The Wolf of Wall Street

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.