The Wolf of Wall Street is a of ambition, excess, and moral decay, all centred around the real-life figure Jordan Belfort. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter, the film takes audiences on a wild ride through the highs and lows of Wall Street’s most notorious stockbroker.
Dan Harmon’s Story Circle provides a character-focused, flexible structure that aligns well with The Wolf of Wall Street’s narrative. It allows for an exploration of the protagonist’s psychological and moral journey in a way that fits the film’s tone and themes.
Plot Summary of The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Street follows the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a young and ambitious stockbroker who quickly ascends to the top of Wall Street through unethical and illegal means. After starting his career at a reputable firm, Jordan is soon seduced by the lure of quick money in the world of penny stocks. He establishes his own brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, where he and his associates engage in massive securities fraud and corruption, amassing obscene wealth.
As Jordan’s wealth and power grow, so do his vices—drug addiction, lavish spending, and an insatiable appetite for excess. Despite his success, Jordan’s lifestyle spirals out of control, leading to the disintegration of his personal life and increased scrutiny from the FBI. The film ultimately chronicles his downfall, as he faces legal consequences and the collapse of his empire, leaving his future uncertain.
Character Overview
- Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio): The central character, Jordan is a charismatic and ambitious stockbroker who becomes consumed by greed and excess. His journey from a naive newcomer to a corrupt financial kingpin drives the film’s narrative.
- Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill): Jordan’s right-hand man and close associate, Donnie is equally drawn to the lifestyle of excess and corruption. He is Jordan’s confidant and partner in crime, sharing in both the highs and lows of their empire.
- Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie): Jordan’s second wife, Naomi, represents the allure of wealth and beauty that Jordan is obsessed with. Their relationship is passionate but tumultuous, ultimately unraveling due to Jordan’s destructive behavior.
- Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey): A senior broker who introduces Jordan to the cutthroat world of Wall Street, Mark serves as a mentor who instills in Jordan the philosophy of prioritizing wealth above all else.
- Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler): The FBI agent determined to bring Jordan to justice. He represents the moral counterpoint to Jordan’s corrupt world, tirelessly working to expose the illegal activities at Stratton Oakmont.
Story Circle Breakdown
1. You (Comfort Zone)
- Jordan Belfort’s Ordinary World: The story begins with Jordan as an ambitious young man starting his career on Wall Street. He is eager, naive, and excited about the potential for success in the financial world. This is his “ordinary world,” where he is driven by the desire for wealth but has not yet fully embraced the corrupt practices that will define his rise.
- Establishing Normalcy: This phase shows Jordan’s initial, almost innocent entry into the world of finance, where he is exposed to both the legitimate and shady aspects of the industry. The comfort zone here is his early, modest life and aspirations.
2. Need (Desire)
- Jordan’s Desire for Wealth and Power: Jordan’s need is quickly established: he wants to be rich, and not just comfortably wealthy, but obscenely, extravagantly wealthy. His ambition drives him to seek out any means necessary to achieve this, pushing him toward the darker side of Wall Street.
- Call to Action: The pivotal moment comes when Jordan is introduced to the high-pressure sales tactics and unethical practices at the penny stock brokerage, where he sees the enormous potential for profit. This ignites his desire and sets him on his path.
3. Go (Crossing the Threshold)
- Entering the World of High-Stakes Finance: Jordan crosses the threshold when he forms his own brokerage, Stratton Oakmont. Here, he fully steps into the “special world” of extreme wealth, indulgence, and corruption. This is a world where the normal rules no longer apply, and Jordan begins to lose his moral compass.
- Transformation Begins: As he adopts increasingly unethical practices, Jordan’s transformation from a naive, ambitious broker to a ruthless, manipulative businessman begins. The comfort zone of his previous life is left behind as he becomes fully immersed in this new reality.
4. Search (Adaptation)
- Adapting to the High-Flying Lifestyle: Jordan now fully engages in the excesses of his new world—money, drugs, sex, and power. He adapts to this lifestyle, thriving in the chaos and corruption that surround him. The search here is not just for more wealth, but for more of everything: more thrill, more power, and more indulgence.
- Building the Empire: Jordan expands his empire, perfecting his sales tactics and training his employees to push the limits of legality. This phase is marked by his increasing recklessness and the escalating scale of his operations.
5. Find (Getting What You Wanted)
- Achieving Ultimate Success: Jordan achieves what he set out for: immense wealth, status, and power. He has everything he wanted—mansions, yachts, luxury cars, and a lifestyle of excess. However, this success comes with a price, and the initial euphoria begins to show cracks.
- Moment of Triumph: This is Jordan at the peak of his power. He’s living his dream, but there’s an underlying sense of instability as his lifestyle and actions start to spiral out of control.
6. Take (Paying the Price)
- The Consequences of Excess: The price of Jordan’s lifestyle begins to manifest in various forms: his relationships deteriorate, his drug addiction worsens, and the FBI starts closing in on his illegal activities. The empire he built on lies and manipulation starts to crumble.
- Fall from Grace: This stage is marked by Jordan’s increasing paranoia, the breakdown of his marriage, and the eventual legal troubles that lead to his downfall. The consequences of his unchecked desires and moral compromises become unavoidable.
7. Return (The Road Back)
- Facing the Reality of His Actions: After being caught by the authorities, Jordan faces the collapse of his empire and the reality of his actions. He cooperates with the FBI, leading to a reduced sentence but also betraying many of his colleagues.
- Return to the Ordinary World: Jordan returns to a much-diminished life, far removed from the heights he once enjoyed. This “return” is both literal and symbolic, as he must confront the ordinary world with the knowledge of how far he has fallen.
8. Change (Reintegration)
- Jordan’s Transformation and Reflection: The final stage of the Story Circle reflects Jordan’s transformation. While he attempts to rebuild his life as a motivational speaker, there’s an open question about whether he has truly changed. The film leaves his moral redemption ambiguous, suggesting that while he’s learned some lessons, his fundamental nature may not have altered.
- The Elixir: The “elixir” Jordan brings back is his story—a cautionary tale of excess, ambition, and the perils of unchecked desire. However, the film’s ending suggests that society’s fascination with wealth and success remains, as does Jordan’s charisma and influence, indicating that the cycle might begin anew.
Conclusion
By focusing on Jordan Belfort’s journey through comfort, desire, adaptation, and eventual consequence, we gain insight into the character’s complex transformation. The film’s portrayal of excess, ambition, and moral compromise is vividly captured through this narrative structure, offering a nuanced perspective on one man’s rise and fall.