And that’s not a bad thing at all. There are worse things a film can do is pick a strong theme and stick to it. Director Martin Scorsese is no fool so as long as you can strap yourself in for the ride you’re in for a treat.

Long time Scorsese muse Leonardo DiCaprio plays stockbroker Jordan Belfort, who basically through sheer force of will (and several dodgy dealings) becomes a millionaire in 1990s Wall Street. He has a beautiful trophy wife (Margot Robbie who gives a performance worthy of a Hollywood veteran) and trustworthy workers (including a delightfully crass Jonah Hill) but money isn’t everything and before long the FBI is involved and Belfort’s life begins to unravel.

The Wolf of Wall Street reminds me of one of the major themes of Breaking Bad (RIP) in relation to wealth and power. How much money is ever enough? After you’re secure for life, what becomes important? He’s not a likeable guy but there are times where, despite my better judgement, I desperately wanted Belfort to just relax and realise he’s luck and try to get out himself unscathed. But that’s not what the movie is about. Excess can become an addiction, and after you’ve reached monetary goals, there isn’t much else. I took from DiCaprio’s performance a sense that maybe Belfort thought he was owed something from life, and that’s why he kept going. He’s a crook but a nice one, and loyal to his friends (although not his wife). It’s something more than glorification and probably worth a second or third viewing.

Overall, the film is destined for some sort of Oscar success. Although three hours long the film is rarely sluggish, and Scorsese never lets an actor give a bad performance. Interestingly the film is his second in digital, and the first ever to be distributed entirely digitally. Isn’t that a bit excessive? Come for the naughty bits, stay for some thoughtful character development. And maybe Leo’s first Oscar. 4/5