The Wolf of Wall Street Movie Review

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2014)

There's a lot to look forward to in "The Wolf of Wall Street":
The Wolf of Wall Street is a dramatic comedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a stock broker who is trying to make a name for himself on Wall Street. The screenplay was adapted from the memoirs of the real Jordan Belfort, and therefore the movie functions like a biography that satires many aspects of his life and behaviors, including his perceptions about society and business culture on Wall Street in particular. The movie is about Belfort's opportunities for success on Wall Street being stripped away early in his career, only to find himself working for a firm selling penny stocks, and turning the unsuccessful boutique firm into a wildly successful corporation named Stratton Oakmont Inc.
To make matters even more challenging for Belfort, his professional ambitions are coupled with drug and sex addictions. While Belfort has an extraordinary business mind, he is also unreliable, womanizing, and almost always intoxicated. The traditional idea of the American dream is not a satisfactory idea for him. His parents were accountants, and he was raised in a middle class family. Through investments, Belfort made tens of millions of dollars in his early twenties. He very much desired to be a member of the upper class. Therefore, he constantly strives to make himself successful financially. While financial success is a noble pursuit, Belfort's behavior is irresponsible and reckless. Cocaine, prescription pills, non-prescription pills, prostitutes and a never ending supply of alcohol are the behaviors successful people should have according to Belfort. These behaviors created addictions within a flawed central character.
Audiences learn very quickly that Belfort is far from a perfect man. They also learn how skillful he is in marketing and communication. Forbes Magazine publishes an article on Belfort and Stratton Oakmont Inc., calling him "The Wolf of Wall Street". The magazine article pinpointed that Belfort achieved financial success by misleading investors in order to receive the highest possible profits. Belfort is painted as the inverse of the famous character Robin Hood, where he is responsible for stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. Belfort is later held responsible for these practices throughout the film.
The Wolf of Wall Street reveals Belfort's aspirations, obstacles and relationships. The movie depicts the chronology of Belfort's personal and business life. DiCaprio's performance will receive nominations from multiple award programs in 2014 for its depth, versatility and quality. It is probably the most socially relevant film in the box office right now, and it reveals a lot about business culture on Wall Street and one's personal struggle for success.