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Martin Scorsese’s 2013 film, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” has sparked its fair share of controversy, yet its undeniable hilarity remains a cornerstone of its appeal. The movie chronicles the real-life exploits of Jordan Belfort (portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio), an unscrupulous stockbroker whose deceitful practices thrived in the 1980s and 1990s. Critics argue that the film glamorizes Belfort, transforming him into an unlikely role model for a specific segment of the audience. While Scorsese is not primarily associated with comedic works, elements of humor permeate many of his crime and gangster films, exemplified notably by the 1990 release “Goodfellas.”
Running for an immersive three hours, “The Wolf of Wall Street” unfolds as an extravagant, drug-fueled spectacle. Belfort, alongside his cohorts such as Donnie Azoff (played by Jonah Hill) and Brad Bodnick (portrayed by Jon Bernthal), revels in a hedonistic frenzy, all at the expense of those they exploit. Some of the most memorable and uproarious moments include Belfort’s comically impaired attempt to operate under the influence of quaaludes, rendering him temporarily unable to use his legs. Another iconic scene features Belfort delivering a farewell address, only to abruptly reverse course, opting to remain despite mounting legal pressure. Yet another standout moment is when Matthew McConaughey’s character delivers the memorable line: “you gotta pump those numbers up, those are rookie numbers.”
“The Wolf of Wall Street” also marked a pivotal point in Margot Robbie’s career, propelling her to stardom with her portrayal of Naomi, Belfort’s second wife. Robbie later made a cameo appearance in the thematically similar film, “The Big Short,” where she adeptly explains intricate financial concepts while luxuriating in a bubble bath with champagne in hand.
Presently, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are gearing up for the release of their latest collaboration, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” slated to hit theatres on October 20. This gripping drama delves into the true-life account of the Osage nation murders in Oklahoma during the 1920s, a dark chapter intertwined with the pursuit of oil wealth. The film boasts a stellar cast including Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, and Jesse Plemons.