"The Wolf of Wall Street" Review

There was a film released in 1987 by Oliver Stone called Wall Street. Starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen, it became the definitive film about rise and fall in the financial world. Stock brokers across the globe would often come up to Stone, Douglas, and Sheen and tell them that the film is what influenced them to join that world. Gordon Gekko became a symbol for greed and a metaphor for American excess. If that film was made as a comedy, it would look a little something like The Wolf of Wall Street.

In the 1980s, Jordan Belfort attempts to enter the stock industry. His boss advises him that the true path to success involves the use of drugs and prostitutes in order to focus the mind. After Black Monday in 1987, he loses that job and starts over at a penny-stock exchange, earning a fortune through the legal loopholes and climbing to the top. His meteoric rise earns him the nickname The Wolf of Wall Street.

In my opening, I described the similarities to Oliver Stone's Wall Street. But make no mistake. This movie stands apart on its own merits and in no way am I saying that it is ripoff. The movie is a brilliant, unique meta-depiction of Jordan Belfort's rise and fall. While not something that we haven't necessarily seen before, the film chooses to have Jordan break the fourth wall by directly addressing the audience by looking at the camera. His narration directly changes the images on the screen, creating several moments of surreal humor. This technique surely makes the film stand apart on it's own.

What else works about the film is the major shifts in tone that never feel forced. The comedy that emerges from the story is genuinely funny and works in the moment. But when the story takes a turn for the worst, the tone shifts to a darkness that is both daunting and suspenseful. Martin Scorsese's superior direction works its magic across the spectrum creating a consistency that is everlasting.

What doesn't work about the film is it's drawn out length. While there's never any dull moments in the film, it just feels way too long. Some of the conversations just feel as if they could be shorter, and the film does take a while to reach it's goal. Make no mistake, this is a great movie. It just feels like too much movie.

Leonardo DiCaprio absolutely steals the show with his rounded, nuanced performance. He believably shifts from a likable Bud Fox to a conniving, success driven Gordon Gekko across the spectrum. His slick delivery, and sharp mannerisms truly pop, and his magnificent emotional range is transcendent. And while I've never seen anyone on Qualuudes before, I'm sure that DiCaprio's reactions are accurate. More than Oscar worthy, it will remain one of Leo's staples for eternity.

Jonah Hill also turns in one of his best. While clearly meant to be the comedy relief, he is much more than that. His turn as Jordan's trusted partner is deeply invested and almost as conniving as Leonardo's. He is the perfect foil.

Cristin Milioti (The Mother on How I Met Your Mother) portrays Jordan's first wife. She has such understated charm and sweetness to her. She is one of the few pure characters in this film, and her emotional outrage at what Jordan has become helps to ground the film. I sincerely regret not including her on my "Up and Comers" article.

Rob Reiner also comes in as another anchor to the film. He does the same thing that he did for Archie Bunker back in the 1970s. He is our moral center. Whilst playing Jordan's aggressive father, he attempt to talk some sense into our protagonist, and he does so with the same rebellious spirit that took his career off the ground.

The supporting players include Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin (from The Artist), Jon Bernthal, Kyle Chandler, and Jon Favreau, all of whom do magnificently in their capacities in Jordan's life. Scorsese has assembled a brilliant ensemble.

If you have the time, give this movie a look. It may be overly long and drawn out, but every moment has enough substance to keep you seated.

B+