Textbook Scorsese

Rating: 1/10 (6 February 2014)

It's a terrible film.
The lead players (DiCaprio and Hill) are never believable in their roles. Neither of them age through the film. Neither of them can yell or emote, or do anything other than look like a smug chump.
The plot is nonsensical, with too much detail in irrelevant areas followed by omitting large amounts of what I would assume to be important to the believability of the film.
There are lots of crane / wire / dolly shots that distract people. The cameras are expensive, the boom mics never fall into frame, the editing is fine.
It's clear than this film is trying to be a modern day equivalent to the Godfather or Scarface, following the rise and fall and relationships over time. You need a great actor to carry that kind of story. DiCaprio can't even carry his hairpiece believably.
Jean DuJardin is a powercock. If they'd made a film starring him then maybe it could have been enjoyable.
The scene with the phone cord and the choking on food on the floor might be the worst piece of cinema made in the last 25 years.