The Dynamic Duo Returns

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2013)

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo Dicaprio collaborate once again for The Wolf of Wall Street, and the duo once again knocks it out of the park. As matter of fact, this is Martin Scorsese's best movie in years and this is perhaps Dicaprio's best performance of all time. If you can stomach the constant glorification of drugs, prostitution, adultery, money laundering, and midget tossing, you're in for a real treat. If you have religious convictions, you might want to stay away from this film. The Wolf of Wall Street is swimming in sin. Sweet, savory sin.
Sex, sex, sex. Quaaludes, quaaludes. Cocaine, cocaine, and midget tossing. This movie is filled with what some would call "filth" and others would call "treasures". It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, because lets face it: this movie has the potential to offend at least several groups of people out there. Feminists might be turned off by the sexual representation of many of the female characters. Religious people will scoff at the unruly nature of the Wall Street Wolves. Government kiss-asses will throw their hands in disgust over the middle finger this film waves at them. During my public viewing, I heard gasps and noticed a lot of people walking out in the middle of the movie. But Scorsese is a man with a legacy, and he didn't let the potential to offend people stifle his creative vision. If you the viewer allows yourself to enjoy the film, you will find a film with great acting, groovy music, and top notch cinematography. Scorsese still has it.
Although Jordan Belfort's controversial life isn't one to imitate, there is a heck of a lot of inspiration that I drew from the man's passion and leadership skills. What he did was illegal, but it was also impressive. He built an empire from scraps, and carried himself with enough confidence to build up his foot soldiers. Ultimately, his illegal activity catches up to him, but he was fortunate enough to survive the wasteland left in his wake. When you're an animal as fierce as a wolf, you take what you want, and you not only survive, you thrive.