The Wolf of Wall Street is getting a lot of shit lately for being pretty awful. Martin Scorsese has been getting harassed at screenings, critics have been writing some pretty scathing things… it’s not a good deal. I can’t speak too much on the movie either way because I haven’t seen it and have no interest in it, but word on the street is that it’s a really unrepentant glorification of Wall Street greed with zero consequences for the pigs who benefit by fucking other people over. Whether or not that holds any truth is neither here nor there, because Leonardo DiCaprio thinks you’re all missing the point.
From Variety:
“This film may be misunderstood by some; I hope people understand we’re not condoning this behavior, that we’re indicting it. The book was a cautionary tale and if you sit through the end of the film, you’ll realize what we’re saying about these people and this world, because it’s an intoxicating one. I think it’s amazing somebody like Martin Scorsese is still making films that are vital and talked about, and have an element of controversy about them and are appealing to people of my generation. We grew up watching his films and he’s still making stuff that’s punk rock. It’s an amazing achievement.”
Well… fair enough. However, I think it’s a shitty justification to say that because Martin Scorsese is a legend that he couldn’t possibly do any wrong. That’s great that you grew up watching his films, but that doesn’t preclude him from including problematic elements in his projects. That’s not really how things work.
As for the “cautionary tale” bit, eh, maybe so. I’m torn on the reaction, though – even if it doesn’t have a great message and punish the bad guys, or whatever, is it really worth getting that up in arms about a MOVIE when shit like that is happening in real life EVERY DAY? On the other hand, art is wonderful and it’s great people are so passionate about it, yada yada. Deep thoughts for New Year’s Day.
I thought the movie was great! He chose to make a movie about a fascinating subject was he supposed to not make it entertaining for morality’s sake? People like to see excess and people like to be offended by it. I mean, i get it, it’s a little rough for the older crowd. However, Leo is right, he does get his comeuppance in the end. So there’s that.
I haven’t seen it yet either, but I plan to. MS is a genius film maker. Sure, everybody has an “off” day, but I’ll bet this film isn’t one of them. And as far as controversy goes, does anyone remember how people lost their f*cking tiny minds over The Last Temptation of Christ? I imagine it is an age bias thing. Maybe Marty is trying to tell us to step up and demand laws of accountability for our financial institution instead of sitting around like a bunch ol lazy ipod zombies and expecting everything to work out on its own?