The Wolf of Wall Street

This film has a lot going for it—a lot to like, and a lot to see. But most of its lively virtues and strengths are in the details and on the margins. At its heart, this three-hour extravaganza rings rather hollow. The sources of its greatest appeal include a supercharged lead performance from Leonardo DiCaprio; stylishly frenzied direction by Martin Scorsese; a penchant for bravura scenes and eccentric set pieces; a distinctly contemporary topicality (Wall Street scammers); and a large and quirky supporting cast, with particularly pungent contributions from Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill and Joanna Lumley. McConaughey’s early “tutorial” scene with DiCaprio is a darkly comical tour de force that just might be the single best moment in the entire film, but the intense articulation of character and theme of this scene goes unmatched through the film’s final two-thirds. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R