Wolf of Wall street scene analysis and Social issue in film

Personal response to Wolf of Wall street

1^st sequence/scene analysis

The first scene I shall analyse is the scene where Jordan Belfort (Leonardo Dicaprio) is invited to a meal with his boss (Matthew Mcconaughey). The scene takes place in a fancy New York penthouse-like restaurant. It is an interesting scene, as it shows the contrast in characters. Belfort, new to the stock market career, is very hesitant and replies with short answers, and asks direct questions. His sentences don’t flow confidently and he also smiles awkwardly. His slouched rigid posture connotes feelings of uncertainty and a lack of confidence. However, his boss, is loose and free flowing and is not afraid of asking sensitive questions and replying with somewhat shocking answers. When Belfort asks how his boss handles the strains of Wall street, his boss casually responds with “How the hell else would you do this job, Cocaine and hookers my friend.” This laidback persona of the boss makes the viewer feel like in the Wall street stock market, anything goes.

Furthermore, the boss continues to be portrayed as a more laidback character as he seems to do what he wants. He’s shown that he doesn’t care what people around him think by snorting cocaine in front of a colleague. He also displays a lack of bother for what other people think of him by beating his chest and humming a tune in the restaurant. At first, Belfort is hesitant to join in and looks around in embarrassment, but after time and encouragement, joins in. This action makes the boss seem kind of primitive and caveman like. He’s beating his chest to hype up and encourage those around him, in this case Jordan Belfort.

In addition, the boss demonstrates that he is in charge and in control. This is seen when he gives the waiter very specific instructions in a forceful tone. These actions show that the boss knows exactly what he wants and is very good at getting it, considering the waiter does exactly what he’s told.

The boss is also seen as a wise character, as he is constantly giving tips to Jordan to help him excel in the stock market world.

The scene itself has three main shots: one of Jordan, one of his boss and anytime the boss snorts cocaine (which is a close up shot). These shots allow the viewer to only focus on what is happening in this exchange of words. The close up shots are of Mathew McConoughey snorting cocaine. They are simple shots, that are solely to show you what he’s doing and his lack of respect for the law, and the norms around him.

2^nd sequence/scene analysis

The second scene I shall analyse is the one where Jordan Belfort throws his first major office party. This is the scene where his company are celebrating a sales goal, and he gives an inspirational speech, he then offers a colleague 10,000 dollars in exchange for her shaving her head. She actually does this, causing her to get the money in physical cash. He then signals to Donnie (Jonah Hill), who then releases a marching band, complete with waiters giving out champagne to employees. Moments later Jordan summons two groups of strippers, who both collide. This sudden increase of noise and light makes the viewer become overwhelmed with chaotic scenes. The employees become more ravenous, and instantly start fighting over strippers. I think that this scene is meant to portray the stock workers as primitive people, who are constantly driven by materialistic things and greed.

The lighting in this scene is very interesting, as it is a strobe. This vigorous change in lighting further enhances that messy feeling of sheer chaos and a lack of self control by the employees of the company. A feeling of celebration is still maintained due to the subtle display of confetti amidst all of the occurring chaos.

Furthermore, the music generates a sense of almost fear and a somewhat sinister tone. Its slowed down and distorted, maybe suggesting that this is going to ultimately be a bad way of living, and foreshadows an over glamorised future with serious hidden consequences.

When the celebrations are well underway, Belfort smugly looks around and smirks to himself, he walks down from the stage. This somewhat reserved reaction to the chaos around him may infer that he has realised that this is only the beginning and the wealth will only increase.

However, this quieter reaction may connote that Jordan isn’t content with his results. This opposing interpretation of the scene makes Jordan feel like he shouldn’t be celebrating as his hunger and want for more is telling him not to be satisfied with what he’s got.

Film genre, and personal response.

The genre I’m choosing is crime, more specifically mob films. Many mob films show how the lives of gang related criminals rise through the social ladder. Examples of this are The Godfather trilogy, Goodfellas, Scarface.

Mob films usually are based upon American (usually of Sicilian/Italian decent) gangsters who operate in organised crime. The main character usually starts at the bottom of the social ladder, and rapidly rise in the ranks.

A perfect example of this would be Scarface. Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is a Cuban immigrant that has just arrived in Florida in the 1980s. He slowly but surely manages to gain respect and wealth by carrying out deeds for other Cubans in the Miami area. Eventually, he reaches the top of the social ladder, being the most feared and respected boss in the city. Of course, he earns the reputation through illegal acts and slowly becomes addicted to cocaine. By the end of the film, Montana has become spoiled by wealth and greed, killing or harming those closest to him. He must defend his home from ambushes and is killed alone by a group of mercenaries. This story of Tony Montana, portrays power to be a dangerous thing if it is acquired through unorthodox methods. The film is a good example of an underdog, who is hungry for success, and is sick of deprivation. Scarface shows us that success is great, but the method of reaching it can be dangerous and risky.

Another great example of a mob film with an underdog main character is The Godfather part II. The film follows the origin story of Don Vito Corleone, and how he acquired such status. He starts off as the last surviving son of his Sicilian family as an immigrant going to Ellis Island. The combination of shots and lack of dialogue from Vito create a sense of loneliness and an eerie song from him makes the viewer feel like the boy is missing his home and longs for his family. Of course, he claws his way to the very top of the Corleone family, becoming the most feared and respected Don on the East coast. His way of acquiring the power isn’t morally right, as he must kill and steal, however, he is a family man, as to Vito, family always comes first.

Most mobster films highlight ill-gotten gains, and present success as something that can be reached through making immoral decisions. They always make the main character start off in a weak social and economic position, and chronologically follow them, as they try to survive and thrive in a tough world full of vicious rival families and gangs. They always seem to show loyalty and family as two serious topics, that are key to stay alive in such an intense way of living. Some mob films even touch on what happens if power gets to someone’s head. A perfect example of this is Scarface and the death of Tony Montana, which resulted in him dying in a Cocaine induced gunfight.