Wolf of Wall Street

Wolf of Wall Street

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 12/25/13

Reviewed 12/27/13 at Star Theatre

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Gary and I knew going into this movie exactly what it was going to be like. We heard the real "Wolf" (Jordan Belfort)

speak in the Fall and read the book, so no surprises for us. The film does not dilute the story at all, so just know what you are getting into if you choose to see this. There were many "walker outers" in the theatre early on. Probably a smart move, because it's not like it toned down as it progressed. I can understand, because it was graphic. But with that being said, the story is as interesting as they come. It is riveting to hear about the excess and disgusting lifestyle these jokers lived.The waste...oh, the waste! Leonardo did fabulous as Belfort and Jonah Hill had his best performance as Jordan's second in command, Donnie Asoff. It was long by even epic standards at three hours, but honestly it didn't bother me as much as flicks that aren't near as long.

Belfort (DiCaprio) is the misguided, and very intelligent, perverse Wall Streeter back in the 80s. Hardworking all the way to the end, you wonder why he has to turn to ripping people off. He was going to make money anyway and a lot of it. He gets his start by working for another firm when he soon realizes he is good enough to be on his own. With lots of ideas, he launches with a small team mostly selling penny stocks and from there it just grows and grows. Donnie Asoff is one of his early hires and the craziness begins.

Belfort's first marriage crumbles as he is caught red-handed with one of his babes, dubbed "The Duchess" (Margot Robbie). He eventually marries the former beer model, but this does not slow down his cavorting. Hookers of all sorts are so common amongst him and his colleagues it's a wonder they all didn't die of diseases. If that wasn't bad enough, as Belfort recalls he does more drugs in one day than all of Manhattan. Cocaine, speed, uppers, downers...you name it. He survives and survives well. He is pulling in big money at the peak, some $40-50 million a year and most of it illegal. Everyone working for Belfort is also making serious dough. They all feel so grateful to Belfort for employing them, no one seems to care that he is by all accounts a lousy person. But as crummy as he is, he is extremely charismatic and flat out knows how to win people. Meanwhile, he is being scrutinized by not only the SEC but the FBI as well. Not good in the stock and trading world. Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) has been pursuing Belfort and his company for some time and he is finally breaking through in the case. Do you think that slows Belfort down? His father Max, smartly played by Rob Reiner, begs Belfort to reform when a deal to walk away is presented and he almost does. Greed and power overcome him and he is back in the office running the show status quo...for now. The ticked off FBI agent is closing in and it's just a matter of time. You almost root for Belfort's character, maybe because of the fantastic portrayal by DiCaprio, but whatever it is I can safely divulge "what comes around goes around" but unfortunately to an extent. Lots of mayhem is left in the wake of Belfort's loathsome antics and who really gets left to pick up after all of it? The Wolf of Wall Street ends and everything isn't revealed on what happens next. You can either read the second book, Catching the Wolf of Wall Street or Google it to find out. It's safe to say if this was anyone else they would surely be dead or in prison for life after all of this. But I assure you, neither of these is Jordan Belfort.

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  Jj