[bowener]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I think Wolf of Wall Street is a superb film because it has in spades what American Hustle lacks entirely: a sense of morality and purpose.

WoWS clearly in every scene paints the behavior of its characters as detestable. Some viewers have had very strong negative reactions to this movie, and their hearts are in the right place because we should hate these characters. We shouldn't hate the movie, though, because the movie exists to make us hate what's being depicted.

Or, better yet, some viewers are just thoroughly entertained by WoWS much like people are entertained by American Hustle. That's even better, because the ultimate purpose of WoWS is to turn its questions back around to us.

Why are we entertained by these coke-fueled antics that happen because normal people are getting screwed out of their money? Because at some level the American people still see getting money, at any cost, as a laudable thing. Why are some viewers outraged at this film but NOT outraged enough -- then or now -- to loudly speak up against the trading firms that still to this day continue to rob Americans of their financial resources? Because at some point, Americans still respect the thieves for getting over on us. That's the beauty of WoWS's moral core: it shows us a world of offensive, hedonistic depravity and also has the balls to make us realize that for all of our offense we would absolutely trade places with the crooks if we had the chance.

American Hustle pats us on the head, tells us that crime is cool & that its ok to think so. WoWS holds a mirror to our faces, shows us how terrible we all are, and spits on us.

I love the final scene of WoWS. It epitomizes the spirit of your post quite well.