The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Outspoken, Crazy and The Totality of DiCaprio

Stars   :  Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Score   :  7.0 / 10

 

Nowadays, I'm busy with a lot of jobs at the beginning of year. I was forced to reduce the time to write a review. So, some movies that I watched were too late to be posted, one of them is The Wolf of Wall Street. The Wolf of Wall Street is Leonardo DiCaprio's movie in 2013 after The Great Gatsby. Although has already passed, but it was released in Indonesia at the end of January 2014. As a DiCaprio fan, I will not miss his movie. From the start, I've committed to watching it in the theaters and in early February 2014, I finally watched it in theaters. This movie has a long duration, about 150 minutes, although many cut by Indonesian film censorship, caused of too many hot scenes. If it is not censored, it will took 180 minutes to watch this movie.

The Wolf of Wall Street is a true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio). My first impression when read the title "Wall Street", I suspect the story relates to the world of stock market. That's right, Belfort is a successful American broker. But do not worry, because this movie is not going to invite the audience to get bored and stuck into various term of stock market. I am also not familiar and do not know anything about the stock market, but I can still enjoy this movie. The surprise is you will find a lot of funny scenes and dialogues in it. This movie is very outspoken, crazy and entertaining. 150 minutes goes by without bored.

Jordan Belfort 

Belfort is 22 years old ambitious man and got married. He wanted to be a rich man. To realize it, Belfort chose to become a stock broker. At that time, he just got a new job in LF. Rothschild. In LF. Rothschild, Belfort met an eccentric low profile senior broker, Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey). Belfort received many advices from Hanna to become a successful broker. The funny one is a punch on chest while singing a song 'Hhhmm.. hhhmm.." as working spirit booster. Belfort eventually get a license as broker. But unfortunately, on the first day when he works as a licensed broker, on October 19th, 1987, the stock price fell massively. They called it as Black Monday. LF. Rothschild, which was established in 1899 went bankrupt and Belfort lost his job.  

Belfort and Hanna, a punch on chest as working spirit booster

Black Monday, October 19th 1987

Following advice of his wife, Teresa Petrillo (Cristin Milioti), Belfort applying his job application as a stock broker at Investor's Center, Long Island. Unlike LF. Rothschild, Investor's Center is a small company. Investor's Center sells small stocks through magazines and telephone. They sell stock to the people who do not understand well about stock but have a dream to become rich. As commission, Investor's Center gives 50 percent from the price to the broker. On the first day of work, Belfort was able to sell stock with a high price. Belfort has good marketing skill. He can influence people to buy 'garbage' stocks. He gets a lot of commissions and start living better than ever. He also bought a luxury car. 

While having lunch, Belfort met his neighbor, Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill). Donnie was very interested in Belfort's life. Donnie decided to follow Belfort became a broker. They became friends and spent time together. Belfort getting know and use drugs from Donnie. They set up their own business and rent a garage as an office to sell the stock. They also invited some friends to become a broker in their company. Belfort trains them to be active and smart in speaking to influence people to buy stock. Belfort gave a name to the company, Stratton Oakmont. 

Belfort and his business, Stratton Oakmont

Belfort leads Stratton Oakmont very well. Every morning, Belfort asks all the staff gathered to listen morning motivation. If company succeeds earn high profits, Belfort made a 'crazy' party in the office for staff. Belfort provides women, liquor and drugs at that party. Not surprisingly, if almost all staff respects and loved Belfort. Slowly but sure, Belfort makes Stratton Oakmont as stock brokerage firm which can be reckoned.

A madness in Stratton Oakmont

Belfort's economic life, increased, as well as all Stratton Oakmont staff. Belfort buy a mansion with many servants, white ferrari like Don Jhonson's in Miami Vice, some horses and jewelry for his wife. But he did not realize that his life also changed. He started to like having fun with prostitutes and consume drugs. He gave a priority for work, money and never felt satisfied. The climax is when he met a beautiful model, Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie). Belfort has a special relationship with Naomi. Teresa knew it and their marriage were destroyed. Belfort chose Naomi and divorced his wife. They got married and lived happily with two children.

Belfort when seducing his wife, Nicole 

A funny scene in The Wolf of Wall Street

Unfortunately, it did not going smoothly; Belfort had to face many problems, starting from his personal life to his business. The profits earned by Stratton Oakmont has made the FBI became suspicious. FBI keeps track of Stratton Oakmont secretly. The differences opinion to quarrel between Belfort co-workers made them not compact anymore. They were fight and clash each other. Because of that, FBI can solve the case of money laundering by Belfort. 

This is the fourth time DiCaprio played in Martin Scorsese film, after The Aviator, The Departed and Shutter Island. From the story side I chose The Departed, Shutter Island makes the audience curious, the most entertaining is The Wolf of Wall Street and I have not watched The Aviator. Because of long difference time between watch and write the review, I was forced to buy the DVD and watch it again to write this review. And I'm surprise knowing that many censored scenes and dialogue when watching it in theaters. There was some dialogue and scenes intended for adults, such as drugs and sex. In my opinion, The Wolf of Wall Street is 'crazy' as biographical film. How far everything in this movie close into the reality? I also do not know for sure, but I found this link that might be help : http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/12/31/wolf_of_wall_street_true_story_jordan_belfort_and_other_real_people_in_dicaprio.html

More than just tells about Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street presents a portrait of workaholic, greedy and materialistic. They looked at the people from what they had and used. So, there was some famous clothing brands called in this film. They thought that money can do and buy anything, a mansion, beautiful wife, political parties, justice and many more. Just try to remember what Belfort said when motivating his staff, always oriented to the money. They forget that money can destroy and change people. When they realize, they look very silly.

Totality acting from DiCaprio

My friends and my cousin said, this film is good. I agreed but only for the reason that this film is very entertaining, not more. In the otherside, I am actually sad to see the story content in it. A man who was already at the top of the world, but he did not feel happy. Ironic !!!. A friend who accompanied me to watch this film said, there is no something special in this film. He gave 7.0 to this film and I agreed because he has a good movie taste.

For DiCaprio, this film proved his totality in acting. DiCaprio should play all out with various styles, serious man, playboy, motivator, ambitious, over confident and the funniest was when he was addicted to drugs. Honestly, I really hope DiCaprio will bring Oscars this year in the best actor in a leading role category, but it has not been realized. DiCaprio should recognize Matthew McConaughey, played as Mark Hanna in The Wolf of Wall Street. McConaughey won that category through the film Dallas Buyers Club. I have not seen Dallas Buyers Club, but I watched him in Mud and he is not bad. 

DiCaprio congratulated McConaughey in The Oscars 2014
(Source : popsugar.com)