Blending dark humor with social relativism, Martine Scorsese’s latest blockbuster takes an infectiously irreverent look into the shark-filled waters of late 1980’s stock-broking.

The movie follows aspiring stock-broker, Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he founds his own brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont. Belfort’s speedy success catapults him into affluence and notoriety, earning him the title “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

The age-old story of power and corruption forefronts Scorsese’s coarse cinematic endeavor as Belfort shirks his all-American lifestyle for one of sex, drugs and mucho dinero.

Belfort’s tenacious loyalty (not so much to his spouses as to Stratton Oakmont) and ambition make him a god among his employees and instills respect among movie-goers. An admiration which decays as audiences watch Belfort succumb to the curse of money as he becomes an abusive drug addict with the moral conviction of a crooked politician.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” introduces a tide of vain, brash characters whose distastefully egocentric personas are sweetened solely by their ability to wind audiences with laughter. DiCaprio’s pitch-perfect portrayal of power-hungry Belfort strips away any preconceived notions I had of his predictably consistent roles (as well as all of his clothes).

His ability to make a disgusting human being not only likeable but inspiring, creates a polarizing and memorable character sure to be the topic of many moral debates. Easily one of the best movies of 2013, this Scorsese/DiCaprio combo platter makes for a delectably raunchy film sprinkled with cautionary tales of success, power, hookers, gay orgies, cocaine and Quaaludes