by Joseph Rossi
Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is a disgusting, nauseating, deplorable film about greed on Wall Street. I loved it.
Earlier this year Ron Howard reinvented himself when he directed his racing movie, Rush. It felt so unlike his other works. I felt he took chances with his direction. Those daring choices showed the mark of extreme confidence. Here, Scorsese, working with a crack script by Terrence Winter, as well as alongside his usual crew of film buffs, actors and technicians, never shows signs of his 71-year-old self. I felt as if I was watching some 30 year old hot shot director at the start of his career. This film moves, man. And moves well for a three-hour opus that, in anyone else’s hands, would’ve been chopped and sliced up like a ham and cheese on rye bread.
The film is based on the real life “wolf” Jordan Belfort and his crooked rags to riches rise to the top of the stock market. He is played here by a darkly funny, narcissistic, egocentric, sex and drug fueled Leonardo DiCaprio. Ladies and gents, this is the best performance of the year. If you think Scorsese reinvents himself, watch Leo. This ain’t Titanic. Here he unleashes a character so raw and flawed that at points I thought I was watching a young Jack Nicholson. Jonah Hill, Rob Reiner, and Matthew McConaughey are some of his costars and who all do amazing work. Scorsese brings out the best in actors and here is wall-to-wall proof.
There are scenes in this film that will be long remembered, the top being Belfort’s wild ride while on a quaalude high. It is the funniest and trippiest scene Scorsese has ever filmed. The film is a must see for anyone who loves the daring side of Martin Scorsese. It will be long studied. This is one of best films of the year as well as one of the best ever by this top American master.
