Entertaining performances and visuals alongside a slight lack of serviceable writing

Rating: 7/10 (10 September 2016)

Usual hit-or-miss director Todd Phillips returns after the last couple of force fed Hangover duds, but delivers a steadily paced and solidly entertaining biopic which has been marketed as a "Wolf Of Wall Street" for the "Hangover" fans.
The film's plot revolves around two young in-over-their-heads gun runners, told from the perspective of the relative straight man of the duo David Packouz, portrayed by Miles Teller. Jonah Hill plays Efraim Diveroli, the bombastic and over confident member of the two. The film relies on the set up to be the plot as the story more or less takes us through the whole meaty parts of the true story in a positively meandering fashion, as the leads run into major success as well as major mishaps.
Both Hill and Teller successfully carry this film, though Hill is given center stage as well as more scenes and moments as opportunities to shine. Teller works well in his role once again deferring from the loud/party animal figure his introductory roles offered. After seeing "The Spectacular Now" and "Whiplash", it was hard not to think of how great his role here could have been if given more room to work. Hill impresses in his role, offering layers of seediness and greed under the likable and humorous character he portrays. Nonetheless the acting all round is solidly delivered.
Phillips does a sufficient job with his directing duties, as the passion can be noticed behind the film. Cinematographer Lawrence Sher offers impressive visuals of each of the settings that are shown throughout.
I would recommend this film for it's entertaining performances, steady pacing and visuals. Though the writing may be on and off in its quality throughout. 7/10.