Review: The Wolf of Wall Street

Marty Marty Marty. You old scoundrel, you’ve done it again. With his latest offering the seemingly immortal Mr Scorsese has given viewers a film that smacks you round the face, brings you round with smelling salts, then smacks you round the face again.

This three-hour walkthrough of the Wall Street career of one Jordan Belfort is narrated and presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, and if what we are led to believe is true, this crazy nonstop ride is a mere drop in the ocean as to what actually happened. That beggars belief if true, as the film is one of the most chaotic and brutally raw pieces of cinema in recent memory. For a stylistic note (WARNING: PRETENTIOUSNESS IMMINENT) think Francis Ford Coppolla combined with Baz Luhrmann.

An unlikely combination indeed, and on that note let’s talk about the onscreen BFFs that are DiCaprio and Jonah Hill (Donnie Azof). In their public appearances before and since Wolf came out the two have demonstrated a clear friendship and respect for each other, and this chemistry comes across in the movie as they laugh, cry, fight, and snort their way through.

When you consider that Superbad only came out six and a half years ago you have to admire the career so far of the now double Oscar nominee Hill, and wonder how far he will go when he begins to take on the leading dramatic roles he is surely destined for. It of course almost goes without saying these days that DiCaprio is superb in this role, demonstrating his uncanny ability to play that guy you just love to hate (think Gatsby on speed, coke, and every other drug you can think of). Will it be his year? (For what it’s worth, I’m personally not sure he cares).

The supporting cast is incredibly strong and doesn’t put a foot wrong, with particular praise having to go to the weird and wonderful character portrayal by Matthew McConaughey. Rarely can you see a top class actor like DiCaprio blown off the screen, but McConaughey’s cameo (unfortunately too short in the film but too long in the trailer) is a highly amusing one, and a great way to get the movie going and the audience comfortable.

You won’t be comfortable for long though, as once those smelling salts having taken hold you are whisked away into a world of villainy, debauchery, and outrageous consumption. Wolf pulls off that difficult trick of keeping the pace high while not exhausting the viewer, and for a three-hour film that is no mean feat. Sure it’s not for the faint hearted, but don’t go and see a Scorsese film if you fall into that category.

A lot of people are musing that this might be Scorsese’s best yet. Difficult to tell for me – what it lacks against the intelligence of The Departed, the brutality of Goodfellas, and the psychological thrills of Shutter Island, it makes up for with a circus ride of colour and an exploration of every possible human emotion.

Anyway, don’t listen to me guffing on. See for yourself. Well worth the ticket price.