The Wolf of Wall Street

 

 

Was this the Best Picture of 2013? Probably not.

That being said, nobody, and I mean NO.BO.DY. does greed and its inescapable consequences like Scorsese. It was fast and it was over the top in a good way.  It feels ‘believable’ not becuase it’s based on a true story but rather because it seems to capture the frenzy of the era and that industry without putting a Gordon Gekko-like suave top-coat on it. How Marty can consistently take these ham-fisted, colossal pricks and make them sickly endearing is beyond me but he does. It was the classic cautionary tale…without the caution.

It also provided some unexpected laughs and some good performances from people I didn’t even know were in the film like Jon Favreau and Matthew McConaughey (that’s right, it’s not just Benedict Cumberbatch who’s showing up in everything this year).

Leo, oh Leo. I’ll never let go. Your rage and lust and general disgusting view of reality were a delight.

I love me some Jonah Hill. I never in a million years thought Superbad would be looking at his second Oscar nod but I’m so happy for him. At first, you are sitting there thinking, ‘ok here’s Jonah Hill now’, but almost immediately you forget that it’s him and just see a sick little side-kick.

The misfit band of disgusting sycophants was also a delight. For you fans of Horrible Bosses, P.J. Byrne does not disappoint.

And ladies, let’s have a nice big FNL sigh for Mr. Kyle Chandler.

 

Overall I found this a fun ride with one major problem. Marty needs to edit. Three hours is too much unless you’re at home on the couch.

 

N.B. This movie helps you understand how Sal Governale could have EVER done this job.