The Wolf of Wall Street

Money, drugs and hookers are a dangerous combination for anyone. When put in the hands of a hotshot young stockbroker without a conscience, they can be deadly. In the case of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) in The Wolf of Wall Street, he has a mansion, yacht, private jet, six cars, a steady supply of cocaine and everything else money can buy. Debauchery isn’t a habit for him, it’s a way of life.

Jordan is not an easy person to like, but he is fun to watch. He doesn’t believe in excess, there’s no such thing as “taking it too far,” and his hedonism results in antics we enjoy watching. It’s the late ’80s, so anything goes. He’s a terrible role model in many ways, but man does the guy know how to have a good time.

Right-hand man Donnie (Jonah Hill), who’s socially awkward yet just as big a party animal as Jordan, masturbates in public the first time he sees Jordan’s future wife Naomi (Margot Robbie), who in all fairness is stunningly gorgeous. Yes men, well-wishers, enablers and moochers surround Jordan and Donnie, but they’re making millions pushing bad stock so they don’t care. A few people are brutally honest with them: Jordan’s father Max (Rob Reiner) is a temperamental voice of reason, attorney Manny Riskin (Jon Favreau) gives a few reality checks, and most importantly FBI agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) makes it clear he’s got an eye on Jordan.

How did Jordan get this way? His first day on the job he meets Mark (Matthew McConaughey), whom Jordan is impressed to hear earned $1 million last year. Mark takes him to lunch, tells him how the business really works and how to succeed in it. McConaughey is an absolute treat in these scenes, oozing sleaze and style with puffy hair and a perpetual grin of self-satisfaction. The only shame is that he doesn’t return after teaching these important lessons.

Director Martin Scorsese’s (The Departed) film is based on a true story, with the screenplay written by Terence Winter from a book of the same name by the real Jordan Belfort. One imagines, given the source, that there’s some embellishment in the craziness of the parties and stories depicted here, but so be it – truth is not imperative for our enjoyment. What is important, and at least feels authentic, is the rollercoaster life Belfort led and how well his story is told.

Thankfully Scorsese is on top of his game, seemingly every few minutes finding something new for Jordan to take to an extreme. In some ways the film takes a similar structure toGoodfellas in that it chronicles a lavish life of grandeur that anyone would want followed by a precipitous fall. The regret in the end is not for sins committed, but rather for not covering tracks better so they can continue to be committed.

Watching Jordan, it’s as if he saw Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko in Wall Street (1987) and said, “that’s what I want to be!” Greed is indeed good for a while, but in the end, as it often does, avarice becomes his undoing. Scorsese doesn’t lay it on too thick in condemning Jordan for his misdeeds – he and longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker do maintain the proper energy and tempo throughout.

Belfort started writing the book on which the movie is based while in prison. Also, Belfort has only paid off $11.6 million of his $110 million government fine, according to investorplace.com. The Wolf of Wall Street is full of shocking moments you will not soon forget and a morality that’s nowhere to be found. It’s an absolute trip.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (4½) • Directed by Martin Scorsese • Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, P.J. Byrne, Jon Favreau, Jon Bernthal, Matthew McConaughey • Rated R • 180 min. • At Maya Cinemas, Century Cinemas Del Monte, Northridge Cinemas, Lighthouse Cinemas.