Scorsese's Fiery Retort to Criticism: Why 'Wolf of Wall Street' Defies Conventional Morality

Summary

The Wolf of Wall Street received both acclaim and criticism upon its release for not taking a moral stand on Jordan Belfort's behavior.

Critics had differing opinions on the film, with some claiming it glorified Belfort's actions and lacked empathy for the victims, while others viewed it as a satirical critique. Martin Scorsese, the director renowned for his commitment to portraying stories truthfully, dismissed the criticism of the film's moral stance as "extremely uninteresting."

The Wolf of Wall Street director Martin Scorsese has finally addressed the long-standing criticism that his film fails to adopt a clear moral standpoint on its protagonist. Based on Jordan Belfort's memoir, the 2013 movie depicts Leonardo DiCaprio as the stockbroker who orchestrates extensive corruption and fraud at Stratton Oakmont on Wall Street. Despite garnering mostly favorable reviews, The Wolf of Wall Street ignited controversy among critics due to its perceived neglect in condemning Belfort's actions. In an overdue response, Scorsese has now come forward to address this criticism, a decade after the film's initial release.

In a recent interview with GQ, the director had a conversation with Timothée Chalamet where he revealed his recent discovery of the controversy. He also shared a critic's response to the specific criticism. When Chalamet asked if the "moralistic attitude bores" him, Scorsese bluntly replied, "It's beyond boring." Check out his complete comments below:

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The Wolf of Wall Street Controversy Explained

I recently discovered from an interviewer who asked, "Are you unaware of the controversy surrounding The Wolf of Wall Street?" Perplexed, I replied, "What do you mean?" The interviewer explained, "There was a significant screening of the film at Paramount for New York critics. It seems there was a divide among them – some admired the movie, while others were furious claiming it lacked a moral stance on Jordan Belfort." One critic from the latter group who enjoyed the film asked, "Do you truly need Martin Scorsese to inform you that it is morally wrong?" "Do you really need him to tell you that? He clearly knows it's wrong... and quite frankly, it's exceptionally tedious."

Upon its release in 2013, The Wolf of Wall Street received both widespread acclaim and moral censure from critics. According to Scorsese, critics were divided into two camps: those who praised the film and those who believed it failed to take a moral stance on its subject. Detractors argued that the film glorified Belfort's behavior. However, DiCaprio defended The Wolf of Wall Street, stating that it was not intended to glorify the excessive lifestyle it portrayed. Some have also defended the film as a satirical critique of its subject.

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Known for his distinct style, Martin Scorsese's response to the controversy surrounding The Wolf of Wall Street comes as no surprise. Just like his previous works, such as Goodfellas and his upcoming film Killers of the Flowers Moon, Scorsese aims to present the story in an unapologetically honest manner, leaving it up to the audience to make their own judgments. Even though it came a decade later, Scorsese's reaction to The Wolf of Wall Street controversy highlights his commitment to portraying narratives as truthfully as possible, despite occasional misunderstandings.

Source: GQ