The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street

Plot

In the sprawling metropolis of New York City, a tale of unbridled excess and corruption unfolds with the 2013 biographical comedy-drama, The Wolf of Wall Street. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter, the film is based on the autobiography of the same name by Jordan Belfort, a former stockbroker who rose to fame and subsequently fell from grace in the 1990s. The film introduces us to Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young and ambitious stockbroker from Long Island, New York. Following the 1987 stock market crash, Belfort finds himself struggling to make ends meet. However, his fortunes change when he lands a job at a small brokerage firm, where he quickly excels in the high-stakes world of Wall Street. Belfort's determination, charisma, and sheer force of personality help him land a gig at L.F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin, a top-tier investment bank. As Belfort navigates the cutthroat world of finance, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the sterile, socially stunted corporate culture he encounters. His cynicism and disillusionment ultimately lead to his departure from L.F. Rothschild, where he embarks on a new venture - Stratton Oakmont, a Long Island-based brokerage firm. With the help of his business partner Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill), Belfort hatches a plan to grow the firm through questionable means, such as high-pressure sales tactics, lies, and other manipulative strategies. Under Belfort's guidance, Stratton Oakmont experiences explosive growth, attracting investors and generating massive profits. However, Belfort's antics, both in and out of the office, increasingly attract unwanted attention from the FBI, particularly agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler). The authorities soon launch a probe into the activities of Stratton Oakmont, and news reaches the press, shedding light on the firm's dubious practices. Meanwhile, personal relationships in Belfort's life are also put to the test. His marriage to Naomi (Margot Robbie) is a tempestuous, tumultuous cycle of passion and heartbreak, marked by instances of jealousy and chaos. The influence of his second wife, Natalie (Christine Ebersole), also weighs heavily on his ego and priorities. Belfort's all-consuming love affair with Naomi further clouds his judgment, ultimately redoubling his energies to build Stratton Oakmont. As this period of spectacular excess reaches its climax, Denham steps in, determined to bring down Belfort's operation through a show of force. A grudge is born from Belfort's scorn for the authorities, as the 37-year-old stockbroker rejects the chance to cooperate in the ongoing investigation, incensing the FBI. Denham makes no effort to disguise his disgust with Belfort's unwillingness to work towards the solution of his impending trial, and Belfort’s contempt for the law goes from bad to worse. Throughout the chaotic, protracted process, we watch as Stratton Oakmont accelerates a downward spiral due to these mounting pressures. Corrupt business practices spiral out of control, spreading further corruption and the greed they perpetuate. So much so, Stratton Oakmont eventually collapses like a badly failed pyramid scheme, sending shrapnel to investors and their families. Eventually Belfort goes into hiding to make a daring run for Mexico. Belfort finds his life after Stratton Oakmont to be marked by both the despair that accompanies loss of fortune and, at the same time, exuberance and vitality. After a stint in a Florida jail, he embarks on a U-Turn in his life by being awarded a 4-year prison term for the crime of creating and overseeing these crimes. Having finally come to terms with his former world, Belfort reflects on his moral failings in a final speech to his new, post-corporate associates, pointing out the mistakes in his personal as well as professional undertakings. While The Wolf of Wall Street has been criticized for its graphic depiction of Belfort's misconduct and scandal-ridden behavior, Scorsese carefully navigates the line between authentic, immersive storytelling and editorial distance, the performances from DiCaprio, Hill and others leave all to walk away from this high-energy, reckless ride with a far deeper appreciation of why we continue to visit, pay homage to and cling to a self-professed image of all that it is to be a man.

Reviews

B

Blake

A bleak and terrifying black comedy that roars to life with an exclamation point-laden ode to aspirational wealth, only to conclude with a chorus of questioning self-reflection. In between lies the manic, destructive force of greed and materialism, dragging every viewer down into the darkest depths of desire alongside the protagonist, even as they laugh. I've finally rediscovered my love for Scorsese's films. DiCaprio is undoubtedly brilliant, but the constant snarling and roaring is becoming a bit of a one-note performance.

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6/18/2025, 1:10:48 AM
K

Kayden

1. With the same lead actor, Scorsese showed how a master handles extravagance, something *The Great Gatsby* only hinted at. 2. Only under independent production can Scorsese and DiCaprio unleash their full potential. 3. If he doesn't win an Oscar for a performance like this, I don't know what to say on DiCaprio's behalf.

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6/17/2025, 1:17:14 PM
M

Miriam

This biographical film is surprisingly a manic comedy, not of the toilet humor variety, but a high-class, almost noble, form of decadence – and directed by Scorsese, no less! The majority of the film is dedicated to showcasing the depraved lives of these characters, from their initial foray into Wall Street to their eventual incarceration. It explores how desires progressively inflate and how humanity slowly degrades in the face of immense wealth, women, and power. You should never expect this group of people to actually learn a lesson from anything. ★★★★

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6/16/2025, 10:09:49 AM
L

Layla

From the director to the cast, everyone went all out! This might be the Martin Scorsese film with the most "fucks" ever; the dialogue and content push the boundaries to the extreme – the original cut must've been NC-17. The overall tone of the film aligns with the trailer; it's actually a comedy! Don't take it so seriously. 'The Hangover' looks like child's play compared to this, but it's not just a hangover, it's a "highover." What an incredible life and group of people! Giving five stars just for the performances!

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6/11/2025, 2:04:32 PM
E

Everett

Life is rather dull, isn't it? When you're broke, you rack your brains trying to get rich. But once you're rolling in dough, it's nothing more than fancy cars, luxury homes, beautiful women, and a drug habit. Not a shred of novelty to be found. Hedonism is just another form of suffering. Behind the frenzy, a wasteland of nothingness.

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6/9/2025, 10:08:05 AM

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