Sex, drugs, and wolves

Leo finally won an award with this movie. Is the world ending?

The Wolf of Wall Street is full of sins

Article: Michael Carlisle – Contributor

[dropcaps round=”no”]M[/dropcaps]artin Scorsese, born Nov. 17, 1942 in New York, is a legendary American filmmaker who has directed over 40 feature-length films including Gangs of New York, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. He has won countless awards, including an Oscar for The Departed, and is best known for his gritty gangster flicks that are reminiscent of the gangster pictures of the 70s. Recently, he made The Wolf of Wall Street, and it is shrouded in controversy. A former American stockbroker is currently suing the film.

Scorsese’s raunchy film is based on the true story of stockbroker/criminal Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DeCaprio), from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

The opening shot of Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street involves Jordan Belfort snorting cocaine out of a prostitute’s ass. If you are shocked by this then you probably shouldn’t see the film, because the characters and situations get more sleazy and slimy as time goes on. The “F” word is used a record breaking 506 times, or three times per minute, and there is sex galore, including a brief 10+ person orgy. Wolf of Wall Street is a great departure from his last flick Hugo, a child-like tale about a boy living in the clock of a train station.

According to DeCaprio, the cast and crew were able to “push the envelope” with their depiction of over-the-top sexual acts and scenes in Wolf and “make the movie they wanted to” because they were financed independent and not limited by studio censorship.

Ever since Gangs of New York (2002), Scorsese displayed regrets of being involved with the studio system, so it’s great to see him finally be himself. Wolf will make you laugh, cringe and cry all without having to suspend your belief.

The main characters are truly gangster; unlike the mobsters in Goodfellas they are less violent, however they are also less pre-occupied with rules and traditions. Anything goes in Wolf because Scorsese injects it with a vital dose of id (Freudian term which describes the part of the psyche that is purely desire and instinct).

Part of why this film is appealing is because the main character does things we could only fantasize about. We live vicariously through him throughout most of the running time.

Scorsese’s film is full of every cardinal sin short of murder, yet his camera is reluctant to step back and be an observer rather than a participant in Belfort’s gripping adventures. The Director does not make a defining judgement about the morality of the tale; if he were to do so then it would only dumb down his picture. He relies on the intelligence of his audience to get his message, because it’s not out in plain view. Some will condemn Wolf for celebrating debauchery; others will celebrate Wolf for its satire of the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle. Scorsese has made a polarizing picture and will definitely incite conversation. 5/5

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