DId I miss the 90s?

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2015)

In the latest collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio (still with no love from the Academy), we get a glimpse into the world of high finance, high living, greed, decadence and corruption in the Wall Street of the 1980s. With Mr. Scorsese's usual excellent direction and Mr. DiCaprio's charisma, the 3 hour movie never pauses for a moment or allows the viewer to become bored.
The plot is straight-forward without any surprises yet remains interesting on the sheer power of the director and the star. Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) starts as a straight-laced, young Wall Street broker eager for the things only money can buy. But after being laid off following Black Monday, Belfort learns about the world of finance removed from the glitzy world of Wall Street. Learning to take advantage of his salesmanship skills and the ignorance of the general populace (as well as the undermanned regulatory agencies), Belfort amasses a huge fortune illegally which he spends visibly and without restraint on drugs and women. When finally cornered by the FBI on his illegal activities, Belfort first chooses to fight before finally facing the reality that all is lost.
The movie fully earns its R Rating for the record-setting number of F-bombs, as well as rampant drug use and graphic scenes throughout.