I do like Martin Scorsese's films - well, most of what I have seen at least. The man knows his craft - he's not some cheap, two-bit director, but a guy that can really tell a story well. With TWOWS, he's churned out a highly engaging 3 hours of cinema. Not many directors can pull off that kind of feat. This is not a Lord of the Rings extravaganza, with plenty of action to keep audiences entertained. This is a drama/comedy that will entertain the crap out of you. If you're easily offended, then please stay away.
Leonardo Di Caprio plays the true life character of Jordan Belfort. Based on his own life story, this film covers his exploits as a Wall Street stockbroker. He started out with a basic ambition - make money. Mentored early on by Mark Hanna (hilariously played by Matthew McConaughey, in a brief appearance), he learns the basics of how to get people to part with their money, and how to stay calm in the job. This involves drugs, jerking off (at least twice a day) and alcohol. Sounds good, right?
The film itself focuses on these few years of Jordan indulging in all the vices that his sketchy methods of stockbroking have allowed him. He makes milions, and can't help but feed his penchant for cocaine, hookers, cars, cocaine, and hookers again. Supremely confident, I sat wondering what it would have been like to be this guy for one day in his prime.
Leo is true to his usual form - fantastic. He is deserving of an Oscar, and has been for many years. Along with him, Jonah Hill plays Jordan's right hand man Donnie Azoff. He's a slimy character, more depraved than Jordan in some ways. Jonah Hill is effective in the role, but I don't think it's an Oscar worthy performance. Margot Robbie is great as Jordan's hot wife. She brings the right attitude and sexiness to the role.
Scorsese shows us an extreme world of over indulgence, ridiculous office antics, and cruelty in the form of taking peoples hard earned dollars without any sense of ethics or morality. This is entertainment though, not a study on the impacts of these Wall Street thieves on the common man. This is more about the fun you can have while living that supreme life of a money loving, drug fueled sex addict - and how that vacuous life can lead to you ultimately having nothing of real worth.
Rating:
4 out of 5. Highly entertaining.
