The Wolf of
Wall Street

Based on the biography of the same name, the film will capture the real life of events of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo Dicaprio). Belfort was a stock broker who’s experienced tremendous highs at the stock market as well as devastating lows, as documented in his two best-selling books. You might say this sounds relatively small beans for Scorsese. But in actuality, Jordan’s life is full of sensational events and hyperbole. From incredibly bad luck to freak tidal storms, sunken yachts and crashed helicopters, Jordan is a poster-boy for stock market success and determination. But also the pit-falls of success and money, openly admitting to being addicted to drugs on a mass scale during his career. He now conducts seminars and lessons on how to be an efficient business man, but on a larger scale how to forge your ambition usefully.

This is where Scorsese shines. The influence of the mob, an international crime scandal and a story that ultimately revolves around the influence of money and corruption.

While Jordan Belfort is certainly the title character and the primary protagonist in Wolf of Wall Street, there is also a much bigger picture. The narrative is rumored to be based on a large case of fraud and how Jordan refused to partake. With involvement by the whole corporate banking world and alleged mob activity. This is where Scorsese shines. The influence of the mob, an international crime scandal and a story that ultimately revolves around the influence of money and corruption, which is Scorsese’s forte in so many ways. The screenplay is written by Terence Winter, acclaimed writer and executive of such shows as The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire. Which means both the film’s direction and writing will be the subject of years of experience in the crime genre.

As for the cast, incredibly talented Hollywood A-lister Leonardo Dicaprio is at the helm as Jordan Belfort. After the mixed reviews of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (2013) many speculate The Wolf of Wall Street will be the film to finally harbor Dicaprio a well deserved Oscar. Supporting cast include the recently revitalized Matthew McConaughey playing Mark Hanna, Iron Man 1 and 2 director Jon Favreau as Manny Riskin and Jonah Hill as Donny Azoff. Little is known about their overall part in the narrative. The Wolf of Wall Street is slated for a November release in the US and certainly seems strong in aspects of direction, script and performance. With the riveting life of Jordan Belfort as inspiration it’s hard to believe it’ll disappoint.