Before I watched The Wolf of Wall Street, I only learned that it would be a movie marked Martin Scorsese and Leonardo Di Caprio’s fifth collaboration with 520++ F-words and underwhelmed International reviews; a biopic which bears 5 Oscar nominations this year. Well, equipped with such info, I intentionally stayed away from reviews and buzzes to keep myself thrilled and surprised when I finally see it (fair enough). In the end, I finally realized that I’ve just watched ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES in 2013, and even, among Scorsese’s filmography.
Dubbed after a nickname of Jordan Belfort (spectacularly portrayed by Leonardo Di Caprio), The Wolf of Wall Street is a tale of money-man with his controversial, depraved rise and fall. Jordan, a previously common man, tries his luck as a stockbroker in Wall Street under guidances from senior Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey in his brief yet outstanding role) only to find his firm’s and his own collapse. He then moves to a smaller firm and finally finds his own money-quarry under his own firm Stratton Oakmond, with assistances of his old friends and his cunning ‘eventual’ bestie, Donnie Azzoff (Jonah Hill). Earning millions illegally, he meets his financial success that finally turns his life into a glamorous, jetset one; a life that gets him all the things he wants, even a new super-model wife (portrayed by Margot Robbie). Well, his illegal acts arouse FBI’s suspicions thru Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) who investigates deceits in Wall Street. At last, the greed of this beast-transformed decent man takes its toll on him.
The Wolf of Wall Street is an amazingly wild, depraved, twisted, and beautiful party of money and debauchery. Scorsese confidently displays excessive pictures of sex and drugs use–money, cocaine, liquour, prostitution, orgy, and party are everywhere. However, none of them makes Scorsese’s longest movie, which is clocked at 165 mins (originally hits 179 mins), a boring one. I perceive that the discerning pace of which and aesthetic set-pieces make it enjoyable and easy to follow, although the movie is packed with stock market talks that possibly alienate pure audiences. The overwhelming duration definitely makes Terence Winters’ screenplay realistic in deifying Jordan’s being so hedonically explosive. Narrated with cocky monologues by Di Caprio’s Jordan (who sometimes really stares the audience), the movie really talks to the audiences as a plot device that enhances the pace.
How this movie turns astoundingly astonishing is, of course, the dynamic works of editing and cinematography–courtesy of Thelma Schoonmaker and Rodrigo Prieto. Their works convincingly enhance the tale of money in The Wolf of Wall Street into a particular level. Believe it or not, I just judge this matter only by observing the various kinds of shot and technique displayed. Not to forget the role of the whole art and production department including costume that shows us a clear look of billionaire’s outfits along with wild parties involving chimps, midgets, strippers, and marching bands. What makes a party great is, definitely, people behind the party itself.
Well, I definitely praise the casts for their total, fabulous roles. Lined-up with experienced Oscar nominees and a winner, these ensembles are cool. First thing first, I really expects Di Caprio wins his first Oscar ever for his mesmerizing portrayal of Jordan Belfort. Under Scorsese’s directing, he has already been a douche-bag–a lovable anti-hero. Jordan Belfort’s persona clings into his own appeal. On his side, there is Jonah Hill who portrays Donnie Azzoff–a stranger who turns into Jordan’s best partner; a role that leads him to his second Oscar nomination. Amazingly, Hill makes strong bounds with Di Caprio that really escalates the protagonist’s chance of aiming Oscar. Margot Robbie seduces, not to forget, Oscar winner Jean Dujardin, who protrays a banker who gets involved in these illegitimate matters, while Scorsese’s fellow directors, John Favreu et al, properly entertains. Last but not least, I will never miss McConaughey’s brief role that really steals the show with his humming tune.
The Wolf of Wall Street is obviously fun in a way that I can’t tell. It’s more than just Scorsese rise-and-shine sign or simply Oscar contender–it’s an Oscar worth instead. Pleasant and enjoyable yet taking some times, that’s what I can say, since it’s a kind of masterpiece from the master that you really need to see by yourself in order to find the pleasure. Well-done, Marty!
TITLE: The Wolf of Wall Street
RATING:
GENRE: Biopic, Drama, Comedy, Crime / DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese / WRITERS: Terence Winters (Based on the memoirs of Jordan Belfort) / EDITOR: Thelma Schoonmaker / CINEMATOGRAPHER: Rodrigo Prieto / CASTS: Leonardo Di Caprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Kyle Chandler
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