The Wolf of Wall Street

Martin Scorsese has a long and highly decorated career as a director focusing on stories in the crime genre; many of which are dark and violent depictions of those who seek success through shady operations But in 2013, ten years ago, a life of crime had never seemed so colourful and exciting onscreen than with Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street which explored the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort. The film is almost best described as a party film that straddles the dangerous line of even glamorising the excessive lifestyle of the former stockbroker and is quite possibly the director's most exciting work to date. 

Set in the late 1980s and into the mid-1990s, TWOWS sees Belfort narrate the early days of his career as a stockbroker on Wall Street before the crash and how this led to him experimenting in some illegal practices that would make him very wealthy but would soon paint a target on his back for the FBI. 

Last year I read the book this was adapted from and much of this plays out very closely with the film all be it with a few omissions here and there. It was an interesting read but coming from the man who committed numerous financial crimes, it felt too smug at times making the film feel all the more engaging for having someone else adapt this wildly entertaining story with some distance from the source. It's a difficult line to put you in the character's crazy lifestyle without losing sight of the real victims and I think Scorsese balances this well. Is it fun to watch? Oh yes! And in a lesser director's hands this would not work but with a master at the helm, it's a thrilling 180 minute ride.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Belfort and goes in guns-blazing as the drug-fuelled mad man running his empire without any remorse, and it's a captivating performance which easily eclipses his strong turn as Jay Gatsby that same year. Alongside there are many other great stars including Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, Jon Bernthal, Kyle Chandler and a great if brief showing from Matthew McConaughey.

Coupled with Scorsese's directing and Thelma Schoonmaker's brilliant editing, it's a highly engaging and worryingly entertaining experience which proves that not all crime fills need guns and murder. My one grip though would come from maybe a slight overuse in improvised dialogue in the first half of the story as some scenes feel as though they stretch beyond their purpose, and stick out amongst the more scripted parts. 

The Wolf of Wall Street has lost none of its energy in the ten years since its release and is an easy film to recommend if nothing else than for the morally questionable thrill ride Scorsese takes us along. The book ended on a dud setting up another chapter in Belfort's story but the film offers a complete experience that is dramatic, funny and shocking in equal measure with one of DiCaprio's best performances.