The Wolf of Wall Street Reviews Roundup: Leonardo DiCpario Excels in Comic Act

Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese's fifth collaboration, The Wolf of Wall Street, is a biographically satirical black comedy, based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name. The film was earlier slated for a 2014 release but eventually got the Christmas day slot.

The film generated tremendous Oscar buzz and post its release is one of the favourites for a Best Picture nomination, among others. Here is what critics have to say about the film:

Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a New York stock broker who refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case that includes mob infiltration into Wall Street and the corporate banking world.

According to a review in Daily Emerald, the film has little or no character arc and few Raging Bull, Goodfellas cinematography scene stealers.

The movie primarily is about getting people to buy things they don't need due to false expectations and then dancing with the profits, which is exactly what Belfort does with stocks.

The Washington Times review calls DiCaprio's portrayal of Belfort as the "biggest, loudest role he's ever played". The movie's zeal for bad behaviour is unrelenting, as is DiCaprio's over-the-top performance as Belfort, states the review.

As his right-hand maniac, Jonah Hill delivers the movie's best and most unexpected performance, a heavily improvised role, that provides most of this surprisingly funny movie's biggest laughs.

Talking about the "over the top" treatment of the film, Rex Reed of the New York Observer says: "Against my better judgment, there were times in The Wolf of Wall Street when I was over the moon myself."

From cameo parts by Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner and Fran Lebowitz to Ahmad Jamal jazz and Brioni suits, the movie wears its labels well, notes the reviewer.

This is without doubt the funniest movie of Scorsese's career, mentions Tom Huddleston of Time Out. According to his review, The Wolf of Wall Street reminds the audience just how much fun Scorsese can be when he's in a playful mood. It also proves that Leonardo DiCaprio can excel in comedy, too.