The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 12 - 'The Wolf of Wall Street’

Key Takeaways

Martin Scorsese's 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is ranked #11 in The Big Picture's '25 for 25' series.
The film's independent financing, without studio backing, enabled its boundary-pushing content and $400 million worldwide gross.
Debate continues on whether 'The Wolf of Wall Street' glorifies its subjects, despite its intentional critique of excess.
Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of Jordan Belfort is lauded as the greatest performance of his career.
The movie breaks cinematic conventions through direct address, unreliable narration, and a distinctive blues soundtrack.

Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins introduce 'The Wolf of Wall Street' as #11 on their '25 for 25' best films list.
Dobbins noted a recent five-hour Martin Scorsese documentary influenced her perspective on his filmography.
Other Scorsese films considered for the list included 'Gangs of New York,' 'The Departed,' 'Shutter Island,' 'Hugo,' and 'Silence.'

'The Wolf of Wall Street' was independently financed with Leonardo DiCaprio securing the $100 million budget.
A major studio would likely not have approved the film's boundary-pushing opening scene.
The film became Martin Scorsese's highest-grossing, earning $400 million worldwide.
Its financing methods ironically mirrored the questionable practices of the Stratton Oakmont story.

Margot Robbie's breakthrough performance as Naomi includes the fight scene and her decision to divorce Jordan Belfort.
The film features over 30 needle drops, utilizing a blues soundtrack that complements a 1950s and 60s aesthetic.
Visual references to Renaissance paintings and Francis Bacon depict the disgusting nature of the human soul.
The film's uncomfortable humor, drawing parallels to director P.T. Anderson's style, prompts laughter at difficult subjects.

The film depicts familiar Long Island and Queens settings and personalities, adding personal connection for one host.
A core theme highlights dealing with problems by becoming rich, connecting to unresolved pains in Scorsese's films.
The movie deliberately avoids humanizing characters or dwelling on their underlying pain or trauma.
Martin Scorsese's skill balances engaging characters with a clear critique of wealth and corruption.

Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as Jordan Belfort is declared the greatest of his career by one host.
The discussion spans DiCaprio's 21st-century filmography, including 'Gangs of New York,' 'The Departed,' and 'Shutter Island.'
DiCaprio's long-standing admiration for Martin Scorsese led to their extensive collaborations.

'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' is a strong contender for DiCaprio's best performance, praised for its looseness and vulnerability.
DiCaprio pivoted towards comic drama in his 40s and 50s, exemplified by 'Don't Look Up' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon'.
His 'Wolf of Wall Street' performance balances a conman persona with vulnerability, making audiences connect with a flawed character.
A scene with Kyle Chandler shows the audience rooting for DiCaprio's character by the end.

The Lemonheads' 'Mrs. Robinson' needle drop during the Stratton Oakmont raid creates a jarring, humorous effect.
The film breaks cinematic rules by using direct address, unreliable narration, and portraying one-dimensional characters like Donnie Azoff.
Jonah Hill's performance as Donnie Azoff and the overall casting are highlighted for their impact.
The film, despite its narrative choices, doesn't over-explain character motivations.

Hosts debate 'The Wolf of Wall Street' as the correct choice for their list versus other Scorsese films like 'Silence' or 'The Irishman.'
Its themes of finance bros are compared to films like Oliver Stone's 'Wall Street,' 'Boiler Room,' and 'The Big Short.'
The film's 2013 release is noted as a direct response to the 2008 financial crisis.
One host argues it accomplishes much of what 'The Big Short' conveys, despite having less financial specificity.