What do you do when you're making more money than you know what to do with?
So, it turns out Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street has more in common with David DeCoteau's craptastic Wolves of Wall Street than anybody probably expected, least of all DeCoteau. For starters, both films are about a fledgling stockbroker who's recruited by a top firm and, while serving his apprenticeship, gets seduced by the hard-driving lifestyle of its dog top (in this film, it's Matthew McConaughey who plays mentor to ambitious Leonardo DiCaprio). Both films also delve into the high-pressure sales tactics and jargon-heavy scripts used by unethical brokers, as well as the debauchery they engage in after hours (exemplified by the copious whoring and drug use of DiCaprio and his partner, lude hoarder Jonah Hill). Most damaging of all, though, is the scene where DiCaprio raves and drools and loses control on his motor functions, yet totally fails to turn into a werewolf. Enough with the metaphors, Hollywood! Make with the transformations!
Anyway, since Terence Winter's screenplay is based on the book of the same name by Jordan Belfort, who's played by DiCaprio, it's quite appropriate that he narrates the film and even directly addresses the camera from time to time. It also isn't terribly surprising that he's able to attract an upwardly mobile second wife (Margot Robbie, who replaces his dowdier first model) and the attention of the FBI (represented by straight arrow Kyle Chandler), much to the chagrin of his ornery father (Rob Reiner) and securities attorney (Jon Favreau). Luckily, Robbie comes equipped with a British aunt (Joanna Lumley) who's able to help him move massive amounts of money into Jean Dujardin's Swiss bank when Chandler starts breathing down his neck, but even that solution has its pitfalls as he soon learns.
There are some who have leveled charges at The Wolf of Wall Street, saying it lionizes Belfort and endorses his excesses. Personally, I was appalled by his behavior and the toxic culture he cultivates at his company, which I imagine was Scorsese's intent. With this film, he comes to bury Belfort (under a mountain of cocaine and dollar bills), not to celebrate him. Anybody who claims to see a role model in the monster Scorsese and DiCaprio create is saying more about themselves than anyone else.