The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Genre: Biographical / Comedy

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie

Running time: 180 minutes

The Wolf of Wall Street is an adaptation of the memoirs of Jordan Belfort, a New York City stockbroker who became a millionaire thanks to corruption and fraud within his own company. The film covers Belfort’s rise and his ultimate downfall that saw him end up in Federal prison.

I have never been the biggest Leonardo DiCaprio fan. I have always been annoyed by the mugging he does for the camera, always putting on that extreme tough guy face that never seems to look legit.

In this film, though, there is none of that. Maybe the guidance of a great director like Martin Scorsese has helped him become a better actor, with all the movies they have done together over the years. I have really loved Leo’s work in The Wolf of Wall Street. His performance brings the needed dose of irreverence to the role of Jordan Belfort. DiCaprio serves as actor and narrator, always being on the beat in both aspects.

I must admit I was extremely surprised by Jonah Hill. I did not know he had that kind of performance in him, but he has truly shown his depth as an actor.

The story of The Wolf of Wall Street is riveting and compelling, and the actors and director did some awesome work bringing it to the screen. I really appreciated the fact that the filmmakers did not work overtime trying to make the protagonist into a poor soul victim of his entourage. This is a film that does not take itself seriously; its irreverence absolutely refreshing. Some have criticized the fact that it does not paint a picture true enough to the real one, but hey, this is not a documentary. It is an entertaining movie, well written, directed and acted out. It drags a bit in some places, but, overall, a fun time of movie-watching.

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