Martin Scorsese is 74 years old. How does he keep making excellent films? An excellent director with an excellent crew. The Wolf of Wall Street is his latest offering.

It is nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, as is Scorsese for directing. Most notably this year is the nomination of his leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio, Who is still struggling to gain an Oscar for himself. 2014 just might be his year.

Di Caprio plays the sex addicted, drug addicted and money addicted millionaire stockbroker Jordan Belfort. The only thing bankrupt in this film is Belfort’s morality; as he narrates his way through the story of his rise and spectacular fall as the ‘Wolf’ of Wall Street with a brilliantly over the top and intense performance that captivates you for the almost 3 hours running time of the film.

The story intertwines genre, it feels like a rollercoaster that occasionally stops at the top of the ride to let you absorb the view, before plunging back into the intensity of it all. You are so ‘in’ the story it’s easy to forget that – at the end of the day – Belfont is a degenerate junkie who swindles companies out of millions of dollars. Such is the ‘dog eat dog’ nature of Wall Street you find yourself on Belfont’s side for the story, hoping he will dodge the FBI and come out clean in the end (and the term ‘clean’ is meant loosely). The majority of the movie is an orgy of parties, drug abuse and sex scenes, it has broken the record for most use of the F-Bomb in a fiction film, with a total of 506. Don’t know who counted that, but it is a lot. This is not a film to take Grandma along to see.

Every cast member is fighting to be the scene stealer. Props to Jonah Hill, who proves he can hold his own alongside DiCaprio. Fresh off being Brad Pitt’s sidekick in ‘Moneyball’ and to Matthew McConaughey, still reeling from the physical affects from ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ his role is short, but sweet – in a tutelage role for Belfort that sets up the man he becomes. Honourable mention to Australian and former Neighbours star Margot Robbie, who gives a memorable performance, and holds her own with the A-listers. Her character is the reminder to the audience that Belfort is really an anti-hero.

The movie at times is funnier and wittier than any comedies that have been released in recent years, with more than a handful of laugh-out-loud moments. However, the rollercoaster is always ready to drop us right back into the action or drama of the moment. The editing is precise and feels effortless, seamlessly complimenting the performances of each scene. Extra points go to the art direction of the 1980’s style – particularly in selection of cars.

The film definitely sensationalises (and even celebrates) the party lifestyle that Belfont enjoys. The scenarios he is placed into are comical to the point of ludicrous. Special mention to the ‘Quaalude’ sequence which, in such a crucial turning point of the film, encapsulates comedy and action into a painfully long, suspenseful scene. The whole film itself feels very larger than life and exaggerated; but then you remember – it is all based on a true story.

The Wolf of Wall Street is on now at Palace Electric cinemas. Click here for further details.

Sam says: 4/5 stars. It’s better than Shutter Island but not The Departed.