The Wolf of Wall Street released in the United States on Christmas Day last year, directed by Martin Scorsese is an adaptation of the book with the same title written by the central protagonist Jordan Belfort. The story involves the development of a New York stockbroker whom builds his own dynastic firm which is fundamentally based upon peddling low-cost "Pink Sheet" stocks at inflated prices in order to reap maximal profits for the individual brokering the deal.
The protagonist and managing director for the scheme is Jordan Belfort played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film chronicles Belfort's rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life of the stockbroking Rock and Roll superstar (sex, lies, drugs and rock and roll), to his decline when he becomes the object of Agent Patrick Denham's criminal investigation into his economic empire.
This three-hour American Black comedy depicts the hedonistic "devil may care" attitude of the successive stockbroker in the opening sequence. Throughout the course of the film, the viewer is situated in a position where they disapprove of Belfort's behaviour, but they are simultaneously impressed by his propensity to simply "not care" about any of his responsibilities. This ability to entirely dispel himself of his moral conscience permits the audience to condemn and yet experience "elite" hedonism.
Leonardo DiCaprio effectively captures the true hedonist completely and alongside his main co-stars, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie, the film becomes a dark comedic adventure in which the viewer is drawn into the world presented from beginning to end.
Furthermore, for the British viewer, Joanna Lumley makes an appearance as Aunt Emma to Jordan Belfort's beautiful model wife Naomi Lapaglia, played by Margot Robbie. With her authentic British vernacular, Lumley presents the typical British demeanour perfectly capturing the quintessential British wit and satire wrapped in the stereotypical demure noble package.
However, having said all of this, the film does evocatively embellish scenes of nudity and drug use in excess. The abundance of naked bodies and sex scenes was too frequent and unfaltering for my personal taste. The film could have easily made the same impact, carried the identical impact of the hedonist culture it portrays without the unnecessary displays of nakedness. I would definitely recommend this film for viewing, just watch out for all the nudity and full-frontal sex scenes.
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