Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Wolf of Wall Street

The three hour length film does not seem that long upon viewing. From one extreme scene to another sight of debauchery, it holds your attention. It would be distractingly offensive if it were not so sharply written and clearly not serious. Based on the book by real life main character, Jordan Belfort, Leonardo DiCaprio gives a manic performance as narrator and ring master to the shenanigans. The Wolf of Wall Street received five Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor for DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actor for Jonah Hill, director and adapted screenplay. There is a huge cast. Margot Robbie is captivating as Belfort's wife. Jon Bernthal is almost unrecognizable and Kyle Chandler, Jon Favreau, Jean Dujardin, Rob Reiner, Matthew McConaughey, and Joanna Lumley all make big impacts with their small roles. All the merry idiots Belfort employs are seamlessly cast as well.
Martin Scrosese has the established career and the talent to pull off such a romp. With his partnering with DiCaprio they manage to pull off such elements as breaking the fourth wall, having Belfort speak directly to the audience, characters speaking telepathically to one another, and much of the movie is narrated. In the hands of a lesser director, the movie would be schlock. Do not see this film with mixed company, it is full of drugs and orgies. And orgies of drugs. A record 506 f-bombs in a R rated movie. Dicaprio's full dedication to the role and lack of any sign of hesitation is also responsible for the success of the picture. Not likely to win any Oscars, the five nominations are the movies reward. The victims of the real life Belfort are non to pleased with the attention and lack of their own restitution. That's Hollywood baby.

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