The Rewatchables ‘The Wolf of Wall Street' With Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan, and Ryen Russillo
Dec 3, 2019
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Farce That Reveals Moral Decay
- The Wolf of Wall Street functions as a gonzo farce that makes reprehensible behavior feel entertaining while exposing its destructiveness.
- That tension — fun and moral decay — is the film's deliberate artistic thesis.
Judge Films By Their Moral Positioning
- Don't deny art that portrays reprehensible people; engage with its awareness instead.
- Evaluate works by their position and self-awareness, not only by whether they depict immoral acts.
Blockbuster Meets Moral Debate
- Wolf of Wall Street became Scorsese's highest-grossing film, showing mass appetite for risky depictions.
- Commercial success amplified debates about audience responsibility and cinematic portrayal.