WOW – 2 hours and 55 minutes and it just flew by! This movie is so fast-paced and never lags is clearly one of the reasons you don’t realize just how long it is. Fact: It took 7 years to make!
Based on a true story, it sheds some light on why the economy tanked. DiCaprio spent months working with Belfort in an effort to bring the author’s experiences which led him from “pond scum” to the Wolf of Wall Street, to life on the screen. The film is all about sex, drugs and greed and barely missed receiving a NC-17 rating. Scorcese frantically cut some of the more salacious scenes and just squeaked by not having the movie rated NC-17. One might wonder why such a fuss might be made about sex and naked people when these very people committed despicable acts and ruined other people’s lives, like that wasn’t offensive enough?
The Wolf of Wall Street is a funny movie, the audience at the SAG screening I attended laughed all the way though it. Yes, it was funny, because the dialogue is witty, clever and oh so natural, enhanced by superlative performances by all especially DiCaprio and Hill. However, now a couple of hours later as I mull over this post, I think the movie probably glamorizes extra-marital and unsafe sex, STDs, excessive substance abuse as well as dishonesty and greed. Yes, there is a comeuppance at the end of the film, but perhaps not as much in comparison to havoc the players wrecked on the lives of others during that 5 year run.
Scorcese, at age 71, is at the top of his directorial powers, seemingly invigorated by the energy of the material and the fact that his ultimate financiers, Red Granite, gave him the green light to go all out and push the envelope with no holds barred. And that’s exactly what he and his actors did which just might be why given the freedom to go all out, the acting and dialogue is absolutely believable. And as I type that line, I want to add in parenthesis, disgusting and despicable as it was!
I have never been a huge DiCaprio fan, however, I’m happy to say he was AMAZING! What an exhausting and physical role! His looks are maturing and again let me say, his role as Jordan Belfort is surely going to put him in the final 5 for Best Actor.
As a final observation, I thought his wardrobe was impeccable, particularly loved his ties and definitely did not like the dye job on his hair, a very unnatural black.
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The last few Scorsese pics left me a little disappointed. I had begun to think Marty had become a ‘gun for hire’ and that his brilliance may have been spent (his earlier works were some of the best movies ever made). I attended a screening of The Wolf of Wall Street this evening, and was expecting to be unimpressed. I am happy to say I was completely blown away. This pic is Marty at his best. I laughed, I cringed, I related (with fond memories as well as a bit of guilt) and I TOTALLY believed every unbelievable moment. A good book, a great screenplay and a delightful cast were formed and molded into what I believe should get Scorsese a best director Oscar, and likely a Best Picture Award for the movie. Leo DiCaprio has grown into a versatile actor and his creation of this super hero dirtbag’s roller coaster ride in this crazy (true) story is really honest and delightfully entertaining. Jonah Hill pulled out all the stops too and this is definitely his best work. Thank you Mr. Scorsese for delivering the goods so brilliantly!
More about the movie you can also find it here
http://movieinfodb.com/en/movie/106646/The+Wolf+of+Wall+Street-2013
Grateeful for sharing this