Rent The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

A tale of greed, sex and illegal drugs in 1980s New York - The Wolf of Wall Street review by Philip in Paradiso

In 1987, Jordan Belfort (L Di Caprio) starts his career as a stockbroker on Wall Street. Having lost his job following Black Monday, he begins to work for a boiler-room brokerage firm on Long Island specialising in ‘penny stocks’. He is soon running his own, booming business, which makes him very rich; he has also become addicted to sex, prostitutes, and illegal drugs while indulging in non-stop partying.

Although a bit too long (over 2 hrs 45 mins), the film is very good and entertaining, with many hilariously funny scenes. It is a convincing depiction of the drug-fuelled world of stockbroking, at any rate at the time. L Di Caprio puts in a remarkably good performance as the sex-crazed spiv who is addicted to drugs, success and money.

The only thing that is missing from the movie is any sort of reflection as to the damage done to investors by such unscrupulous brokerage firms -- more particularly those dealing in so-called penny stocks, targeted at low-income investors. Then again, it is not that kind of film.

Gloriously offensive, drug-fuelled, depraved, fun-filled hilarious comedy! - The Wolf of Wall Street review by PV

This film is just brilliant. It should have won Oscars, for sure. It's probably one of my favourite Scorcese movies now too.

No doubt some 'politically correct' people will find it offensive, as I heard some po-faced humourless feminist whinge-Wendy describe it as on the radio last year.

But really, it's a great ride. Funny and well-written script; great memorable characters; packed with action, searing, sex, drugs and money.

My only criticisms: 1) it's too long, like most Hollywood movies these days; 2) The alcoholic druggies look far too healthy - in real life, it ain't like that!

But these are minor quibbles.

In general, this movie is a hoot - and with a serious message too. I was surprised it was this good - I watched it the same evening as American Hustle, which is yawn-inducing in comparison.

The Wolf of Wall Street should perhaps have won the Oscar for Best Movie, (instead of the tedious up-itself Gravity), and won Leonardo one too for this bravura performance.

Just great - 5 stars with chasers!

One of the best films I have seen in the last decade.

Men behaving badly - The Wolf of Wall Street review by CP Customer

Martin Scorsese is here in his familiar comfort zone, which he has revisited with varying success, ever since the coup de cinema that was the opening scene of Mean Streets.

This time it’s a group of upstart boiler room scammers, flogging pump and dump stock to the poor, a group which burgeons and swells to some hundred salespeople, red in tooth and phone manner, and awash with illegal substances.

They make shed loads of money of course, and it all goes into the toilet of course, their greed and excess ensuring that there could be no other outcome. There’s lots and lots and lots of hysterical sex, and slightly less drug use, and what little rock and roll appears is provided by Robbie Robertson doing the sound track. The Quaaludes overdose scene is the funniest in the film, with DiCaprio proving that he can do physical comedy, and indeed, all the playing is exemplary.

The film is way too long at three hours- what was Ms Schoonmaker thinking? The sex scenes become a ludicrous parody of mainstream porn with unlovely boiler room sex addicts conducting orgy after orgy, and there were several points at which I almost lost interest but I stuck with it to the finish, partly through horrified fascination.

The film is based on a true story, so it had all the themes of the little guy bucking the system that Scorsese has returned to so often. But the thing is, the real wolves of Wall Street, and Main Street, and the high streets and village streets across the world are not cocky little bastards like Jordan Belfort. They’re the big guys and corporations who still rule the universe, however many financial crashes there may be, and they've not been reduced to touring New Zealand with a tacky sales success course. Did Marty miss a trick in not including them?

A completely over the top film let down by unbelievable bloat & repulsive main character - The Wolf of Wall Street review by TB

Despite my dislike of much of this film, the one thing I have to give it credit for is it’s completely unchained & no holds barred approach. In this film, nothing is held back. It is a totally crazy, shocking & highly sexualised biopic of the life & crimes of Jordan Belfort, a Wall Street trader who started up his own company with the sole purpose of ripping off every single person who wanted to invest with him. As Belfort gets richer & richer, he gets more greedy & immoral. Even his own father at one stage says to him “You’ve already got all the money in the world, why do you want everyone else’s?”

There is an enjoyment to a certain extent to be had with just how crazy everything is shown, plus there are a lot of visual flourishes & good colour schemes, which of course you would expect for a Scorsese film. In terms of performances, there are also some great ones amongst the bloat. For me, as much as for many she may be seen as eye candy, Margot Robbie was actually really good & more than held her own opposite Di Caprio. Matthew McConaughey was also, for many people, the most memorable part of the film, doing more in 10 minutes than many of the other actors managed in 3 hours!

But for me, the two biggest issues with this film are the length of it and Belfort himself. On the runtime, this film is obscenely bloated & overlong, by at least 40 minutes. There are so many scenes of parties & drug-taking which don’t really contribute anything to the story. And once we get 90 minutes in, we don’t need to be repeatedly shown the various sleazy behaviour by the traders to understand & appreciate that they are reprehensible thieves.

And with regards to Belfort, he is just a revolting & horrible person. And when you have to spend 3 hours with him, watching his totally disgusting behaviour, you just hate him more & more. Yes, there were some funny moments, hence the 3 stars, but as a person Belfort really is the pits.

Still a good watch, although you will need to have some patience towards the end.

Top Dog - The Wolf of Wall Street review by PT

Brilliant film. Nearly 3 hours of Scorcese genius. Beautifully crafted shots, superb montages, voice over, and the odd freeze frame, all familiar to Scorcese aficionados.

The acting is top drawer by Dicaprio and Hill. The scene when they drop lemons was astounding. Also a superb cameo by mcconaughey.

Great story at neck break speed. I didn't want it to end, and know I will watch it all again several times. And guys, let's be honest here, there's so many beautiful women, can't be bad. Fantastic.

Definitely Worth 3 hours of your Life - The Wolf of Wall Street review by KM

Judging by the Title one might assume the movie will be a copy of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps or maybe Catch Me if you Can.

The movie is sufficiently different and will keep you entertained for the full Three hours. What can I say, Its madness which borders on Hilariousness. Great Movie.

Don't bother - The Wolf of Wall Street review by AW

Oh dear. Surely Leonardo, as a talented actor, is not finding his roles are drying up?

How on earth this was even nominated, let alone won, two oscars is a shock.

Complete waste of time.