Goodfellas 2

Rating: 8/10 (2 August 2014)

The summary/title of this review may seem odd, but it really does sum this particular film up, though not in a bad way.
It's the story of Jordan Balfort, a stockbroker, and his rise, excesses and eventual, inevitable fall. As with Goodfellas, it's based on a true story with some fiction mixed in for dramatic purposes. As with Goodfellas, the narrative takes the form of a story being told by the protagonist. And the plot covers a very similar story to that of Goodfellas, albeit with slightly less violence.
So why the 8 star rating? Simply because the script and performances are first class. Jonah Hill in particular warrants a special mention for a brilliant performance as Balfort's right hand man. The rest of the cast are impressive as well, delivering every well written line perfectly and making the late 80's live again. Anyone who enjoyed Goodfellas should love it.
To sum up, 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is a sequel to 'Goodfellas' in everything but name and matches that film's impact. Good stuff.