The Wolf Of Wall Street: Film Opening Analysis

The Wolf Of Wall Street is based on a real life story about a businessman called Jordan Belfort who was a stockbroker in the New York stock exchange.

It was released in 2013 and was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is classified as an 18 and therefore is targeting adults. Being a black comedy, drug use, sexual content and explicit language is heavily used. This means that quite a large segment of market has been lost due to it being an 18. However, despite this it has still been very successful and has won a golden globe in 2014 for 'best performance by an actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy' (Leonardo Di'caprio). Also it won an AFI Award in 2014 for 'Movie of the Year'. Where this film was released by a large company, Paramount Pictures, it meant they could afford to lose a large segment of the market and aim it at adults only because by getting big names in to play the roles such as Leonardo Di'caprio and Jonah Hill they can still attract large audiences. They had a budget of $100 million and on box office alone, have already made $340 million back.

Lighting is high key in the office, in the car and during the establishing shot of the house. However, we also see low key lighting when we see Belfort in his helicopter and in the bedroom scene. By having this contrast it shows the audiences different times of the day and helps them understand a time scale.

Low key lighting in comparison too..

High key lighting.

 

The camera is used effectively throughout too. Lots of different shots are used to help the audiences follow the storyline. One of the first shots we see in the opening scenes is a mid shot on Leonardo Di'caprio who plays Jordan Belfort. This sets the scene and lets the audience know who the main character is as the camera focuses on him rather than any of the other people in the office. Also while in the office we get a high angle shot of the staff in the office. This sets the scene and allows the audience to understand the set and people in the scene. When they throw the midget at the dart board we get a close up of his face, this then pauses and is used as a transition to the next scene. This makes the scene flow, even though its discontinuous editing.

Close up shot.

Low angle shots are used, for example on Belfort's Ferrari. This makes it look powerful and as though we have to look up at it. It could be seen to be degrading the audience in comparison to the expensive car. The camera then tracks the car from behind. Finally we see an establishing shot of Belfort's property, the camera then zooms out to reveal more.

Establishing Shot/ Zoom out on property.

Editing is discontinuous as scenes jump from one to another with random cuts and there is know fluency to it. At the beginning it is an autobiography as Belfort sets the scene and talks directly to the camera, so directly to the audience to inform them of his life. This then sets the scene for the film.

The film is set in America. In the opening scene Mise-en-scene consists of the office, house and car. As an audience we see lots of people and see Belfort's possessions. From this, even though we already know, we can tell he lives a very luxurious yet rough lifestyle. Also by Belfort's dress sense, it is very smart and sophisticated which straight away tells us he must work in the City or at least did at one point and is now very high class with lots of money and surplus cash to spend.

Clothing shows wealth and sophistication. Also large property shows this too.

Sound is used, mainly non-diegetic sound. Narration of Belfort, as he does a voice over to describe the moving images that the audience is watching. We also hear cheering noises when they are all in the office. Background music fades in after the helicopter scene and also as he is leaving his property in the limo. By having these sounds it helps the audience stay focused and interested.

This film fits into three genres, which are:

• Black Comedy
• Autobiography
• Crime