The Wolf of Wall Street

Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated hedonistic Wall Street saga is peppered with wild orgies, as crude, money-hungry, drug-fueled swindlers celebrate how they've deluded and cheated naïve investors, happily spending other people's money on hookers, liquor, cocaine, heroin, and Quaaludes. Making a killing with penny stocks is only the beginning for smooth-talking stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his sidekick Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill). Soon their Stratton Oakmont brokerage house is raking in millions, serving as an epitome of America's amoral addiction to the acquisition of wealth. Based on Belfort's memoir, and presented as an episodic black comedy about moral corruption, The Wolf of Wall Street is a gleefully vulgar glorification of the Seven Deadly Sins. Some viewers will certainly balk at the despicable excess (Scorsese clearly pushes the envelope of the “R” rating during the numerous sex scenes), not to mention the fact that there are no sympathetic characters, no contrition, and no redemption. Indeed, after arrogant Belfort spends 22 months in a country-club prison for securities fraud and money laundering, he is eager to carve out a new career: motivating future salesmen to fleece the flock. Look for an early scene-stealing performance by Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey. Cynical, unconventional, and edgy, this is an incredibly polarizing film: some may find the exuberant alpha-male energy hilarious, but others will be repulsed by the misogynist depravity on display here. Recommended. [Note: Blu-ray extras include “The Wolf Pack” behind-the-scenes featurette (17 min.), and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a small extras package for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)