While this film was overly long, it was also three hours of looking at Leonardo DiCaprio and that is always worthwhile. He's far too good looking and talented to be real.
This film traces Jordan Belfort's (DiCaprio's) journey from naive and sober young stockbroker to one of the richest men in the country who gained everything he owned through illegal methods and money-laundering. He divorces his first wife, Teresa (Cristin Milloti) and marries that also way too attractive and talented Margot Robbie, the lovely Naomi who gives him two children despite knowing that he's a drug addict and womanizer.
Certainly, the film is a bit bizarre, almost like The Big Short, with narration and the occasional breaking of the third wall. And that scene where Jordan and his vice president minion, Donnie (Jonah Hill, with bleached teeth) are super high is just bizarre but also shows how great those two actors are. And it is a miracle that Jordan was able to drive home and didn't kill anyone, sure he banged into a bunch of cars and fixed objects (which is also unacceptable), but at least no one got hurt.
Sure, none of these characters are good role models or even good humans, but the acting is great and the film has a real feel to it. It is also ridiculous how Scorsese can go from the family-friendly (and brilliant) Hugo to this film where drugs, sex and cursing are in absolutely every scene. Nevertheless, it is great. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Despite fourth billing, Matthew McConaghey's role is nothing more than a cameo, with roughly five minutes of screen time. He's still great.
-I'm surprised that Naomi didn't divorce him earlier.
-Jordan receives only three years in prison, that's light for everything he did.
-Kyle Chandler is brilliant as the investigating FBI agent. He's also great. I love when he plays the good guy.
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