"The Wolf of Wall Street'

Rating: 10/10 (5 August 2014)

The Wolf of Wall Street" is a 2013 American black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name. It was released on December 25, 2013. The screenplay was written by Terence Winter, and the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker who runs a firm that engages in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the 1990s. The film also features Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau, and Jean Dujardin.
If "American Hustle" divided people on whether they like the film or not, than "The Wolf of Wall Street" had audiences divided on the content that was presented. The film was accused by some who thought the movie was glorying the characters and their lifestyles. Or that the film didn't show what the victims were going through and how their life's were affected. And in a respectful matter, I feel they(Or you if you felt that way.) miss the point of the film, or were expecting something that Scorsese was not intending to do. He was not trying to tell the viewer what they should think, but rather show the lifestyle these people had, and let the audience make their own judgments. I find that very respectful to the audience intelligence, and makes the film have a much lasting longer impact than it would have if it had pick a side. And with that out of the way, let's talk about "The Wolf of Wall Street".
This is by far, Martin Scorsese funniest film. Packed full of witty, clever dialogue that is highly quotable. It felt like Terrance Winter was having a ball on what lines to put in the script to maximize the laughs. My stomach was busting from how much the film made me laugh. The film also uses a good deal of visual and physical humor, making the jokes form feeling one-note. If "The Wolf of Wall Street" was looking just to make people laugh, than it succeeded in spades. It was a giant laugh riot.
The humor, and the film as a whole is elevated by Martin Scorsese direction. The camera-work is vibrant, and Scorsese knows how to make the camera make the viewer sees the story form the characters perspective. That, and his always masterful use of narration makes the "The Wolf of Wall Street" feel less than 3-hours. However, the acting must be on par with these elements to make the package feel complete. And my goodness are the actors brilliant. Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance I might have ever seen from him. Not just from how he is clearly having a ton of fun in the role, which is refreshing compare to his dramatic, but still highly stellar roles he done recently, but DiCaprio is fully invested into the role. All traces of Leonardo DiCaprio were gone, he is Jordan Belfort. Also, I was greatly surprised at how he great he is at psychical comedy. I laugh myself to the ground, literally.
Jonah Hill also gives his best performance as well, truly dedicated to the material given to him. Again I didn't see the actor, but the character, and his chemistry with DiCaprio is perfect. For a actor that is criticized by some for playing the same role, Hill has reached a point in his career to were he is considered award-worthy. That is highly impressive in my book. The supporting cast is terrific also, with performances from Rob Reiner and a small, but pivotal role from Matthew McConaughey that almost steals the show.
While "The Wolf of Wall Street" masterfully works as a comedy, the film stills a good number of effective dramatic sequences. After all, the film is meant to provide insight on the life's these people had, and the consequences they faced for their actions they committed. And the tragedy of it is, it seems that people like the ones in "The Wolf of Wall Street" are destined to exist, even if they ruined the life's of others.
Funny as all hell, masterfully directed with phenomenal performances across the board, and even thought provoking, "The Wolf of Wall Street" is one of my favorite Scorsese films, and among with "Goodfellas", his most re-watchable flick. Even when it nears at the 3-hour mark, I can't get enough of it. That what incredible filmmaking does for me.