Best Picture Nominees — The Wolf of Wall Street

Today I continue my look at the Best Picture nominees for the Academy Awards that will be held on Sunday, March 2.

Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street
Nominations: 5
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Best Director (Martin Scorsese), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Terence Winter)
About: This film had a lot of buzz, but has drawn mixed reviews. Some have loved it for what it is, a sort of dark comedy that doesn't pull any punches when it comes to show the life of excess lived by its subject. Others have complained that it glorifies this life of excess and crime, to the detriment of society. I fall somewhere in the middle. Having read parts of the memoir upon which the film is based, I would say the unflinching tone comes from Jordan Belfort himself. The film is probably too long, and relishes Belfort's exploits too much, but it's also funny and, at times, quite poignant. It's a well-made movie, despite its flaws. That being said, like so many Best Picture nominees in the field this year, it's hard to say if it will win any awards. DiCaprio and Hill were great, but they are far from the front-runners in their category. The same goes for Scorsese and the film itself, which isn't likely to be in the top three in the Best Picture race. The best chance is probably for Winter, competing in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. The front-runner has to be John Ridley for "12 Years A Slave," but that race feels more wide open if they want to honor another film, like "The Wolf of Wall Street." My best guess is that even that race is a long shot, and "The Wolf of Wall Street" likely comes away with no award wins. The film was enjoyable for what it was, but felt like it could have used a tighter edit. That comes back on both Winter for the screenplay and Scorsese for not reigning it in a little tighter. And all the negative feelings and reviews based on the approach to content won't do the film or the nominated actors any favors.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.
"The Wolf of Wall Street" is now playing in theaters nationwide.