With five Academy Award nominations under its belt it would be foolish to say that The Wolf of Wall Street is a bad film, and it's certainly not. Yes it's a film about bad things, but truthfully that is what makes it so fantastic. Doused in controversy by critics and cinema goers alike over its content of sex, drugs and recurrent nudity, TWOWS has made watching films exciting again. I'm not going to say that I don't enjoy a good historical drama, because I do, and I think movies like 12 Years a Slave are viscerally gripping masterpieces; however sometimes I yearn for something different, something that will leave my shocked but unable to look away... something like Leonardo DiCaprio's naked bottom.
With a total 180 minute runtime, TWOWS is not for the faint hearted (or weak bladdered; I suggest that you skip the extortionately priced cinema drinks this time). For the most part it is a fast paced, beautifully constructed film, however with around 40 minutes left to go it does become a bit taxing and it is likely that you won't be able to feel you legs by the time the credits roll- and that's without the Quaaludes!
There is no question that the casting for TWOWS was perfect. DiCaprio does an excellent job of portraying stockbroker Jordan Belfort- a loud performance that is undoubtedly one of his best to date, well deserved of multiple best actor nods by various awards committees. The supporting cast also offer a chorus of hilarity and intrigue, standing apart from the crowd; Jonah Hill shines as a faithful acolyte and newcomer Margot Robbie's turn as Belfort's trophy wife was surprisingly refreshing.
As usual Scorsese has jumped the line of political correctness. TWOWS glamourizes Belfort's indulgent and reckless drug and money fuelled lifestyle, making it look fun and desirable. However at the same time I found that throughout the movie Scorsese is treating the audience like adults and pushing a dark comical tone that different from the rest of his films.
Throughout TWOWS you are torn between whether to laugh or cringe and look away while a nude marching band invades the screen, an aptly named 'stripper stampede' charges into view or when a dwarf soars towards you - but this is all part of the experience, you don't know what to expect!!
It sells us the sleaze and the cringeworthy moments (and sure it sells us hard) and is on the whole, ultimately ridiculous. Structurally it is essentially and American rise-and-fall story, it doesn't follow stereotypes and in no way pays out how you would expect it would...and that's what makes The Wolf of Wall Street so brilliant.
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