the max.

All in all, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is the most enjoyable and entertaining film I have seen in a while, it isn’t mindless as it packs substance with huge character development to the extent that you sympathize with a crook. The film challenges your stance of issues regarding drugs and makes you fall in love with a villain. The film evokes all emotion and the superb acting and direction often makes you feel as you are sitting in the office in which Belfort is talking as you feel motivated by DiCaprio’s performance. The film should most definitely obtain awards as it is an example of film-making at its best.