This is for Scorsese what EYES WIDE SHUT was for Kubrick (SPOILERS)

Rating: 1/10 (24 January 2014)

Thoroughly abysmal. Yes, I *got* it. But, if this is a black comedy or A cautionary tale (which is it, Leo? It can't be both, so make up your mind) then it missed the mark. If we're supposed to learn something from this, then please show me how his life was ruined (less than two years in prison for scamming tens of thousands of people out of their life savings forcing countless people to lose their homes? Spending millions of dollars on hookers and drugs? And he still lands on his feet in the end. How is this cautionary?) Yes, yes, I know that some villains escape retribution and (even worse) don't seem to have learned anything from their downfall -- this is beautifully portrayed in the flawless GOODFELLAS. But this movie applauds rather than excoriates this steaming dog turd Belfort - most of the men in the audience I was with seemed to enthusiastically admire Belfort and thought he had it made. They didn't seem in the least appalled by the sociopathic manner in which he treated his customers (inexplicably, none of whom we ever see, nor do we see the aftermath of their ruined lives courtesy of The Demon Belfort - you see, that would detract from the good ole fun porn movie Leo and Marty so enjoyed making - let's keep those libidos high and the laughs coming!) Any woman unlucky enough to move into his sphere is treated like a whore, then condemned for being so. The most vile behavior of the characters is played for laughs (I guess these scenes are supposed to be the black comedy parts but neither Marty nor Leo seem to understand what constitutes black comedy). You failed, Leo and Marty. You failed miserably. Unless of course your aim was to make a corporate "Porky's" in which case you succeeded. And apparently, there is an inexhaustible supply of grotesquely pathetic women in Hollywood who will strip for the camera any time, anywhere, for any reason whatsoever thereby making it difficult for the rest of the female population to be viewed as anything other than bodies to be used and then thrown away - thanks a lot. The Academy has become increasingly more psychotic over the years, but seeing this cow patty nominated for a slew of Oscars is the final straw. I have no faith in Oscar anymore. It has become completely meaningless.