The Wolf of Wall Street
Executive Summary
Poster
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Overview
Genres: Drama, Crime, Comedy, Thriller, Biography, Romance, Dark Comedy
Setting: 1987 to 1998, Primarily set in New York City and surrounding areas, including Wall Street, upscale restaurants, and luxurious homes.
Overview: The Wolf of Wall Street follows the tumultuous rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who ascends from a middle-class background to immense wealth and a lavish lifestyle through his brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont. The story begins with Jordan's introduction to the chaotic world of Wall Street, where he quickly becomes enamored with the adrenaline of trading and the allure of money. As he partners with Donnie Azoff and recruits his friends, they engage in increasingly reckless and illegal activities, driven by greed and addiction. The narrative escalates as Jordan's extravagant lifestyle leads to personal and legal troubles, culminating in a confrontation with the FBI. Ultimately, Jordan must confront the consequences of his actions and the moral decay that accompanies his pursuit of the American Dream.
Themes: The American Dream and its Corruption, Greed and Its Consequences, Addiction and its Impact on Relationships, The Power of Persuasion and Manipulation, The Price of Success, Loyalty and Betrayal, The Justice System and its Imperfections
Conflict and Stakes: Jordan's struggle with his self-destructive behavior, legal troubles, and the impact on his relationships, particularly with Naomi, as he navigates the high-stakes world of finance.
Overall Mood: Chaotic and exuberant, with moments of dark humor and tension.
Mood/Tone at Key Scenes:
- Scene 1: The opening scene sets a chaotic and exuberant tone, reflecting the wild lifestyle of the stockbrokers.
Standout Features:
- Unique Hook: The film's portrayal of the chaotic and hedonistic lifestyle of stockbrokers, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Wall Street's excesses.
- Major Twist: Jordan's eventual downfall and legal troubles serve as a stark contrast to his earlier success, highlighting the consequences of his actions.
- Distinctive Setting: The vibrant and chaotic atmosphere of the Stratton Oakmont bullpen, showcasing the frenetic energy of the stock market.
- Innovative Ideas: The use of dark humor to address serious themes of greed and moral ambiguity, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Comparable Scripts:
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- American Psycho
- Boiler Room
- The Big Short
- Catch Me If You Can
- Wall Street
- The Social Network
- Mad Men
- Scarface
Writing Style:
The screenplay's writing style is characterized by sharp dialogue, intense character interactions, and a focus on moral ambiguity and power dynamics. It leans heavily towards fast-paced storytelling, often utilizing high-stakes situations and conflict to drive the narrative.
Style Similarities:
- Martin Scorsese
- Aaron Sorkin
- Quentin Tarantino
- David Mamet
Pass/Consider/Recommend
Explanation:
USP: This screenplay stands out due to its unflinching portrayal of greed and excess in the financial world, combined with a darkly comedic tone that engages the audience. Its unique perspective on the consequences of ambition and moral decay makes it compelling for viewers interested in character studies and cautionary tales.
Market Analysis
Budget Estimate:$20-30 million
Target Audience Demographics: Adults aged 18-45, particularly those interested in biographical dramas, financial thrillers, and stories of excess and downfall.
Marketability: The screenplay's exploration of the high-stakes finance world, combined with its dark humor and compelling characters, is likely to attract a broad audience and generate significant buzz.
The film's themes of greed and excess resonate with contemporary societal issues, making it relevant and appealing to modern viewers.
The unique blend of comedy and drama, along with the real-life inspiration, enhances its marketability, especially among fans of biographical films.
Profit Potential: High, due to the film's appeal to a wide audience, potential for strong box office returns, and opportunities for awards recognition.
Analysis Criteria Percentiles
Writer's Voice
Summary:The writer's voice is characterized by a darkly humorous and cynical tone, a fast-paced narrative, sharp and witty dialogue, and a focus on the excesses and moral ambiguity of the financial world.
Best representation: Scene 1 - The Thrill of Excess. This scene is the best representation of the author's voice because it effectively establishes the tone, style, and themes of the screenplay. It blends fast-paced dialogue, vivid descriptions of excess and decadence, and a darkly humorous tone that perfectly encapsulates the characters' ambition, greed, and recklessness. The scene also foreshadows the moral ambiguity and internal conflicts that will drive the story forward. It provides a glimpse into the chaotic and seductive world of Wall Street, showcasing the writer's ability to create a compelling and engaging narrative.
Memorable Lines:
- Jordan: Money is the oxygen of capitalism and I wanna breathe more than any other human being alive. (Scene 2)
- Jordan: My name is Jordan Belfort. No, not him, me. I’m a former member of the middle class raised by two accountants in a tiny apartment in Bayside, Queens. (Scene 1)
- Jordan: THE SHOW GOES ON!! (Scene 35)
- Jordan Belfort: If you wanna party with the boys, you gotta wake up with the men. (Scene 13)
- Jordan: Sell me this pen. (Scene 46)
Characters
Jordan Belfort:A charismatic and ambitious stockbroker whose rise to wealth is marked by excess, greed, and eventual downfall.
Naomi:Jordan's glamorous wife, who becomes increasingly disillusioned with his reckless lifestyle and infidelity.
Donnie Azoff:Jordan's close friend and business partner, known for his wild behavior and loyalty to Jordan.
Max Belfort:Jordan's father, who represents traditional values and expresses concern over Jordan's extravagant lifestyle.
Agent Denham:An FBI agent investigating Jordan's illegal activities, representing the law and consequences of Jordan's actions.
Story Shape
Screenplay Story Analysis
Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here
Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | Technical Aspects | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Click for Full Analysis | Tone | Overall Grade | Concept | Plot | Originality Score | Characters | Character Changes | Internal Goal | External Goal | Conflict | Opposition | High stakes | Story forward | Twist | Emotional Impact | Dialogue | Engagement | Pacing | Formatting | Structure | |
1 - The Wild Jungle of Wealth | Humorous, Sarcastic, Satirical | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
2 - The Thrill of Excess | Dark, Hedonistic, Paranoid, Confident | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
3 - The Thrill of the Trading Floor | Manic, Sarcastic, Excited | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
4 - The Allure of Wall Street | Intense, Cynical, Dark | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
5 - From Struggles to Success | Intense, Ambitious, Confident | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
6 - The Birth of a Partnership | Intense, Dark, Cynical | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
7 - Ambition and Doubt | Cynical, Sarcastic, Reflective | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
8 - The Art of Manipulation | Intense, Manipulative, Persuasive | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
9 - The Art of Persuasion | Intense, Manipulative, Confident | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
10 - Celebration of Excess | Outrageous, Sensational, Irreverent | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
11 - Chaos and Consequences at Stratton Oakmont | Dark, Humorous, Satirical | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
12 - Dwarfs and Debt | Sarcastic, Cynical, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
13 - Rallying the Brokers | Celebratory, Confident, Humorous | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | |
14 - Desire Amidst Chaos | Humorous, Sarcastic, Seductive | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
15 - Temptation in the City | Romantic, Seductive, Tense | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | |
16 - Beneath the Surface | Dramatic, Intense, Emotional | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
17 - Betrayal in the City | Intense, Violent, Confrontational, Dark | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
18 - Chaos in the Bullpen | Humorous, Dramatic, Sarcastic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
19 - Waves of Celebration and Conflict | Humorous, Dramatic, Romantic | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
20 - Confrontation of Betrayal | Tense, Emotional, Confrontational | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
21 - Seduction and Surveillance | Seductive, Tense, Emotional | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
22 - A Fishy Display of Dominance | Chaotic, Humorous, Confrontational | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
23 - From Heckling to Hustle: The Madden Stock Rally | Motivational, Intense, Humorous | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
24 - High Stakes and Legal Shadows | Intense, Suspenseful, Confrontational, Serious | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
25 - The Yacht Encounter | Confrontational, Sarcastic, Intense, Humorous | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
26 - Chaos in Transit | Humorous, Chaotic, Intense | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
27 - Secrets and Strategies in Saurel's Office | Tense, Suspenseful, Confrontational, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
28 - Flirtation and Illicit Plans | Tense, Conflicted, Secretive, Intimate | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
29 - Cash Conflicts at the Beach House | Dark, Humorous, Tense | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
30 - Money and Mayhem | Tense, Humorous, Chaotic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
31 - Urgent Call in the Basement | Tense, Suspenseful, Dramatic | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
32 - Descent into Chaos | Intense, Suspenseful, Chaotic, Desperate | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
33 - Frantic Rescue | Frantic, Chaotic, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
34 - Crossroads of Recklessness | Intense, Tense, Reflective | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
35 - The Show Goes On | Motivational, Reflective, Celebratory | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
36 - Legal Troubles and Personal Tragedies | Chaotic, Intense, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
37 - Inheritance on the Horizon | Tense, Frantic, Desperate, Sarcastic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
38 - Stormy Descent | Tense, Chaotic, Intense, Dramatic | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
39 - Ambition Over Dinner | Serious, Reflective, Informative | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
40 - Legal Turmoil and Betrayal | Dramatic, Intense, Dark, Humorous | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
41 - Beneath the Surface | Tense, Reflective, Supportive | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
42 - Divided by Optimism | Serious, Intense, Emotional | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
43 - Shattered Bonds | Intense, Emotional, Confrontational | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
44 - Desperate Escape | Tense, Chaotic, Intense, Dramatic | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
45 - The Fall of Jordan Belfort | Tense, Dramatic, Reflective | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
46 - The Pen Challenge | Motivational, Reflective, Serious | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Scene 1 - The Wild Jungle of Wealth
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Written by
Terence Winter
Based on the book
by
Jordan Belfort
White Shooting Script - September 7th, 2012
Blue Revised Pages - September 25th, 2012
Pink Revised Pages - October 9th, 2012
Yellow Revised Pages - October 15th, 2012
Green Revised Pages - October 16th, 2012
Goldenrod Revised Pages - October 19th, 2012
Buff Revised Pages - March 5th, 2013
1 INSERT - TV COMMERCIAL - DAY 1
Over jungle sound effects, the CAMERA is low, moving
through brush from the POV of a stalking animal. As the
brush parts, revealing Wall Street and the New York Stock
Exchange, we HEAR the resonant voice of GENE HACKMAN.
GENE HACKMAN (V.O.)
The world of investing can be a
jungle.
1A WE SEE a charging, snorting BULL. 1A
GENE HACKMAN (V.O.)
Bulls.
1B WE SEE a ferocious, growling BEAR. 1B
GENE HACKMAN (V.O.)
Bears. Danger at every turn.
Pretentious CLASSICAL MUSIC kicks in.
GENE HACKMAN (V.O.)
That’s why we at Stratton Oakmont
pride ourselves on being the best.
1C-1D VARIOUS SHOTS -- a conservative young MAN reviews a stock 1C-1D
portfolio with a wealthy older COUPLE; a smiling young
WOMAN sits before a computer talking into a headset.
GENE HACKMAN (V.O.)
Trained professionals to guide you
through the financial wilderness.
1E WE SEE the Stratton “team” - an ethnically diverse group 1E
of ACTORS with their handsome, grey-templed “CHAIRMAN”.
GENE HACKMAN (V.O.)
Stratton Oakmont. Stabilty.
Integrity. Pride.
1F WE SEE a shot of the black glass Stratton Building, and: 1F
2 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - DAY (FEB ‘95) 2
Absolute bedlam. 300 drunken STOCKBROKERS, most in their
early 20s, chant wildly as JORDAN BELFORT, handsome, 30,
stands beside a DWARF dressed in tights, cape & helmet.
JORDAN
Twenty five grand to the first
cocksucker to nail a bullseye!
The “bullseye” is a large dollar sign in the middle of a
giant velcro “dartboard”.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 2.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Watch and learn, people!
The Brokers go apeshit as Jordan grabs the Dwarf by his
pants and collar. In the Crowd, cash flies as side bets
are made. Jordan winds up, aims for the “dartboard”.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
One. Two. Throw!!
The Brokers cheer, and as the screaming Dwarf takes
flight, hurtling toward camera, we FREEZE FRAME:
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
My name is Jordan Belfort. No, not *
him, me. I’m a former member of *
the middle class raised by two
accountants in a tiny apartment in
Bayside, Queens.
3-3B A SERIES OF POLAROIDS -- (1969) 3-3B
*
Jordan, 7, smiles as he poses behind a lemonade stand,
his parents Max and Leah behind him; Jordan, 13, stands
holding a styrofoam cooler, selling ices on the beach;
Jordan, 18, smiles as he holds an Amway sales brochure.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The year I turned 26, I made 49
million dollars as the head of
my own brokerage firm--
4 EXT. LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY - DAY (FEB ‘95) 4
A CHERRY RED Ferrari Testarossa ZOOMS down the L.I.E.
JORDAN (V.O.)
--which really pissed me off
because it was three shy of a
million a week.
The Ferrari weaves in and out of traffic.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Hey, my Ferrari was white, like
Don Johnson’s in Miami Vice.
We see the same Ferrari, now in WHITE, as it zooms away,
a BLONDE head bobbing up and down in Jordan’s lap.
5 EXT. LONG ISLAND’S NORTH SHORE - DAY (FEB ‘95) 5
A twin-engine Bell Jet helicopter descends over a huge
mansion, with sparkling pool, tennis court and waterfall.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 3.
JORDAN (V.O.)
See that humongous estate down
there? That’s my house.
6 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - MASTER BEDROOM - DAY (FEB ‘95) 6
We see NAOMI, 24, blonde and gorgeous, a living wet dream
in LaPerla lingerie.
JORDAN (V.O.)
My wife, Naomi, the Duchess of Bay
Ridge, Brooklyn, a former model
and Miller Lite girl.
Naomi licks her lips; she’s incredibly, painfully hot.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Yeah, she was the one blowing me
in the Ferrari, so put your dick
back in your pants.
Over the following, WE SEE a quick
7-7C SERIES OF SHOTS 7-7C
All taken from TV; a mansion from Lifestyles of the Rich
and Famous; wealthy PEOPLE applauding at a polo match;
a yacht sailing crystal blue seas; Robert Wagner and
Stephanie Powers toasting with champagne on Hart to Hart.
JORDAN (V.O.)
In addition to Naomi and my two
perfect kids, I own a mansion,
private jet, six cars, three
horses, two vacation homes and
a 170 foot yacht.
Scene 2 - The Thrill of Excess
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Sweaty, wild-eyed and naked, Jordan fucks an HISPANIC
HOOKER from behind.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I also gamble like a degenerate,
drink like a fish, fuck hookers
maybe five times a week and have
three different Federal agencies
looking to indict me.
He dismounts, snorts some coke through a straw, then uses
it to blow some into her asshole.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Oh yeah, and I love drugs.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 4.
Jordan looks up suddenly, paranoid, as if he’s hearing
voices.
9 INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT (FEB ‘95) 9
Jordan, drooling and stoned out of his skull, wears a
rumpled custom-made business suit as he mans a set of
controls next to his frantic co-pilot, CAPTAIN DAVE.
CAPTAIN DAVE
Pull up! Jesus! We’re gonna
crash!!
Jordan’s head bobs as he pulls back on the stick.
The helicopter rises sharply, then levels out, hovering
30 feet above a huge mansion. Down below, through
Jordan’s hazy, DOUBLE VISIONED POV, we see a sparkling
pool, tennis court and waterfall.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Check this out -- despite my
completely fucked-up state, I
could fly straight while still
seeing two of everything.
He closes one eye; his POV sharpens. Putting pressure on
the stick, the helicopter descends slowly over the
driving range... then LURCHES and SLAMS to the ground.
JORDAN
(to Captain Dave)
Ya guzza git hazarous doozy pay,
buddy.
10 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - FRONT DOOR - DAY (FEB ‘95) 10
Morning. Sober now, impeccable in suit and tie, Jordan
heads for the door holding a glass of orange juice.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Yes, on a daily basis I take
enough drugs to sedate greater
Long Island.
11 EXT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - CONTINUOUS (FEB ‘95) 11
He pops two white pills, swigs some juice, then speaks
directly to the camera as he heads for a waiting limo.
JORDAN
I take Quaaludes for my back,
fifteen to twenty a day.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 5.
JORDAN (CONT'D)
I use Xanax to stay focused,
ambien to sleep, pot to mellow
out, cocaine to wake up and
morphine because it’s awesome.
12 EXT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - LONG ISLAND - DAY (FEB ‘95) 12
The limo pulls up to the black glass office building.
Jordan gets out, heads inside through a back door.
JORDAN
But of all the drugs under God’s
blue heaven, there’s one that’s my
absolute favorite.
13 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY (FEB ‘95) 13
Gadgets, computers, oxblood leather furniture. With
the DIN of the brokerage firm bleeding in, Jordan uses
a credit card to cut a line of coke on his desk. As he
peels a crisp $100 DOLLAR BILL off a wad, rolls it up:
JORDAN
Enough of this shit’ll make you
invincible, able to conquer the
world and eviscerate your enemies.
He SNARFS up the line, gestures to the cocaine.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
I’m not talking about this. I’m
talking about this.
(Jordan unfurls the
$100 with a SNAP)
Money is the oxygen of capitalism
and I wanna breathe more than any
other human being alive.
He crumbles it into a ball and tosses it into a corner,
where it comes to rest with two dozen others. Over his
back as we TRACK HIM out of his office toward what sounds
like the ROAR of a mob--
JORDAN (V.O.)
Money doesn’t just buy you a
better life -- better food, better
cars, better pussy -- it also
makes you a better person. You
can give generously to the church
of your choice or the political
party. You can save the fucking
spotted owl with money.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 6.
14 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - DAY (FEB ‘95) 14
Arms akimbo, Jordan stands above the bullpen, a huge open
space with tightly packed rows of maple colored desks.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But most of all, in any country in
the world, money can buy you love.
Fuck the Beatles.
His 300 BROKERS, mostly young men with their jackets off,
scream wildly. They worship him.
JORDAN (V.O.)
With that in mind, at the tender
age of 22, after marrying my
girlfriend Teresa--
14A SCENES 14A - 18 OMITTED 14A
19 EXT. WALL STREET - DAY (MAY ‘87) 19
An express bus pull up -- its sign reads “Wall
Street”....
JORDAN (V.O.)
--I headed to the only place that
befit my high-minded ambitions...
Jordan emerges, kisses TERESA goodbye, then joins a sea
of Commuters heading to work.
JERRY FOGEL (PRE-LAP)
You are lower than fucking pond
scum.
Scene 3 - The Thrill of the Trading Floor
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 9
Computers, telephones everywhere. At their desks, 45
shirt-sleeved BROKERS read their Wall St. Journals,
readying for war. Like an eager puppy, Jordan follows
broker JERRY FOGEL, 30, thick-lipped and bow-tied...
JERRY FOGEL
You got a problem with that?
(reads name tag)
Jordan?
JORDAN
Nope. No problem at all.
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JERRY FOGEL
Your job is ‘connector’, which
means you'll be dialing the phone
over 500 times a day, trying to
‘connect’ me with business owners.
And till you pass your Series 7,
that’s all you’ll be doing. Sit.
Jordan takes a seat at the desk next to Fogel’s.
JERRY FOGEL (CONT’D)
Just so you know, last year I made
over 300k and the other guy you'll
be working for made a million.
JORDAN (V.O.)
A million dollars? I could only
imagine what a douchebag that guy
must be.
A manicured hand lands on Jordan’s shoulder. It’s MARK
HANNA, 30s, charismatic, movie-star handsome.
MARK HANNA
Jordan? Mark Hanna.
(re: Fogel)
Good, you’ve met Jerry. One of
the smartest guys in the office.
Who’s ever sucked a dog’s cock out
of loneliness.
Fogel’s smile turns to a frown. He hands Jordan a stack
of 3x5 index cards.
JERRY FOGEL
Smile and dial. And don’t pick
your fucking head up till one.
MARK HANNA
Don’t mind Jerry, his father raped
him as a child. Besides, I'm
senior broker here, he's a
worthless piker. I heard you
pitched stock at your job
interview.
JORDAN
Had to do something to stand out.
MARK HANNA
I fuckin’ love that! Let’s grab
lunch later. Windows good with
you?
JORDAN
Great. Yeah.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 8.
Hanna gives him a wink, looks at the clock on the giant
electronic stock ticker encircling the room -- 9:30 a.m.
MARK HANNA
Let’s fuck!!
RING!!! Absolute pandemonium at the BELL signalling the
opening of the stock market. Feet fly off desks; Brokers
and their Connectors dial phones like mad. The CAMERA
PUSHES IN on JORDAN, mesmerized as he takes in the ROAR.
BROKER #1
(to Broker #2)
Miniscribe's a fuckin’ steal!
Thirty eight bucks a share!
MARK HANNA
(into headset)
Your broker in West Virginia?
What are you buying, a coal mine?
It's the 80s, the game is high-
tech.
BROKER #2
(to Broker #3)
Fuckface! I got 50,000 July 50s!
JORDAN (V.O.)
You want to know what money sounds
like? Visit a trading floor on
Wall Street. Fuck this, shit
that. Cock, cunt, asshole. I
couldn’t believe how these guys
talked to each other--
Fogel notices Jordan sitting there frozen. He covers his
mouthpiece, kicks the desk violently.
JERRY FOGEL
Dial the cocksucking phone!
Jordan snaps out of it, starts dialing.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I was hooked within seconds.
Mark Hanna slams down his phone in victory, scrawls out a
“buy” ticket. He places the ticket into a glass cylinder
which he slips into a plastic pneumatic tube.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It was like mainlining adrenaline.
The tube is WHOOSHED into the ceiling and we’re suddenly--
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 9.
Scene 4 - The Allure of Wall Street
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
CLOSE ON a COKE SPOON whose contents disappear up a
nostril. PULL BACK TO REVEAL...
The lunchtime power spot with panoramic views of the
city. At a corner table, a paranoid Jordan looks around
as Hanna does another bump of coke. None of the other
DINERS seem to notice or care.
MARK HANNA
(offering the spoon)
Got enough for one more? Tootski?
JORDAN
No. Thanks though.
Hanna slips the vial into his pocket as HECTOR, the
tuxedoed Maitre’D, approaches.
HECTOR
Mr. Hanna, what can I bring for
you on this glorious afternoon?
Hanna surreptitiously palms Hector a $100; Jordan
notices.
MARK HANNA
Here’s the game plan, Hector.
Bring us two Absolut Martinis
straight up. Precisely seven and
a half minutes after you deliver
those you’ll bring two more, then
two more every five minutes until
one of us passes out.
HECTOR
An excellent strategy, sir.
JORDAN
Actually, I’m good with 7-Up.
Jordan might as well have farted at the table.
MARK HANNA
First day on Wall Street, Hector.
Give him time.
(Hector offers menus)
No thanks, I’m not eating.
Hector heads off.
JORDAN
You can get high during the day
and still function?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 10.
MARK HANNA
High is the only way to do this
fucking job. Guy who coined the
term “three-martini lunch” was a
woman. Cocaine and hookers, my
friend, the keys to success.
Jordan smiles, not sure if Hanna is kidding.
JORDAN
I gotta say, I’m really excited
about being part of your team.
I wanna do all I can for our
clients and --
MARK HANNA
(reciting an ad)
“Here at L.F. Rothschild, our
clients aren’t just important,
they’re family.” Just as long as
we get our taste first. Remember
something, Jordan, your top
priority in this job: make us
money. If the clients get rich
along the way, bully for them.
Got a girlfriend?
JORDAN
Wife. She cuts hair.
Mark swallows a comment about that. Gets to business.
MARK HANNA
OK, first rule of Wall Street.
Nobody -- and I don’t care if
you’re Warren Buffet or Jimmy
Buffet -- nobody knows if a
stock’s going up, down or fucking
sideways, least of all stock
brokers. But we have to pretend
we know. Make sure you stay
relaxed. Nobody wants to buy
something from someone who sounds
like they haven’t gotten laid in a
month. Take breaks when you feel
stressed, jerk off if you can.
You like jerking off, right?
JORDAN
Well... sure.
MARK HANNA
Good, jerking off is key. And I
highly recommend cocaine, which
will make you dial faster, which
is good for me. Churn ‘em and
burn ‘em, baby.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 11.
A BUSBOY stops by with a fresh napkin for Mark who thanks
him. Then, discreetly as possible, Mark removes a fresh
vial of cocaine tucked within and takes a quick snort.
Jordan realizes: that’s why he palmed the maitre d’ $100.
JORDAN (V.O.)
For the next six months I learned
the ways of Wall Street.
22 INT. STRIP CLUB - NIGHT (OCT ‘87) 22
As STRIPPERS grind in b.g, Jordan parties with Mark Hanna
and dozens of BROKERS and TRAINEES. Jordan sips a
martini and studies Mark Hanna, hitting on a STRIPPER.
JORDAN (V.O.)
That fall I passed my Series 7.
Finally it was here.
23 INT. ROTHSCHILD BUILDING - LOBBY - DAY (OCT ‘87) 23
Briefcase in hand, Jordan boards the elevator with a
dozen other BROKERS.
JORDAN (V.O.)
My first day as a stockbroker, a
future Master of the Universe.
And as the doors close, on screen WE SEE:
OCTOBER 19th, 1987
24 INT. L.F. ROTHSCHILD - BULLPEN - DAY (OCT ‘87) 24
Total chaos. Jordan dials the phone as all around him
Brokers panic, screaming into headsets.
JORDAN (V.O.)
They called it Black Monday.
By four p.m. the market was down
508 points, the biggest one-day
drop since the crash of ‘29.
4 p.m. The closing bell RINGS; the entire place goes
silent. Brokers look at each other, stunned.
MARK HANNA
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
And as the Brokers start commiserating with each other...
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 12.
JORDAN (V.O.)
L.F. Rothschild, a company that
had been in business since 1883,
closed its doors within a month.
Scene 5 - From Struggles to Success
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
Jordan sits at the table perusing the Times classifieds.
Teresa approaches with two coffees. Sits next to him.
TERESA
So I’ll take an extra shift, don’t
worry about it.
JORDAN
You work too much as it is.
TERESA
We could pawn my engagement ring.
JORDAN
We’re not pawning anything. I’m
gonna be a millionaire, Teresa.
TERESA
You know that doesn’t matter,
right?
He smiles, kisses her. Together, they peruse the ads.
JORDAN
(points to an ad)
“Nobody Beats the Wiz”. I could
be a stock boy.
TERESA
You’re a stock broker.
JORDAN
No one’s hiring brokers right now,
sweetie.
They go back to the ads. After a few beats, she points--
TERESA
This place is.
26 EXT. STRIP MALL - PARKING LOT - LONG ISLAND - DAY (DEC ‘87) 26
In a suit, Jordan emerges from an ‘85 Datsun. He looks
around confused, heads toward an unmarked storefront.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 13.
27 INT. INVESTOR’S CENTER - DAY (DEC ‘87) 27
The antithesis of L.F. Rothschild, with cheap furniture
and a dozen misfit “BROKERS” giving loud, obnoxious sales
pitches. Jordan enters, a modern man among cave people.
DWAYNE, slovenly, 35, with a walrus mustache, looks up.
JORDAN
I’m looking for Investor’s Center?
DWAYNE
That’s us, hey. Dwayne.
JORDAN
(as they shake hands)
Jordan Belfort, I called earlier.
I was a broker with Rothschild.
Dwayne motions Jordan to a seat. Nearby, a Broker in
ratty Keds, TOBY WELCH, is screaming into his phone.
TOBY WELCH
I’m tellin’ you, this stock is
goin’ up!... Cause I know,
okay?!... I have inside
information!
Jordan looks at him, appalled at what he’s hearing.
JORDAN
Where are your quotrons?
DWAYNE
No quotrons, we sell off the pink
sheets -- penny stocks.
Dwayne slides Jordan a large thin book; its pages are
literally pink. He explains as Jordan flips the pages:
DWAYNE (CONT’D)
Company don’t have enough capital
to be listed on NASDAQ, their
shares trade here.
(points to the book)
Like these guys, Aerotyne? They
make radar detectors out of a
garage in Dubuque.
JORDAN
Six cents a share? Who buys this
crap?
DWAYNE
Schmucks mostly. Mailmen,
plumbers, people thinking they can
get rich quick. They answer our
ads, Popular Mechanics, Hustler.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 14.
JORDAN
The spread on these is huge.
DWAYNE
So’s your commission, that’s the
point. Blue chips stocks you get
what, one percent? Pink sheets
are fifty.
JORDAN
Wait a second. You’re telling me
if I sell two thousand dollars
worth of stock, my commission is a
thousand bucks?
DWAYNE
Technically, yeah, but not even
the biggest schmuck buys two
thousand dollars of this shit.
28 INT. INVESTOR’S CENTER - (LATER THAT) DAY (DEC ’87) 28
As others Brokers bark into phones, Jordan sits, phone
cradled in his shoulder, making notes. A few beats, then:
JORDAN
(into phone)
Mr. Fleming, good morning, Jordan
Belfort with Investor’s Center in
New York City. You recently
responded to one of our ads...
A few of the other Brokers glance over, eavesdropping.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
The reason I’m calling is that
an extremely exciting investment
opportunity crossed my desk today.
Typically our firm recommends no
more than five stocks per year:
this is one of them...
A few more Brokers look over...
JORDAN (CONT'D)
Aerotyne International is a
cutting edge tech firm out of the
Midwest, awaiting imminent patent
approval on a new generation of
radar equipment...
LATER. Now all the Brokers listen in rapt attention.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 15.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
-- so if Aerotyne’s shares rise
to only a dollar -- and our
research indicates they could go
much, much higher -- your profit
on a mere three thousand dollar
investment would be upwards of
fifty thousand... That’s right,
you could pay off your mortgage.
Seconds tick by; an eternity, then he starts writing:
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Four thousand dollars, will
that be check or money order?...
Thank you, sir.
Jordan hangs up, scrawls out a “buy” ticket.
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Just like that I made two grand.
The other guys looked at me like
I’d just discovered fire.
Toby Welch and the other cave-Brokers stare at him.
TOBY WELCH
How’d you fuckin’ do that?
Scene 6 - The Birth of a Partnership
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Jordan sits at his desk in mid-pitch, totally focused.
JORDAN
It’s a rock-solid company, sir,
it’s the next Microsoft...
Six thousand. Terrific.
As Jordan continues talking, wrapping up the sale...
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Though I knew I was selling
garbage, within twelve weeks I
was making a fortune.
And as he starts scrawling out a buy ticket...
JORDAN (V.O.)
And as a wise man once told me,
my only responsibility was to
put meat on the table.
CLOSE ON a 1988 Jaguar, parked outside a diner...
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 16.
30 INT. KACANDES DINER - BAYSIDE - DAY (JUN ‘88) 30
Wearing a suit, Jordan sits in a booth reading the Wall
Street Journal as a WAITRESS serves the food. DONNIE
AZOFF, preppy-looking, 25, with horn-rims and bright
white teeth approaches from the takeout counter.
DONNIE
That your Jag in the lot?
JORDAN
Yeah.
DONNIE
Nice ride. Donnie Azoff.
JORDAN
Jordan Belfort.
DONNIE
I’ve seen it around. We live in
the same building. Twelfth floor?
(Jordan nods)
What do you do, bro?
JORDAN
Stock broker.
DONNIE
Kids furniture, me and my brother-
in-law. Making any money?
JORDAN
Seventy grand last month.
DONNIE
Get the fuck out. You made
seventy grand in one month.
JORDAN
Seventy two actually.
Donnie studies him, isn’t sure if he’s full of shit.
DONNIE
Tell you what. You show me a pay
stub with $72,000 on it, I’m
quitting my job right now and
coming to work with you.
As Jordan retrieves his briefcase to find a paystub -- *
30A SCENE 30A OMITTED *30A
30B As Jordan hands Donnie his paystub and sure enough, it’s *30B
north of seventy-two k. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 17.
DONNIE (CONT’D) *
Holy shit.
Jordan watches as Donnie crosses to a pay phone and
dials.
JORDAN (V.O.)
And he did quit his job, which
I thought was a little weird.
I mean I had just met this
fucking guy.
A few beats, then into phone:
DONNIE
Yo Paulie, it’s Donnie... Yeah,
listen, I quit.
Jordan studies Donnie as he continues his conversation...
JORDAN (V.O.)
There were other things about him
too, like his phosphorescent white
teeth and the fact that he wore
horn rims with clear lenses to
look more Waspy. He also married
his first cousin --
31 SCENE 31 OMITTED 31
32 INT. BAR - DAY (JUN ‘88) * 32
Jordan sits in mid-conversation with Donnie over beers.
DONNIE
No problem, if we have a kid who’s
a retard, we’ll just leave it on
the steps of some institution.
And as they continue drinking...
JORDAN (V.O.)
He was also a closet drug fiend.
I’d known him less than a week
before he talked me into smoking
crack.
33 EXT. BACK OF BAR - DAY (JUN ‘88) * 33
Jordan and Donnie get high. Donnie holds a flame under a
crack pipe.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 18.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The weird thing was when he’d do
crack, his face would contort into
this bizarre, frozen mask like the
Phantom of the Opera.
Donnie does a hit of crack; his jaw twitches, then his
facial muscles contort, locking up like a stroke victim.
After a few beats, he hands the pipe to Jordan.
DONNIE
You now, take a hit!
Jordan takes a deep hit and holds it. A beat, then:
JORDAN
Omigod, I fuckin’ love you!!
JORDAN (V.O.)
I knew I had to make him my
partner.
34 INT. INVESTOR’S CENTER - DAY (SEP ‘88) 34
Jordan looks on as Donnie works the phone like a madman.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Which turned out to be a great
move - Donnie was a fast learner
who transitioned into the penny
stock business quickly.
35 EXT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP - DAY (SEP ‘88) 35
Jordan and Donnie pull up to a defunct auto body shop,
which has a “For Lease” sign in the window.
JORDAN (V.O.)
So within months we started our
own firm out of an abandoned auto
body shop.
Scene 7 - Ambition and Doubt
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
Jordan sits with CHESTER MING, ROBBIE FEINBERG, ALDEN
KUPFERBERG (”SEA OTTER”) and BRAD, muscular and bald,
with a Fu Manchu mustache.
JORDAN (V.O.)
In addition to Donnie, I also
recruited my friends Sea Otter, *
Chester and Robbie, who were at *
the time all middling pot dealers.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 19.
As a WAITRESS serves cheeseburgers:
JORDAN
--see everyone wants to get rich,
so you’re already half way there
by the time the call starts.
SEA OTTER
I sold weed once to this Amish
dude, had one of those beards with
no mustache?
ROBBIE FEINBERG
So?
SEA OTTER
He only wanted to make furniture.
CHESTER MING
What’s that got to do with
anything?
SEA OTTER
He just said everyone wants to
get rich.
ROBBIE FEINBERG
(to Jordan)
That’s true, you did.
SEA OTTER
Buddhists too, they don’t give a
shit about money either.
CHESTER MING
Man I could sell weed to anybody,
get a convent full of nuns fucking
wasted.
And as Brad looks at Jordan and shakes his head:
37 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO BODY SHOP - BULLPEN 37
(OCT ‘88)
We see the above guys working the phones.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Brad, the guy I really wanted,
took a pass, since he’d become the
Quaalude king of Bayside.
38 EXT. BRAD’S HOUSE - BACKYARD GYM - DAY (OCT ‘88) 38
Bare-chested, wearing kung fu pants, Brad sells ludes to
a couple of HIGH SCHOOL KIDS.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 20.
JORDAN (V.O.)
They were absolute morons, my
friends, but like I always said--
39 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO BODY SHOP - BULLPEN - DAY 39
(OCT ‘88)
Jordan emerges from his office into the garage area
(the bullpen), looking on as Donnie, Chester, Robbie, Sea
Otter and four other BROKERS (now including RUGRAT and
Toby) make sales calls from the cheap desks.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Give me them young, hungry and
stupid and in no time I’ll make
them rich.
40 EXT. MARINA - LONG ISLAND - SUNSET (MAY ‘89) 40
On lounge chairs at the edge of a dock, bottle of wine
nearby, Jordan sits with Teresa. He smiles as she opens
a jewelry case -- inside is a diamond tennis bracelet.
TERESA
Omigod. Jordan.
JORDAN
You like it?
TERESA
It’s beautiful.
Jordan helps her try it on. She smiles, but he detects a
wave of... something.
JORDAN
They’re small, I know, but the
stones are really high quality.
TERESA
No, no. I love it.
JORDAN
Then what?
They sit in silence. Finally:
TERESA
I don’t know, it’s just -- these
stocks, these crappy companies.
JORDAN
In five years the Corleone family
will be completely legitimate.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 21.
TERESA
Why can’t you be legitimate now?
JORDAN
It’s not illegal, Teresa,
technically. I mean they’re real
stocks, they’re just...
TERESA
Never gonna make anybody money.
(a few beats; then)
Wouldn’t you feel better selling
this junk to rich people, who can
afford to lose the money at least?
JORDAN
Rich people don’t buy penny
stocks.
TERESA
Why not?
And on Jordan’s look:
JORDAN (V.O.)
Because they’re too smart, that’s
why not.
Scene 8 - The Art of Manipulation
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
CLOSE ON Jordan, brow furrowing as his wheels turn.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I mean what person of any
substance would trust this bunch
of jerk-offs? Like the Pinhead, *
Robbie Feinberg.
42 SCENES 42 - 46 OMITTED * 42
46A INSERT ID PHOTO - TOBY WELCH *46A
JORDAN (V.O.) *
Toby Welch. I mean, look at this *
fucking Cro-Magnon, I wouldn’t *
trust him to pick up a rock. *
(ALT) *
JORDAN (V.O.) *
Toby Welch. I mean, look at this *
fucking Cro-Magnon, he couldn’t *
even think without moving his *
lips. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 22.
46B INSERT ID PHOTO - ROBBIE FEINBERG 46B
JORDAN (V.O.)
Or the Sea Otter.
46C INSERT ID PHOTO - THE SEA OTTER 46C
JORDAN (V.O.)
Chester Ming even, the Depraved
Chinaman, with his giant panda
head.
46D INSERT ID PHOTO - CHESTER MING 46D
JORDAN (V.O.)
Or Nicky Koskoff, who I called
Rugrat because--
46E INSERT ID PHOTO - RUGRAT 46E
JORDAN (V.O.)
Well, you can probably figure that
out for yourself.
47 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO BODY SHOP - REAR - NIGHT 47
(MAR ‘90)
The camera PUSHES IN on Jordan as he stands before a
large dry erase board.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But what if they didn’t sound like
jerk-offs? What if I took this
bunch of nincompoops and molded
them in my own image? I
reinvented the company, gave it a
new image, a new name. Something
patrician, blue-blooded, something
that reeked of tradition and anti-
semitism.
And as his Brokers settle in to folding chairs--
JORDAN
Gentlemen, welcome to Stratton
Oakmont. The clients we’ve gone
after in the past -- they’re done.
We will now target exclusively the
wealthiest one percent of
Americans. The methods we’ve used
-- over. Loud, obnoxious sales
hype is worthless with these
people.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 23.
JORDAN (CONT'D)
In military terms it’s like carpet-
bombing -- noisy, menacing and
only marginally effective. As
Stratton brokers you will be laser-
guided smart-bombs aimed at high-
priority targets. You will
establish an initial relationship
with your clients selling only
blue chip stocks -- then and only
then will you attempt to sell the
pink sheets, where the real money
is. Now the key to every sale is
this:
Jordan writes the word “URGENCY” on the board.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
No one buys stock unless he thinks
it’s going up and going up now.
You must convince your client to
buy before the takeover happens,
before the lawsuit is settled,
before the patent is granted.
If he says I’ll think about it and
call you back, it’s over, you’re
dead! No one calls back! So you
have to create urgency --
48 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 48
Another day. With Stratton Oakmont signage visible in
the b.g., Jordan is on speakerphone with a potential
CLIENT, the other Brokers listening in.
JORDAN
--and once Kodak settles the
lawsuit, institutions will be
permitted to buy their shares in
large blocks again. And when that
happens, which is any day now,
what do you think will happen to
the price of Kodak stock?
CLIENT (O.S.)
It’ll go up?
JORDAN
Exactly. Which is why you should
pick up 5000 shares today, a
$200,000 investment.
49 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO BODY SHOP - REAR - NIGHT 49
Jordan stands addressing his Brokers.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 24.
JORDAN
Then you lower your voice.
50 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 50
Jordan pitches the client, his voice lowered.
JORDAN
Believe me, sir, you will not be
sorry.
51 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO BODY SHOP - REAR - NIGHT 51
Jordan stands before the Brokers.
JORDAN
Then you wait. Whoever speaks
first loses. At this point, where
are we in the sale? Chester?
CHESTER MING
About to close?
JORDAN
No, you sweet and sour douchebag!
We’re at the beginning of the
beginning! This is where the sale
starts. You as a salesman are
almost hoping he says no so you
can finally do your fucking job!
52 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 52
Jordan sits at the phone, waiting for a response.
CLIENT (O.S.)
I don’t know, I don’t think so.
Scene 9 - The Art of Persuasion
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
Jordan stands before the Brokers.
JORDAN
He doesn’t know, he needs to
think, he’s gotta ask his wife!
The fact is it doesn’t matter what
the fuck he says! If he’s already
agreed that the stock’s going up,
then the only real objection he
has at this point is he doesn’t
trust you! And he shouldn’t trust
you, you’re a fucking salesman!
So what do you say?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 25.
54 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 54
Donnie talks on the phone to a Client.
DONNIE
Let me ask you this, sir -- had I
been your broker for the past
three to four years and made you
money on a consistent basis, you
probably wouldn’t say you need to
think about it, you’d probably say
pick me up three or four thousand
shares, am I right?
CLIENT #2 (O.S.)
Maybe.
55 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 55
(APR ‘90)
The place is crowded; now 20 Brokers make up the sales
force. Sea Otter pitches a client.
SEA OTTER
Wait a second. You mean to tell
me if I put you in Union Carbide
at 7 and took you out at 32--
56 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 56
(MAY ‘90)
Even more crowded, with 30 Brokers.
ROBBIE FEINBERG
If I put you in Texas Instruments
at 11 and took you out at 47--
57 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT I - AUTO SHOP BULLPEN - DAY 57
(JUN ‘90)
More Brokers still - now there’s 45.
CHESTER MING
--Walmart at 16 and took you out
at 95, you wouldn’t say Chester
pick me up 10,000 shares? C’mon.
CLIENT #3 (O.S.)
Well yeah, in that case I would.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 26.
58 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT II - BULLPEN - DAY (NOV ‘90) 58
New offices now, a real brokerage firm. The bullpen is
large, with 75 Brokers at polished maple desks, sitting
before computers talking into headsets.
DONNIE
So the problem is that I don’t
have the luxury of a track record.
Sir, let me reintroduce myself to
you. My name is Donnie Azoff--
58A CUT TO: 58A
RUGRAT
--Nicky Koskoff-- *
58B CUT TO: 58B
CHESTER MING
Chester Ming--
58C CUT TO: 58C
PETER DEBLASIO
Peter DeBlasio from Stratton
Oakmont in New York City--
58D CUT TO: 58D
TOBY WELCH
--and I plan on being the top
broker in my firm this year.
58E CUT TO: 58E
SEA OTTER
So what about this? We start
small with 500 shares, a cash
outlay of $20,000.
58F CUT TO: 58F
KALIL *
If the stock goes up 10%, will
that make you a rich man? Of
course not.
58G CUT TO: 58G
KIMMIE BELZER
If if goes down 10%, will it make
you a poor man? No..
58H CUT TO: 58H
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 27.
CHESTER MING
What this trade will do is serve
as a benchmark for future
business.
58J CUT TO: 58J
PETER DEBLASIO
The downside is minimal and the
upside is a long-term relationship
with a broker on Wall Street who
will consistently make you money.
58K CUT TO: 58K
JORDAN
Your only regret will be that I
didn’t call you six months ago.
58L CUT TO: 58L
CLIENT #1 (O.S.)
(to Robbie Feinberg)
All right.
58M CUT TO: 58M
CLIENT #2 (O.S.)
(to Sea Otter)
Give me 300 shares.
58N CUT TO: 58N
CLIENT #3 (O.S.)
(to Peter DeBlasio)
1200 shares.
58P CUT TO: 58P
CLIENT #4 (O.S.)
(to Jordan)
I’ll take 5000 shares.
Scene 10 - Celebration of Excess
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
4PM the place goes nuts as Jordan emerges from his office *
holding a spread sheet. He addresses the crowd of 100
BROKERS, which now includes a dozen WOMEN.
JORDAN
Everybody have a good week?
Applause; war whoops.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 28.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
I’d like to read you something.
(reads spread sheet)
Month end, March 1991! $28.7
million in gross commissions - all *
in Stratton issues. Not bad for *
penny stocks, huh boys? Not bad *
for dumpin’ penny stocks. *
The place goes WILD with applause.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
And to celebrate with a weekly act
of debauchery, I have offered our
lovely sales assistant Danielle
Harrison ten thousand dollars to *
have her head shaved!
Jordan motions to DANIELLE HARRISON, 19, pretty, sitting *
in a chair nearby. Behind her, Rugrat uses clippers to
shave her thick brown mane. The place goes nuts.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
FYI, Danielle tells me she’s using
the money for breast implants! Is
this a great company or what?!!
More wild applause as Jordan signals across the bullpen
to Donnie. We hear the opening strains of “Stars &
Stripes Forever” as he opens the door to a
COLLEGE MARCHING BAND
dressed in underwear and hats. The music continues as
somersaulting GYMNASTS and BATON-TWIRLERS bring up the
rear. As they march through the bullpen to cheers--
FROM THE KITCHEN -- two dozen TUXEDO-CLAD WAITERS emerge
carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The
music continues as two dozen STRIPPERS bolt in, gyrating
among the BROKERS. As Jordan surveys the insanity:
JORDAN (V.O.)
Word spread throughout Wall
Street -- I was becoming a legend.
Forbes Magazine even called to do
a profile on me...
60 SCENES 60 - 67 OMITTED 60
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 29.
68 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT II - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 68
(SEP ‘91)
Jordan finishes up an interview with a FEMALE FORBES
REPORTER - ALIYAH FARRAN. They shake hands, then he
smiles for the camera - CLICK!
JORDAN (V.O.)
A total fucking hatchet job.
69 INT. JORDAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - MORNING 69
(OCT ‘91)
A gorgeous place; city views. As Teresa sits nearby, a
distraught Jordan paces, holding the copy of Forbes.
JORDAN
That conniving little twat!
(reading)
“The Wolf of Wall Street”.
TERESA
(on the bright side)
Your hair looks good.
JORDAN
“Jordan Belfort, a twisted version
of Robin Hood who takes from the
rich and gives to himself and his
merry band of brokers”.
TERESA
There’s no such thing as bad
publicity, sweetie.
70 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT II - BULLPEN - LATER THAT DAY 70
Bustling with activity. Jordan enters, crosses toward
his office. Off to the side of the bullpen, he notices
three dozen YOUNG MEN in business suits. He approaches
his assistant JANET, 20s, dressed all in black.
JORDAN
The hell’s all this?
JANET
The Forbes article. They’re
applying for jobs.
They spot Jordan, start clamoring, waving their resumes.
JOB APPLICANTS
Mr. Belfort! Over here! Sir!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 30.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Forbes had made me a superstar.
Every day dozens of money-crazed
kids beat a path to my door with
resumes they hadn’t even bothered
to spellcheck.
Jordan crosses through the packed bullpen, where 150
BROKERS, no older than 22, are crammed elbow to elbow
talking into phones. Some have pets, which they tend to
while they work -- iguanas, snakes, turtles, even a
chimp. Others are getting shoulder rubs by Masseuses
or being fitted for suits by a TAILOR. Over the above:
JORDAN (V.O.)
If we hired ‘em, they dropped out
of college overnight and blew
whatever allowance they had on a
new suit from our in-house tailor.
The median age of our brokerage
couldn’t get served in the bar
down the street.
71 INT. FBI BREAK ROOM - DAY (OCT ‘91) 71
PATRICK DENHAM sits sipping coffee as he reads Forbes.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Not this guy though -- what the
fuck is he even doing here? He
read the Forbes article, too, but
he already had a job.
72 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - DAY (MAR ‘92) 72
CLOSE ON two BROKERS wrestling while others cheer them
on. PULL BACK to reveal the place from the opening. 300
young Brokers and their hot ASSISTANTS work the phones.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Within months, we doubled in size,
moved to even bigger offices.
Two other Brokers pump themselves up, chest-bumping and
screaming like football players.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It was a madhouse, a greed-fest,
with equal parts cocaine,
testosterone and body fluids.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 31.
73 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - MEN’S ROOM - DAY (MAR ‘92) 73
In a stall, two Brokers snort coke, while another Broker
fucks a Sales Assistant perched on the sink.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I had to declare the office a fuck-
free zone between the hours of 9
and 7, but even that didn’t help.
Taped to the mirror we see a MEMO -- inside a red circle,
two anatomically correct stick figures fuck doggy-style,
a red line slashing through them.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Actually the madness started on
our very first day, when one of
our brokers, Ben Jenner,
christened the elevator by
getting a blowjob from a sales
assistant.
Scene 11 - Chaos and Consequences at Stratton Oakmont
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Two dozen Brokers cheer, watching through the rising
glass elevator as BEN JENNER, 25, gets a blowjob from a
brunette SALES ASSISTANT. *
JORDAN (V.O.)
Her name was Pam and to her
credit, she did have an amazing
technique, with this wild twist
and jerk motion.
75 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 75
(FEB ‘92)
As Pam blows Jordan, Donnie fucks her from behind.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Eventually Ben married her, which
was pretty amazing considering she
blew every guy in the office.
75A INSERT POLAROID - (JUN ‘92) 75A
A wedding photo of Ben and Pam.
JORDAN (V.O.)
He got depressed and killed
himself three years later.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 32.
75B INSERT POLAROID - (JUN ‘95) 75B
A crime scene photo; Ben in his underwear, dead on a
bathroom floor, a gun near his head, which oozes blood.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Anyway, in an attempt to maintain
order, I hired my dad Max as
defacto CFO and head of the
Gestapo.
75C INT. JORDAN’S PARENTS’ APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 75C
MAX BELFORT sits smoking, watching a rerun of “The
Equalizer” on TV. His wife, LEAH, does needlepoint.
JORDAN (V.O.)
We called him Mad Max because of
his hair-trigger temper, which
could be set off by something as
innocuous as a ringing telephone.
The phone RINGS.
MAX
Who the hell has the goddamn gall
to call this house on a Tuesday
evening! Goddammit!
JORDAN (V.O.)
But then the weirdest thing would
happen. Though he’d never been
near England, he’d pick up the
phone and affect an ever-so-slight
British accent.
Greatly agitated, Max stomps toward the phone.
JORDAN (V.O.)
This was his other persona -- the
super polite, ever-gracious Sir
Max.
MAX
(into phone)
Hello?... Yes, Gene, right-eo.
Good-good then... Cheerio.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It was absolutely bizarre. He’d
hang up...
MAX
(hangs up phone)
Goddamn fucking halfwit!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 33.
JORDAN (V.O.)
And become Mad Max all over again.
Max curses a blue streak as he stomps back to his chair.
76 SCENE 76 OMITTED 76
Scene 12 - Dwarfs and Debt
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
(MAR ‘92)
Holding a HEADSHOT of the Dwarf from the opening, Jordan
sits talking with Donnie, Robbie and Rugrat.
JORDAN
What if he gets hurt?
ROBBIE *
He’ll be wearing a helmet. Plus
they’ve got, like, superhuman
strength anyway.
DONNIE *
I did hear you're not supposed to *
make direct eye contact. If you *
look at them too long in their *
eyes they get freaked out - their *
wires cross. *
JORDAN *
I think there’s a limit to how far *
we can go... I mean we can throw *
shit at him and - *
DONNIE *
They have a lot of feelings. *
JORDAN *
There’s a specific thing that *
they’ll do - You can throw him at *
a dart board but if you want him *
to show his cock or - *
ROBBIE *
Yes, that’s what this guy does. *
RUGRAT *
That’s his gift. *
ROBBIE *
Can we also bowl with him? *
RUGRAT *
His brother is actually the *
bowler. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 34.
ROBBIE *
They strap a skateboard to him and *
throw him down an alley. *
RUGRAT *
They’re ornery, too, the little
pricks. You gotta be careful.
JORDAN
Get some tranq darts.
DONNIE
A little straitjacket. *
JORDAN *
What’s the liability on something *
like this?
RUGRAT *
That's a whole different thing. I *
can get on the phone with some *
people. I can talk to the *
insurance company and tell them *
exactly what we're going to do. *
But I think we go back to the same *
plan - loophole - if we don't *
really consider them people I *
think we are in the clear. *
DONNIE *
I think we should keep one in the *
office because I think they’re *
good luck. *
JORDAN *
Treat it like the fuckin' thing it *
is. He's coming in. We're paying *
him for something. Treat him with *
respect. And you just shake his *
hand like you don't even think *
anything's wrong. *
DONNIE *
You just look like something else *
is going on. *
RUGRAT *
You don’t look at his eyes. *
DONNIE *
Say “thank you for being here”. *
ROBBIE *
You don’t turn your back on him. *
It’s a sign of disrespect. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 35.
DONNIE *
If you want a cracker or something *
- I’m gonna have some treats in my *
pocket. I want to be in a strip *
club with you guys. Literally pull *
out a brief case and have a little *
fuckin' guy pop out of there. You *
know how much fuckin' pussy you *
get? *
JORDAN *
The point is get it out. *
DONNIE *
Get the jokes out now. Get the *
fuckin’ jokes out now. *
JORDAN *
You’re gonna fuck it up. Purge all *
this shit right now. *
DONNIE *
That’s what I’m saying - *
JORDAN *
When he comes in the room, I want *
him to feel like a human being - *
DONNIE *
Business. Business. It’s fuckin’ *
business, bro. *
JORDAN *
I want him to feel just like a *
normal human being. Cause you know *
- like one of us. One of us. *
DONNIE *
Like he’s an actual human being. *
One of us. *
JORDAN *
Gobble, gobble we accept you, one *
of us! One of us! *
ALL *
One of us. *
Janet pokes her head in. *
JANET
Your dad’s coming. With the
American Express bill.
JORDAN
Can you stop him?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 36.
JANET
Fuck you, you stop him.
The guys straighten up and head to desk, settle in. Max *
blows in past her, waving a 3-inch-thick bill:
MAX
$430,000 dollars in one month!!
Four-hundred-and-thirty-thousand
dollars in one month!!
JORDAN
Hello, Father. *
(Max’s expression
doesn’t budge)
They’re business expenses. Just *
relax. *
The guys titter at “business expenses.”
MAX
If you bastards don't wipe those
smug fucking looks off your faces,
I swear to God I'm gonna wipe ‘em
off for you!
(back to Jordan)
Are you insane?
ROBBIE *
Actually, Max, my portion of the
bill is hardly anything, so I’m on
the same page as you --
MAX
Shut the fuck up, Feinberg, you
only have a portion because of my
son, you worthless twerp!
DONNIE
(chuckles)
Twerp.
MAX
You zip it, too, Azoff, those
boiling teeth of yours are hurting
my fucking eyes!
(turning to Jordan)
My own son! From my very loins!
What do you think this is? *
JORDAN
Will you calm down --
MAX
You don't think there's any end in
sight, do you? It's all one giant
party to you schmendricks!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 37.
MAX (CONT'D)
(holds up AMEX bill)
$26,000 for one dinner!!
JORDAN
Donnie ordered sides.
DONNIE
Yeah, that was... Sorry.
MAX
(glowering)
What is EJ Entertainment? What is
EJ Entertainment?!
JORDAN
(restraining a grin)
You tell me, Dad.
MAX
It’s a goddamn prostitution ring
is what it is!!
Jordan feigns shock, turns to Donnie: did you know it was
a prostitution ring?!
DONNIE
Doesn’t the IRS allow for T&A?
MAX
It’s T&E and stop fucking with me!
What kind of hookers take credit
cards, anyway?!
Jordan takes the bill, starts flipping through it.
JORDAN (V.O.)
In Stratton parlance, there were
three kinds of hookers. There
were blue chips, the top of the
line. Model material. They were
priced between $300 and $500 and
made you wear a condom unless you
gave them a hefty tip, which I
always did.
77A A “BLUE CHIP” HOOKER FLOATS THROUGH, SURROUNDED BY *77A
STRATTON BROKERS. *
JORDAN (V.O.)
Then came NASDAQs, who were
pretty, but not great, usually
in the two to three hundred
dollar range.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 38.
77B A “NASDAQ” HOOKER DANCES THROUGH BULLPEN. STRATTON *77B
BROKERS WATCH. *
JORDAN (V.O.)
Finally there were pink sheets,
skanks, the bottom of the barrel.
77C A “PINK SHEET” HOOKER, COVERED IN TATTOOS, IS ON ALL *77C
FOURS AS SEA OTTER RIDES HER LIKE A PONY. *
JORDAN (V.O.)
They usually cost a hundred or
less, and if you didn't wear a
condom, you'd get a penicillin
shot the next day and pray your
dick didn't fall off.
77D THE ABOVE-MENTIONED “PINK SHEET” HOOKER SITS ON A STOOL, *77D
AS SEA OTTER FUCKS HER. *
JORDAN (V.O.)
Not that we didn’t fuck them, too.
Believe me, we did.
Behind him, the other guys wait their turns. *
77E BACK TO SCENE 77E
Max continues to steam so Jordan ushers Robbie, Rugrat
and Donnie out the door.
JORDAN
Give us a minute, will you, guys?
He closes the door, then stretches a bit, exaggeratedly,
letting out a little moan.
MAX
What’s the matter?
JORDAN
Nothing, just... My back’s been
killing me. Pain shooting down my
leg. Not to worry, it’ll pass.
MAX
What do the doctors say?
JORDAN
Doctors, what do they know? I’m on
like twenty different medications.
(re: the Amex bill)
Look, I know it's hard for you to
make sense of these expenses, but
there's a method here, okay? *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 39.
Max waits to hear it; Jordan gestures to the bullpen *
MAX
And you have to lead by example,
is that it?
(Jordan nods)
I’m tellin’ ya, kid, one of these
days... one of these days the
chickens are gonna come home to *
roost.
JORDAN *
In order to keep these guys *
working, I gotta keep ‘em *
spending. I need to keep them *
chasing the dream. You flash some *
cash, they do the same. It keeps *
them motivated. *
MAX *
Pissing away money? That’s what *
motivates you kids? *
JORDAN *
I could afford to pay them more, *
but then they wouldn't need me as *
much. And as long as they need me *
they'll always fear me. I know it *
sounds crazy. *
MAX *
Crazy? This... is obscene. *
He turns and exits. Jordan watches him go, thinking.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It was obscene -- in the normal
world. But who wanted to live
there?
Scene 13 - Rallying the Brokers
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Massive, with an Olympic-size pool overlooking the beach.
Dozens of luxury cars parked outside. On a balcony,
Jordan is mid-speech, in a bathing suit, addressing the
Strattonites below, Teresa at his side.
JORDAN (O.C.)
-- so enjoy yourselves, you all
deserve a celebration. ‘Cept for
Kimmie, she’s lazy and she steals. *
(off laughter, Kimmie *
flips him the bird;
he blows her a kiss)
But, everybody, keep this in mind.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 40.
JORDAN (O.C.) (CONT'D)
As my friend Donnie Azoff says,
“If you wanna party with the boys,
you gotta wake up with the men.”
Monday morning I want you all
looking razor-sharp. Cuz
Stratton’s got a few things on the
horizon, things that’re gonna take
it right up into the fucking
stratosphere!
The Crowd goes nuts. One Broker lets loose a wolf-howl,
and the crowd toasts Jordan, chanting his name.
CROWD
Jor-dan! Jor-dan! Jor-dan!
As Jordan looks down smiling like a benevolent dictator --
JORDAN (PRE-LAP)
Fuck Merrill Lynch, this way we
become the underwriters.
ROBBIE (PRE-LAP) *
Like an investment bank.
Scene 14 - Desire Amidst Chaos
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
GORGEOUS PEOPLE dance/drink/snort coke. Upstairs, Jordan
plays pool with Sea Otter, Donnie, Robbie, Toby and
Rugrat, assigning ludes with every pocketed ball.
JORDAN
Exactly. We do our own IPO’s and
we will print money.
SEA OTTER
Eat like a bird, shit like an
elephant, baby!
JORDAN
They can take their Harvard asses
under our desks and suck our
cocks.
(to Rugrat)
How soon can you get the paperwork
filed?
RUGRAT
(super-stoned)
Can’t we talk about this Monday?
JORDAN
It’s a simple fucking question.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 41.
RUGRAT
Except I’m looking at three of you
right now.
ROBBIE *
We’ve got Arncliffe National,
they’re looking to go public,
we’ve got --
DONNIE
(very luded)
Oh, oh, Steve... Steve...
JORDAN
What?
DONNIE
...Steve... M-m-madden...
Donnie gesticulates wildly. The guys crack up. WE PUSH
IN ON Donnie, practically drooling, as Jordan gives us a
quick tutorial on ludes...
79A QUAALUDE TUTORIAL *79A
CUT TO: Extreme close up of guys doing drugs. *
JORDAN (V.O.)
The quaalude was first synthesized
in 1951 by an Indian doctor --
that’s dot Indian, not feathers --
as a sedative, and was prescribed
to stressed housewives with sleep
disorders. Pretty soon someone
figured out that if you resisted
the urge to sleep for fifteen
minutes, you got a pretty kick-ass
high from it. Didn’t take long
for people to start abusing ludes,
‘course, and in 1982 the U.S.
Government Schedule One’d them,
along with the rest of the world.
Which meant there was only a
finite amount of these things
left. No shit, you can’t even
find ‘em anymore today. You
people’re all shit outta luck.
79B BACK TO SCENE *79B
JORDAN
(to Donnie)
What’re you saying, buddy?
(to the others)
Shhhh... listen to him...
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 42.
DONNIE
Ssshhhhoes... shhhoooess...
Jordan suspects Donnie may actually be onto something.
But just then...
SEA OTTER
Holy fuck.
Jordan peers over the balcony where Sea Otter’s looking.
NAOMI LAPAGLIA. 22, the hottest blonde ever, has entered
the party with her date BLAIR. She smiles, full lips
parting over perfect white teeth, a ridiculously short
dress barely covering her long tan legs and full breasts.
RUGRAT
My nutsack’s about to explode.
ROBBIE *
Someone’s gotta take that down.
There’s no debate who that someone should be. Eyes
locked on Naomi, Jordan makes his way downstairs.
WITH NAOMI taking in the party, her eyes flitting to
things: art, chandeliers, crystal, etc.
NAOMI (V.O.)
A lotta people would look at me
and think: “golddigger, she’s out
to land the richest husband she
can.” But you see, I came from
nothing. Like, below the poverty
line. And when you come from
nothing, being rich means never
having to go back to that.
Jordan approaches CRISTY, 20s, one of his guests.
CRISTY
Jordan, hey.
(he smiles; Cristy
picks up his intent)
Have you met my friend Naomi?
Jordan takes Naomi’s hand, doesn’t let go.
JORDAN
Naomi.
NAOMI
You have an awesome house. I
don’t think I’ve ever been in a
house like this.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 43.
JORDAN
You like it? I just got it. I
guess it’s okay. Six bedrooms,
two hot-tubs, one off the master
suite overlooking the water. You
like to jet-ski?
Naomi’s date Blair offers his hand to break them apart.
Toby Welch lurks behind him, giving him the evil-eye.
BLAIR
Hi. Blair Hollingsworth.
Jordan barely acknowledges him, focused on Naomi.
Outside, HILDY AZOFF chats with Teresa. Her eyes stray
to Jordan chatting up Naomi. Teresa’s eyes follow hers
and sees them. Ouch. Hildy goes.
JORDAN
You’re telling me you’ve never jet-
ski’ed in your life?!
NAOMI
Never.
BLAIR
Y’know, we really should hit it,
there’s two other parties we’re
s’posed to get to --
JORDAN
What? You just got here. Stay.
Naomi looks like she’d like to. Hildy approaches,
introduces herself, then:
HILDY
Jordan, Teresa needs your help.
JORDAN
With what?
HILDY
I dunno, you’ll have to ask your
wife what she wants.
Jordan sees: Teresa is watching from afar.
DONNIE(O.S.)
Oh sweet Jesus!
Jordan turns to see a drunk Donnie, cock in hand, jerking
off to Naomi. Hildy comes running over.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 44.
HILDY
Donnie! What the fuck are you
doing?!
During the melee that follows -- Hildy admonishing
Donnie, Blair removing Naomi from the party --
JORDAN (V.O.)
The day I met Naomi was the day I
truly became the Wolf. Every guy
wanted her -- so I had to have
her.
-- Jordan watches her go. Naomi shoots a glance back to
him and, like that, he’s hooked.
80 SCENES 80 - 81 OMITTED 80
Scene 15 - Temptation in the City
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
Romantic; elegant. Over a bottle of ‘53 Lafite, Jordan
sits in mid conversation with Naomi, who is stunning in a
low-cut black cocktail dress.
JORDAN
Bay Ridge. That’s near Staten
Island?
NAOMI
Brooklyn, across the Verrazano
Bridge. Guinea gulch. Ever been?
JORDAN
You’re Italian?
NAOMI
My dad’s side. Also Dutch,
German, English -- I’m a mutt.
Actually I have family over there,
in London. My Aunt Emma.
JORDAN
That explains it then.
NAOMI
What?
JORDAN
(smiles)
You’re a Duchess. The Duchess of
Bay Ridge.
Naomi smiles, flags a passing WAITER.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 45.
NAOMI
Could I have a straw please?
The Waiter nods, heads off. A few beats, then:
NAOMI (CONT’D)
So I was a little surprised you
asked Cristy for my number.
JORDAN
How come?
NAOMI
Aren’t you married?
JORDAN
Married people can’t have friends?
Naomi smiles. The Waiter brings the straw. She opens
it, slips it in her red wine glass. Off Jordan’s look:
NAOMI
So I don’t stain my teeth.
And as she sips the wine seductively through the straw...
83 EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT 83
Jordan’s Ferrari makes its way over the bridge, heading
back toward Brooklyn.
NAOMI (O.S.)
--then at night I do my designs.
84 INT. JORDAN’S FERRARI - CONTINUOUS 84
Jordan drives, Naomi next to him.
NAOMI
An entire line of lingerie --
camisoles, bustiers, panties.
Jordan glances over -- her dress is riding up her thigh.
JORDAN (V.O.)
She designs panties?! Jesus
fucking Christ!
Naomi smiles.
JORDAN
Sounds like something I might
invest in. Venture capital.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 46.
NAOMI
Well we should definitely keep in
touch, then.
JORDAN
Absolutely.
He pulls over outside her brownstone.
NAOMI
That’s me.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Think, Jordan, think! How can you
get up to her apartment?!
They look at each other. We can almost hear Jordan’s
heart pounding.
NAOMI
You wanna come up for some tea?
85 INT. NAOMI’S APARTMENT - NIGHT 85
A small, cozy apartment. Naomi enters, Jordan close
behind. She picks up Rocky, her yapping Maltese.
NAOMI
Say hi, Rocky.
Naomi waves Rocky’s paw. Jordan smiles.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
Why don’t you light a fire? I’ll
be right out.
Jordan nods, takes in her scent as she walks away.
JORDAN (V.O.)
God, please help me. How can I
fuck this girl?
As he crouches by the fireplace, his skypager vibrates.
He checks the readout: “Teresa”. His face falls as he
hits the “silent” button, mind racing with guilt.
JORDAN (V.O.)
That’s it, you’re leaving. You’re
going home to your wife.
Jordan stands, turns around -- NAOMI is in the doorway,
naked except for high heels.
JORDAN (V.O.)
As you can probably guess, I
fucked her goddamn brains out.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 47.
86 INT. NAOMI’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 86
Rocky yaps incessantly as Jordan pounds away atop Naomi.
JORDAN (V.O.)
For eleven seconds.
Jordan cums loudly, convulsively.
JORDAN
I’m sorry, I--
NAOMI
Did you cum?
JORDAN
(nods; gasping)
Yeah, but I’m still hard.
Jordan looks down at her.
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Being inside her... was like your
cock went to heaven and God
himself was cupping your balls.
And as they start fucking again...
87 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 87
(JUN ‘92)
Jordan sits at his desk, telephone to his ear.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I couldn’t get enough.
Scene 16 - Beneath the Surface
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 7
CLOSE ON Naomi, who talks on the phone, smiling. We PULL
BACK to see the apartment is packed with flowers.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Every chance we got, we’d sneak
off together...
89 INT. LIMOSINE - NIGHT (AUG ‘92) 89
Giggling like a child, Jordan pours coke from a vial,
creating a little mound atop one of Naomi’s breasts.
JORDAN
Hold still, don’t move.
(to the Driver)
Watch the potholes!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 48.
More giggling, then he snorts the coke off her breast,
burying his face in it as he climbs on top of her. Naomi
laughs uncontrollably as the limo glides to a stop. The
door opens from outside -- the Doorman?
TERESA (O.S.)
Get out of the fucking car.
Jordan looks up, locks eyes with Teresa. He jumps off
Naomi, stumbles out, closing the door behind himself.
90 EXT. JORDAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS 90
JORDAN TERESA
What are you doing home? That whore from the party?
How could you do this to
me?!
The limo takes off. Teresa starts crying...
JORDAN
I thought you were at the beach
house, I--
TERESA
I married you when you had
nothing--
JORDAN
Teresa... I don’t know what to
say.
TERESA
You’re like a totally different
person.
JORDAN
I’m not. I’m sorry. I made a
mistake, okay?
TERESA
Tell me you don’t love her.
JORDAN
I...
TERESA
(off his silence)
Jordan?
Jordan says nothing. Finally, Teresa starts sobbing.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I felt horrible.
Jordan holds her, letting her cry.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 49.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Three days later I filed for
divorce and moved Naomi into the
apartment.
91 INT. JORDAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - DINING ROOM - DUSK 91
(SEP ‘92)
Completely remodelled, all new furniture. Jordan and
Naomi sit at the table, set for a candle-light dinner.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Say what you will, but the Duchess
did have style. She brought in a
decorator, feng shui’d the place--
she even hired a gay butler.
NICHOLAS THE BUTLER, 40s, enters with hot towels on a
silver tray.
JORDAN
Thank you, Nicholas.
Jordan takes a towel, wipes his face. Naomi smiles.
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
He was smart, sophisticated,
really great. Except for that
one time...
92 SCENES 92 - 94 OMITTED * 92
95 INT. JORDAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT * 95
A GAY ORGY is in progress, a dozen naked MEN, including
Nicholas, in various sexual positions about the room.
NAOMI
Omigod!
96 INT. JORDAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 96
Jordan sits across from a very shaken Naomi.
NAOMI
He must have thought I was at my
mother’s.
JORDAN
Where were they? In the bedroom?
NAOMI
They were right here!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 50.
A beat, then Jordan realizes. He jumps off the couch
like it’s on fire.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
It gets worse. After I chased
them out, I checked the apartment.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The motherfucker stole fifty grand
in cash and jewelry.
Scene 17 - Betrayal in the City
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
(OCT ‘92)
With Nicholas seated in a chair, Jordan sits across from
him. Pacing behind him is Donnie, coked-up, face
contorted, frothing with rage. Nearby, giant Chester
Ming sits quietly, saying nothing.
JORDAN
I just want my stuff back, okay?
NICHOLAS THE BUTLER
I didn’t take anything.
DONNIE
(in his face)
I should kill you, cocksucker!
You do not fuck with this man!
Jordan holds Donnie off. Turns back to Nicholas.
JORDAN
You were high, things got out of
control, I get it. Believe me I
do, I have a Phd in debauchery.
NICHOLAS THE BUTLER
I didn’t do it.
DONNIE
I’ll knock your fuckin’ teeth out,
motherfucker!
JORDAN
Just give me the money, give me
the jewelry, and we’ll forget the
whole thing.
NICHOLAS THE BUTLER
It’s because I’m gay, isn’t it?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 51.
JORDAN
Nicholas. You could fuck a baby
sheep as far as I care, on my
brand new fucking sofa. What I
won’t stand for is being robbed.
NICHOLAS THE BUTLER
I’m telling you the truth.
JORDAN
I’ll ask you one last time.
DONNIE
You’re dead, you piece of shit!
NICHOLAS THE BUTLER
Jordan, please.
JORDAN
Fine.
Jordan nods to Chester. Without a word, he crosses to
Nicholas and BAMMM!! Nicholas’s nose splits open like a
ripe plum, blood spurting everywhere. Tough-guy Donnie
takes one look, then SPEWS vomit into a garbage pail.
And as Chester pummels Nicholas’s face into chopped
meat...
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
It’s amazing the kind of loyalty
money will buy. I mean Chester
almost killed this prick.
Chester starts to hang Nicholas over the balcony by his
legs. Jordan stops him.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I finally called the cops, mainly
to save Nicholas’s life.
98 INT. JORDAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - FOYER - DAY 98
With the bloodied Nicholas in the background, Jordan
talks to two NYPD COPS, handing them each a wad of cash.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I gave them each a thousand bucks
and told them what Nicholas had
done. Then they kicked his ass.
As the Cops swat Nicholas with their nightsticks:
COP #1 COP #2
Fuckin’ thief, huh? Piece of shit.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 52.
And as they hustle Nicholas out...
JORDAN (V.O.)
Loyalty, like I said. Which was
the key component to my incredible
fucking success.
98A EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAY (OCT ‘92) 98A
As Jordan golfs with Donnie, Chester, Robbie, Toby and *
some hookers, Brad pulls up in a golf cart with a cash- *
filled gym bag.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Besides Brad, I had eight other
‘ratholes’, close friends who’d
own stock on paper, but kick the
profits back to me after I drove
the price through the roof.
They hug, then Jordan adds the gym bag to several others
on the back of his golf cart. Donnie tries to befriend
Brad; Brad isn’t interested.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The SEC knew I was doing something
shady, but they couldn’t figure
out what the fuck it was.
99 SCENES 99 - 100 OMITTED 99
Scene 18 - Chaos in the Bullpen
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Jordan, Max and securities lawyer MANNY RISKIN exit the
kitchen with coffees.
MANNY RISKIN
I’m telling you -- piss on the
SEC’s leg, you’ll end up with your
tits in a ringer.
FREEZE FRAME - Manny stuffs a cruller into his mouth.
JORDAN (V.O.)
My securities attorney, Manny
Riskin. Seven hundred an hour to *
be the voice of doom.
BACK TO SCENE
JORDAN
It’s under control. Will you
relax already?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 53.
Just then, Max spots a BROKER break-dancing as three
other Brokers look on...
MAX
What the fuck is this imbecile
doing?!
Max crosses off, starts screaming at the break-dancing
Broker. Jordan keeps walking with Manny.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The SEC sent two lawyers down to
review our files, so I set them
up in our conference room.
Jordan passes the conference room, looks in the window--
two SEC ATTORNEYS wear coats as they review documents.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Then I had it bugged and the air
conditioning locked till it felt
like Antarctica in there.
One of the SEC Attorneys blows into his hands for warmth.
Manny follows Jordan toward the bullpen, his frenzied
Brokers working the phones.
JORDAN (V.O.)
So here they were, looking for a
smoking gun while I was firing a
bazooka right under their noses.
It was our first IPO, and we were
driving the stock price to the
fucking moon.
BROKER #1
Arncliffe National, it’s on fire!
BROKER #2
(voice lowered)
Believe me, your grandkids will
thank you.
BROKER #3
(to Sales Assistant)
Arncliffe National, ten thousand
shares!
Jordan speaks directly to camera as he continues walking
through the bullpen.
JORDAN
See an IPO is an initial public
offering, the first time a stock
is offered for sale to the general
population.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 54.
JORDAN (CONT'D)
As the firm taking the company
public, we set the initial price,
then sold those shares back to -- *
(stops; then)
You know what, you’re probably not *
following what I’m saying. The *
question is, “was it legal?” *
Absolutely not. But we were making *
more money that we knew what to do *
with. *
102 SCENE 102 OMITTED 102
102A EXT. BANK - DAY - ESTABLISHING (OCT ‘92) 102A
*
103 INT. BANK - SAFE DEPOSIT VAULT - DAY (OCT ‘92) 103
Alone in a private room, Jordan unloads a small suitcase
filled with stacks and stacks of hundred dollar bills.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But I figured it out. *
CLOSE ON - a huge diamond engagement ring.
NAOMI (O.C.)
Omigod!!
104 INT. FOUR SEASONS RESTAURANT - NIGHT (OCT ‘92) 104
Jordan is down on one knee, proposing; Naomi
hyperventilates as he puts the ring on her finger -- a
seven carat, yellow canary diamond in a platinum setting.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I held my bachelor party at the
Tangiers in Las Vegas -- one last *
blowout for the Gods before I
settled down for good.
105 SCENE 105 OMITTED 105
106 INT. TRANS CAPITAL AIRLINES - JUMBO JET - NIGHT *106
Inside a jumbo jet, a wild, mid-air party is in progress.
JORDAN (V.O.)
A hundred Strattonites flew in
with fifty hookers and enough
drugs to open a pharmacy.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 55.
Various images -- Stratton Brokers drink, do coke, a half-
dozen in mid-orgy with Hookers, naked in the aisle as
others pour champagne on them.
JORDAN (V.O.)
All told, the weekend cost me
almost two million dollars--
107 PERIOD VEGAS ADS *107
108 INT. TANGIERS - PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - DAY *108
The Tangiers Presidential Suite is a shambles on the *
level of Hiroshima. A giant crystal chandelier lays
shattered on the floor; Jordan asleep in the massive bed,
a Blue Chip Hooker on either side of him; other passed-
out BODIES lay amid debris and broken, toppled furniture.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But the wedding was like something
out of a fairy tale--
109 EXT. OCEAN CLUB - BAHAMAS - SUNSET (DEC ‘92) 109
Gorgeous; tropical. Hundreds of FAMILY and FRIENDS
(Janet, Toby Welch, Peter DeBlasio and Kimmie Belzer)
look on as Jordan and Naomi walk up the aisle.
JORDAN (V.O.)
--with Naomi my Duchess, me her
handsome Duke and The Bahamas
Ocean Club our castle.
110 INT. OCEAN CLUB - BAHAMAS - BALLROOM - NIGHT 110
Jordan and Naomi waltz, their Guests joining in.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Of course after that bachelor
party, the Duke needed a few
penicillin shots so he could
safely consummate the marriage.
Scene 19 - Waves of Celebration and Conflict
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
As Jordan and Naomi mingle with a few Strattonites,
videographer BARRY KLEINMAN, 40s, approaches Rugrat and
his DATE, ABBY with a video camera:
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 56.
BARRY KLEINMAN
I’m Barry Kleinman, filming the
wedding -- would you like to say
something to Jordan and Naomi?
RUGRAT / ABBY
Good luck! We love you!
Across the way, Naomi spots someone through the crowd--
NAOMI
Omigod! Aunt Emma!
Naomi rushes over, hugs her AUNT EMMA, 50s, demure,
British. Naomi turns, calls out to Jordan, who is now in
a huddle with the guys, his back to her.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
Jordan! Look!
Jordan turns, then crosses to them, smiling.
AUNT EMMA
Jordan dear, how lovely.
JORDAN
It’s so nice to see you again.
As he leans in to hug her, Aunt Emma spots some white
powder on the edge of Jordan’s nostril. Deftly, she
wipes it off, smiling.
AUNT EMMA
Into the donuts, I see.
JORDAN
Oh, I’m--- uh...
Aunt Emma leans in to his ear.
AUNT EMMA
I lived through the 60s, my dear.
Enjoy the day.
And with that, she turns back to Naomi.
112 EXT. BAHAMAS - MARINA - DAY (DEC ‘92) 112
With Naomi wearing a blindfold, Jordan leads her to the
end of a long dock, expensive yachts moored everywhere.
JORDAN
Careful now. You ready?
Jordan removes her blindfold -- there, towering above the
others, is a stunning, 120 foot yacht.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 57.
NAOMI
What is this?
JORDAN
Your wedding present. Check out
the name.
She does; it’s called “Naomi”. As she squeals, hugs him-
JORDAN (V.O.)
For three weeks we sailed the
Naomi through the Caribbean--
113 INT. YACHT NAOMI - DAY (DEC ‘92) 113
The camera PUSHES IN past a white-jacketed STEWARD,
who opens the door to the yacht’s main salon; next we see
the living room, with its full bar and leather couches;
then the bedroom, with a king bed and monogrammed sheets.
JORDAN (V.O.)
--eventually taking her home to
Long Island, where we’d bought a
house.
114 EXT. CARIBBEAN - OPEN OCEAN - DAY (DEC ‘92 - JAN ‘93) 114
The Naomi sails the calm waters, Jordan and Naomi popping
ludes, sunbathing blissfully on the deck.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Seven acres on the Gold Coast of
Long Island--
115-115K EXT./INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - DAY (APR ‘93) 115-115K
Various shots -- the massive house; the glistening pool;
waterfall; fountains; tennis court; driving range;
gazebo; gym; sauna; library; media room.
JORDAN (V.O.)
--the most expensive real estate
in the world, with maids, cooks,
landscapers, you name it.
115L WE SEE the household STAFF lined up outside the house. 115L
JORDAN (V.O.)
We even had two guards who worked
in shifts, both named Rocco.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 58.
116 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - MASTER BEDROOM - DAY (FEB ‘95) 116
Amid billowing piles of white Chinese silk, Jordan sleeps
on his back, snoring blissfully.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It was heaven on earth.
On screen WE SEE:
18 MONTHS LATER
Splash! A glass of water hits him in the face.
NAOMI
Wake up, you bag of shit!
Soaking wet, Jordan sits upright to see Naomi standing
over him in a tiny pink chemise, holding an empty glass.
JORDAN
The fuck are you doing?!
NAOMI
Who’s Venice?
JORDAN
What?!
NAOMI
Who is she?! Some little hooker
you fucked last night?
JORDAN
What? No! Naomi!
And as Naomi storms off for a re-fill...
117 INT. HOTEL ROOM - THE NIGHT BEFORE (FEB ‘95) 117
Jordan lies on the ground, hands tied with a lit candle *
up his ass. *
JORDAN *
Venice, where are you? *
VENICE, A Blue Chip Hooker, enters, pulls out a candle *
and straddles him. She drips wax on his back and pulls *
his hair. *
Scene 20 - Confrontation of Betrayal
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
Back to scene. Naomi holds another full glass, rocking
back and forth on the balls of her feet like a fighter.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 59.
NAOMI
You were calling her name in your
sleep!
JORDAN
I can explain everything.
NAOMI
Go ahead. More lies from the man
who lies for a living!
JORDAN
No, really. Donnie and me, we’re
investing in a condo development
in Venice.
NAOMI
Italy?!
JORDAN
California, baby.
NAOMI
Yeah, right.
JORDAN
Duchess, come on.
NAOMI
Don’t ‘Duchess’ me, you scumbag.
You think I don’t know what you’re
up to? You’re a father now and
you act like an infant!
Splash! She nails him again, crosses for more water.
JORDAN
Fuck. Naomi! Why are you so mad?
NAOMI
Where do you want me to start?
How about you flying in here on
your stupid helicopter at three in
the morning waking up Skylar?!
119 EXT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - YARD - NIGHT (FEB ‘95) 119
Jordan crash-lands the helicopter on the driving range. *
He exits, gives Captain Dave a salute, fights his way *
through the bushes, then stumbles toward the house and *
falls into the pool, stoned out of his skull. Security *
floodlights come on and the alarm sounds. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 60.
NAOMI (O.S.)
Does it even matter to you that I
just had that driving range sodded
with Bermuda grass?
120 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - MASTER BEDROOM - DAY (FEB ‘95) 120
Back to scene. Naomi holds another glass of water.
NAOMI
But why should you give a shit?
You're not the one who researched
the fucking thing and dealt with
the fucking golf course people!
JORDAN
You’re an aspiring landscape
architect?! But what happened to
wine connoisseur? Oh wait, that
was last month!
NAOMI
Fuck you!
Naomi winds up with the water glass. Jordan stands tall,
puffs himself up, arms flexed at his sides.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
Stop flexing your arms, you look
like a fucking imbecile.
(re: his crotch)
And don’t think that impresses me
much.
Jordan looks down: he has a morning erection.
JORDAN
I wasn't flexing my arms. You're
just lucky to have a husband who's
in such great shape. Now get over
here and kiss me!
NAOMI
Kiss you?!
Splash! She nails him one last time, then storms out.
He stands there dripping wet. To his erection:
JORDAN
Where the fuck were you last
night?
JORDAN (V.O.)
My morning ritual. First I’d get
up and fight with Naomi about
whatever I did the night before.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 61.
120A INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - STEAM SHOWER - DAY 120A
Jordan stands in the steaming shower.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Next it was a steam so I could
sweat out whatever drugs were
still in my system.
120B INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - MASTER BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS 120B
Jordan looks at himself in the mirror. His eyes are
bloodshot - he looks like shit.
JORDAN (V.O.)
After that I’d assess the damage.
Jordan looks at a Visine bottle - “Recommended Dosage -
Two Drops”. He squirts six drops in each eye.
JORDAN (V.O.)
What kind of maniac abuses eye
drops?
121 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - DRESSING ROOM - DAY (FEB ‘95) 121
Fully dressed and standing amid hundreds of suits, Jordan
pops two white pills, swigs some juice.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Then I’d get dressed, take my
“back pills” to get me started,
then attempt to make up with her.
Scene 21 - Seduction and Surveillance
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
Jordan enters the tiny pink wonderland. On the fluffy
pink carpet is Naomi, now in a minidress hiked above her
hips, Manolo Blahniks showing polished red toes. Between
her legs sits SKYLAR, their 5-month-old daughter.
JORDAN
Hey, Skylar.
NAOMI
(little girl voice)
Good morning Daddy. Where’s my
kiss?
Jordan kisses the baby, picks her up.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 62.
JORDAN
(playing along)
Does Daddy get to kiss both his
girls?
NAOMI
Ohhh, no! Daddy doesn't even get
to touch Mommy for a very, very
long time.
Naomi lays back on her elbows, thighs parted - she’s
wearing no panties. The wind goes out of Jordan.
JORDAN
C’mon, Nay, please. You know how
sorry I am. I swear I--
NAOMI
(cutting him off)
Daddy shouldn’t waste his time.
And from now on it's going to be
nothing but short, short skirts
around the house! And Mommy’s
so sick and tired of wearing
panties, uhhh. In fact she’s
decided to throw them all away.
(parting her thighs)
So take a good look. You’ll be
seeing an awful lot of it around
the house, but no touching.
She licks her lips seductively. Jordan sets Skylar
aside, starts grovelling.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
What’s wrong, Daddy?
Naomi slips her index finger in her mouth, starts sucking
it. Jordan can barely speak.
JORDAN
C’mon, why are you doing this?
I said I’m sorry.
NAOMI
(pouting)
Ohhhh poor, poor Dada. He loves to
say how wrong he is when he’s
ready to come in his own pants.
Isn’t that right Dada? Mommy loves
Daddy so, so much and there’s
nothing she wants to do more right
now than to make love to Daddy all
day long. Well, I guess it’s time
for Daddy to be taught his first
lesson.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 63.
Naomi runs her fingers over her stomach and on to her
inner thigh, then up toward her vagina. Jordan watches
transfixed, then a change comes over him...
JORDAN
I wouldn’t do that if I were you
Mommy. I think Mommy should hear a
story before she decides to please
herself like that.
Can Daddy tell Mommy a story?
(off her nod)
And does mommy promise to keep her
legs spread wide, wide open the
whole time?
(she nods dreamily)
Good. Once upon a time there was
a great big mansion in Long Island
and the people who lived there had
lots and lots of money. But of
all the possessions they had,
there was one thing that was much
more valuable than all the rest
combined, and that was their
little baby daughter.
Naomi listens, legs still spread, hand on her crotch.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Now because he was very security-
conscious, the Daddy hired two
full-time guards, big hairy men
both named Rocco, and they
installed security cameras all
around the house. And one of
those cameras is right over
Daddy's shoulder.
Naomi’s eyes widen -- she look toward a Teddy Bear on a
shelf. WE SEE that one of the eyes is a pinhole camera.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
So smile, Mommy! You're on Candid
Camera!
123 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - GUARD HOUSE - DAY (FEB ‘95) 123
Mesmerized, ROCCO DAY watches a video screen, on which we
see a grainy image of Naomi, hand between her legs.
124 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - SKYLAR’S BEDROOM - DAY (FEB ‘95) 124
Naomi jumps up as if she’s been electrocuted.
NAOMI
You asshole!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 64.
As she bolts from the room, Jordan plays with Skylar...
JORDAN (V.O.)
The good thing about living with
a world-class ballbreaker is they
make all the other ballbreakers in
your life a little easier to take.
125 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - OUTSIDE JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 125
(FEB ‘95)
Donnie stands talking with Jordan’s assistant, Janet.
Jordan approaches under a head of steam.
DONNIE
There he is.
JORDAN
(a quick hug; then)
Steve here yet?
DONNIE
On his way. Very excited.
JORDAN
Good. Cuz we have a problem.
He indicates out to the Bullpen. Donnie and Janet look.
JANET
(incredulous)
Is he wearing a bow tie?
In the Bullpen WE SEE a young Stratton Broker in a bowtie
cleaning a small goldfish bowl on his desk.
JORDAN
He’s got nothing better to do on
the day of the biggest IPO in this
firm’s history?!
Jordan watches as Donnie marches toward the Broker in a
bowtie...
Scene 22 - A Fishy Display of Dominance
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
DONNIE
The fuck you doing?
BROKER IN A BOWTIE
(bewildered)
Cleaning my fishbowl.
DONNIE
Oh.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 65.
Donnie nods, turns to go, but suddenly he turns back and
thrusts his arm in the bowl, grabbing for the squirming
goldfish. The Broker in a bowtie looks on, horrified.
DONNIE(CONT’D)
On new issue day?! On
cocksucking, motherfucking
new issue day?!
Dozen of Brokers and Sales Assistants look over as Donnie
snatches up the fish. Holding it by its tail, he jumps *
up on the desk of the Broker in a bowtie. Now the entire
Bullpen looks over.
DONNIE(CONT’D)
This is what happens when you fuck
with your pets on new issue day!
With the flair of a showman, Donnie pops the fish in his
mouth, swallowing it whole. The Brokers cheer wildly.
Donnie jumps down, gets in the face of the Broker in a
bowtie:
DONNIE(CONT’D)
Now take your bowtie, get your
shit and get the fuck out!
Bowtie is stunned. And as Donnie storms off, we PUSH IN
on Jordan, watching from across the room.
127 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 127
(FEB ‘95)
Jordan finishes a phone call as Donnie enters with STEVE
MADDEN, 30s, dressed in wrinkled navy blazer, cargo pants
and T-shirt, a baseball cap over his scraggly, thinning
hair. Jordan smiles, crosses to greet him.
JORDAN
The Cobbler. Ready to get rich?
STEVE MADDEN
Hey buddy.
And as they ad lib greetings, settle in at the couch:
JORDAN (V.O.)
Steve Madden, the shoe designer,
was a childhood friend of
Donnie’s, but I didn’t hold that
against him. Remember those ads,
those giant-headed girls with bug
eyes wearing those big clunky
shoes?
127A INSERT - a quick series of Steve Madden ads. 127A
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 66.
JORDAN (V.O.)
He came to me a few years earlier
when he was just starting out, so
I became a silent partner in his
company, buying an 85% stake for
only a million bucks.
128 INT. STEVE MADDEN SHOES - DAY 128
WE SEE various stores, all packed with teenage GIRLS
buying shoes and boots.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The company blew up and we were
now taking it public. It was the
biggest deal we’d ever done and
the hottest IPO on Wall Street.
129 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 129
(FEB ‘95)
Jordan and Donnie sit with Steve Madden in mid-
conversation.
DONNIE
--which is why they need to meet
you.
JORDAN
You gotta get ‘em fired up so
they’ll push the shit out of this
stock.
DONNIE
Let them feel your passion.
Scene 23 - From Heckling to Hustle: The Madden Stock Rally
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 9
Bustling with activity. With Jordan and Donnie looking
on from nearby, Steve Madden approaches a microphone on
the raised platform, in his hands several shoe boxes.
STEVE MADDEN
(into mic)
Uhhh... excuse me...
The place slowly comes to order.
STEVE MADDEN (CONT’D)
For those of you who don't know
me, my name is Steve Madden. I'm --
ONE BROKER
We know who you are!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 67.
Steve clears his throat, looks over at Jordan -- he’s
terrified. Jordan motions for him to calm down.
STEVE MADDEN
I uh, I'd like to start by telling
you about my background in the
shoe industry.
ANOTHER BROKER
Nice fucking hat!
STEVE MADDEN
I uh... first started working in
the shoe industry, in a shoe
store. When I was sixteen, my
friends were out chasing girls,
but I was learning about women's
shoes.
KALIL PETER DEBLASIO
Move the mike closer. We can’t fucking hear you! *
He moves the mic; feedback SCREECHES through the bullpen.
STEVE MADDEN (CONT’D)
Sorry... Anyway, my first job
was at a shoe store like I said
where I worked in the stockroom.
You know, I can honestly say I’ve
been a lover of women's shoes
since I was twelve--
BROKER #4
Freak!
STEVE MADDEN
No. Heh-heh. Not like that.
I mean somehow I became fascinated
with the endless design
possibilities for women's shoes--
BROKER #5 BROKER #6
Queer! Get a fucking life!
Boos, hisses. Steve looks at Jordan, who motions for him
to speed up. He grabs a shoe from one of the boxes.
STEVE MADDEN (CONT’D)
This shoe -- the Mary Lou -- is
the one that really put me on the
map. It’s a black patent leather
variation of the Mary Jane, but--
SPLAT! A half-eaten grapefruit lands at Steve’s feet.
In a flash, Jordan rushes over, grabs the mic--
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 68.
JORDAN
All right, let's hear it for Steve
Madden and the wonderful Mary Lou!
Huge applause, with stomping feet; howling, etc.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Okay, now that you got that out
of your system, I want you to know
why Steve is so completely off the
fucking wall... It’s because this
man is a creative genius. Steve's
power, his gift -- is that he
creates trends. Artists like
Steve come along once a century!
Elvis! Andy Warhol! Giorgio
Armani! Who knows how high this
stock could go? The 20s? The
50s? The 80s?
Applause; war whoops. Jordan motions for quiet.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
I want everybody to look down.
See that little black box in front
of you? It's called a telephone.
Now I'm gonna let you in on a
little secret about this
telephone -- it won't dial itself!
That’s right -- until you take
some action, it's nothing more
than a worthless hunk of plastic,
like a loaded M16 without a
trained Marine to pull the
trigger. And in the case of the
telephone, it's the action of you,
a highly trained Strattonite, a
killer who will not take no for an
answer! A person who will not
hang up the phone until his client
either buys or fucking dies!
The Brokers go crazy. Jordan looks around.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
I don't care if you graduated from
Harvard or Bumfuck University or
never got past fourth fucking
grade! That phone is the great
equalizer!
(pause; looks around)
There is no nobility in poverty.
I've been rich, and I've been poor
and I choose rich every time.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 69.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
At least as a rich man, when I
have to face my problems, I show
up in the back of a limo wearing a
$2000 suit and $40,000 gold watch!
Jordan takes off his GOLD WATCH, flings it to the Crowd.
Brokers go nuts, fighting over it like a home-run ball.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
And if anyone here thinks I'm
crazy, get the fuck out and get a
job at McDonald’s, because that's
where you fucking belong! But
before you depart this room full
of winners, I want you to take a
good look at the person next to
you, because one day in the not-so-
distant future, you'll be sitting
at a red light in your beat-up old
Pinto, and that person’s gonna
pull up in a brand new Porsche,
with their gorgeous young wife at
their side. And who will you be
next to? Some ugly beast with
three days of razor-stubble in a
sleeveless moo-moo, crammed in
next to you with a carload of
groceries from the fucking Price
Club!
He scans the Brokers; they’re on the edge of their seats.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
So you listen to me and listen
carefully. Are you behind on your
credit card bills? Good. Pick up
the phone and start dialing. Is
your landlord threatening to evict
you? Good. Pick up the phone and
start dialing. Does your
girlfriend think you're a fucking
loser? Pick up the phone and
start fucking dialing! I want
you to deal with your problems by
becoming rich! I want you to go
out and spend money! Leverage
yourself, back yourself into a
corner, let the consequences of
failure become so fucking
unthinkable that you'll have no
choice but to do whatever it takes
to win!
The Brokers go absolutely APESHIT.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 70.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
You have an obligation here,
people! To your clients! To this
firm! An obligation to yourself,
godammit! You ram Steve Madden
stock down your clients’ throats
and make them choke on it till
they buy 20,000 shares! Be
aggressive! Be ferocious! Be
telephone fucking terrorists!!
Before Jordan is even finished, the Brokers GO BERSERK,
some already dialing their phones.
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
At 1 p.m. we opened the stock for
sale at $4.50 a share. By 1:03
it was over eighteen dollars.
Scene 24 - High Stakes and Legal Shadows
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
Agent Denham exits the elevator, arriving for work. He
strides between cubicles, briefcase in hand. He enters --
130B INT. AGENT DENHAM’S OFFICE - DAY 130B
-- where pinned up on one wall is a massive chart on
Stratton’s operations: pictures of Jordan, Donnie and
others, a hierarchy, a history, an investigation...
131 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - LATER (FEB ‘95) 131
Total sales frenzy. The CAMERA PANS the 300 Brokers, who
work the phones like mad.
SEA OTTER YOUNG BROKER
--the hottest new issue on --up two dollars while I’m
Wall Street! talking to you!
And as we continue PANNING the room...
JORDAN (V.O.)
Of course I couldn’t have done
this without help. I’d leaked the
word on Wall Street that Stratton
was a buyer up until twenty. So
not only were we pushing Madden,
all the big firms were too.
We continue PANNING the frenzied Brokers...
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 71.
JORDAN (V.O.)
As long as they knew I’d buy the
shares back at the top of the
market, they’d drive the price
up as high as I fucking wanted.
132 SCENES 132 - 133 OMITTED 132
134 INT. JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY (FEB ‘95) 134
Donnie pours champagne nearby, oblivious to Jordan, who
sits at his desk, speaking directly to camera:
JORDAN
Of the two million shares being
offered for sale, a million
belonged to me, held in phony
accounts by my ratholes. Once the
price hit the high teens, I--
Jordan abruptly stops. A beat, then:
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Like I said before, who gives a
shit? As always, the point is
this--
BACK TO SCENE -- Donnie hands Jordan a glass of Dom.
DONNIE
22 million in three fucking hours!
They toast, then each pop ludes, which they wash down
with champagne. A quick knock; Janet pops her head in.
JORDAN
Janet, baby. Drink.
JANET
Call for you. Barry Kleinman from
Future Video?
JORDAN
Who?
JANET
He filmed your wedding. He says
it’s urgent.
Curious, Jordan leans over, hits the speaker phone:
JORDAN
Barry?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 72.
135 INT. FUTURE VIDEO - DAY (FEB ‘95) 135
Barry Kleinman sits at his desk, talking on the phone.
BARRY KLEINMAN
Jordan, hey. Listen, I got a
subpoena. The FBI wants a copy
of your wedding video.
On Jordan. Uh-oh.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The F-B-fucking-I?
135A INT. FIRING RANGE - DAY 135A
Wearing goggles and protective headphones, square-jawed
FBI Agent Patrick Denham takes target practice.
BO DIETL (V.O.)
Name’s Denham, he’s an agent in
the New York office.
JORDAN (V.O.)
What’s his problem?
BO DIETL (V.O.)
He’s a boy scout, thinks you’re
Gordon Gekko.
135B EXT. RAO’S - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING (MAR ‘95) 135B
*
136 INT. RAO’S RESTAURANT - NIGHT (MAR ‘95) 136
The East Harlem institution. Jordan sits across a table
over pasta with private investigator BO DIETL, 40s.
JORDAN
But my goddamn wedding video?
BO DIETL
Got your whole inner circle in one
place, faces and names. He’s
hoping it rattles you, or maybe
your wife, so that she starts
nagging you to turn witness.
JORDAN
(that’s laughable)
What? He wants me to rat on
myself?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 73.
BO DIETL
(shrugs)
Good news is I made some calls,
DEA, Justice? No one but him even
knows who you are.
JORDAN
Can you bug him or something, tap
his phone?
BO DIETL
Jordan, relax. First off, you
don’t fuck with these guys, not
that way. Secondly, I got a P.I.
license, you know?
JORDAN
Maybe I should call him, see what
he wants.
BO DIETL
No! Anybody does that should be
your lawyer. What you do is eat
your dinner, drink your drink, and
forget about it. Cuz as far as I
hear he doesn’t have shit.
Jordan nods, wheels turning, pretending to do as told.
136A SCENE 136A OMITTED 136A
*
Scene 25 - The Yacht Encounter
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 9
As Agent Denham steps into frame, another FED, AGENT *
HUGHES, beside him, both G-man stoic in impenetrably dark *
glasses --
JORDAN (O.S.)
Patrick? Hey! C’mon aboard!
They look up. On the yacht Naomi, Jordan stands waving,
drinking wine with two Blue Chip HOOKERS in bikinis.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Plank’s right down there.
Denham shares a look with his cohort: it’s almost a joke,
this display of wealth before a federal agent. Moments
later, they step aboard.
AGENT DENHAM
Mr. Belfort, I’m Agent Denham.
This is Agent Hughes.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 74.
JORDAN
Heya! This is Nicole and,
um...Heidi. Girls, Patrick and...?
AGENT DENHAM
Agents Denham and Hughes. Your
message said you wanted to speak
privately.
JORDAN
It did. I do.
(off Denham’s stare)
Oh, they’re just friends.
(to the girls)
Give us a minute, okay?
The Hookers head below deck. Jordan shoots Denham a wink--
check out that ass!
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Can I get a glass? Got wine open
or any kinda booze. Shrimp and
lobster’re over there if you’re
hungry.
AGENT DENHAM
Bureau forbids us from drinking at
sea.
Jordan surprised: the guy has a sense of humor.
JORDAN
I have something for you, I just
gotta find it. Have a seat, will
ya? Ever been on one of these
before?
As Jordan rifles through some papers, Denham’s eyes scan
the deck, casually cataloguing everything.
AGENT DENHAM
A boat? Learned to sail when I was
six.
JORDAN
I mean, one like this. Just had
her extended to put a chopper on
the back.
Jordan points out the Bell-Jet helicopter.
AGENT DENHAM
Never been on a boat with a second
mode of transportation on top of
it.
Jordan finds the file he’s been looking for, offers it.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 75.
AGENT DENHAM (CONT’D)
(before he’ll accept)
What is this?
JORDAN
Names and addresses of every guest
at my wedding. Friends, clients. I
even threw in the seating chart.
Heard that’s why you wanted the
video, figured this’d expedite
whatever it is you’re doing.
(Denham looks: it’s
indeed a guest list
from the wedding)
I wanted to show you I’ve got
nothing to hide. I know you’re
investigating Stratton but for the
life of me I can’t figure out why.
Sure, my company is unorthodox;
what brokerage isn’t? Maybe we’re
a little louder than most but we
don’t do anything illegal. Talk to
the SEC, they’ll tell you, they
checked us out up and down.
AGENT DENHAM
The SEC’s actually a civil
regulatory agency. We pursue
criminal activity.
JORDAN
That’s what I’m saying. You guys
take on real crime. Which is why
I’m so curious: what do you think
we did?
The reason Jordan asked him here, Denham realizes.
AGENT DENHAM
I can’t discuss ongoing
investigations.
JORDAN
I understand.
AGENT DENHAM
Though, to be frank, this case
kinda got dumped on my desk. Some
higher-up felt your shop needed
looking into after all that press,
fell on me to do the looking.
JORDAN
You know who you should be looking
at? Goldman, Lehman Brothers,
Merrill.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 76.
JORDAN (CONT'D)
What those guys’re up to with
collateralized debt obligations?
This internet stock bullshit?
C’mon. If you want, I’ll walk you
through exactly --
AGENT DENHAM
-- that’d be great. And if there’s
anything you can give me just to
close out your file, get it off my
desk--
JORDAN
-- sure, get you back to the real
criminals --
AGENT DENHAM
-- then we could both profit from
this little sit-down.
Jordan sizes him up: what did Denham mean by “profit”?
JORDAN
You sure you don’t want anything
to drink? Water for your pal?
(Denham demurs)
Rumor is your started out in
finance. Even got your broker’s
license before you joined the
bureau.
AGENT DENHAM
Who told you that?
JORDAN
(searches his memory)
Jeez, who was it...?
(comes up short)
Ever regret it? Giving up the
money-crazed, pin-striped life?
Ever think where you’d be if you’d
stuck with it?
AGENT DENHAM
When I’m riding the subway home,
sweating my balls off, in a suit
I’ve worn three days, sure.
JORDAN
Whattaya pull in working at the
bureau, if you don’t mind me
asking. 50-60K a year?
AGENT DENHAM
Just about. We get a free handgun
out of it, though, that doesn’t
suck.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 77.
JORDAN
S’crazy, the world we live in, the
jobs with real value, the ones we
should appreciate -- firefighters,
teachers, FBI agents -- those are
the ones we pay the least.
AGENT DENHAM
Way of the world.
JORDAN
That’s one thing I like about what
I do, the opportunity to make that
right. Take this kid we had
interning last year. Didn’t want
to be a broker, wanted to be an
environmental scientist or
something, he had a student loan
debts up to his eyeballs. Anyway,
his mom gets sick, all they can
afford is third-rate care. Some of
us got together, made an
investment on his behalf and --
boom -- overnight everything
changes, she’s seeing the best
doctors in the country. Sadly,
didn’t work out, she passed but
still: having the power to do that
makes all the other bullshit worth
while.
(as Denham considers
that)
See, it’s all about proper
guidance, Pat. Knowing someone
with the right relationships,
who’s discreet. I can change a
life almost every day.
They measure each other.
AGENT DENHAM
How much that intern make off your
deal?
JORDAN
North of half a million.
Denham summons Agent Hughes over. To Jordan:
AGENT DENHAM
Can you say that again, what you
told me?
(Jordan declines with
a smile; to Agent
Hughes)
I believe Mr. Belfort just tried
to bribe a federal officer.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 78.
JORDAN
What? I was making conversation.
AGENT DENHAM
Sounds like that to me, Jordan.
JORDAN
...no, no, no...
AGENT DENHAM
...sounded like that...
JORDAN
...no, to constitute a bribe,
don’t I have to make an explicit
offer of money for services? With
an exact dollar figure attached?
All I said was “north” of half a
million. According to the U.S.
Criminal Code, that dog won’t
hunt, Pat.
(then)
Heard you were a straight arrow.
That you wouldn’t bend the rules
other agents might. He was right.
AGENT DENHAM
You did a background check on me?
JORDAN
Figured you were looking into me,
was only fair. Plus you sail on a
yacht fit for a Bond villain,
sometimes you gotta act the part.
AGENT DENHAM
This is why you invited me down to
your yacht? With a couple hookers
on it --
JORDAN
-- those are friends --
AGENT DENHAM
-- to get a sense of the guy who
was coming after you?
Jordan puts his hands up: “you got me.”
JORDAN
Thanks for coming down. Now get
off my boat.
AGENT DENHAM
You know, most of the Wall Street
jackasses I bust, they were born
to the life.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 79.
AGENT DENHAM (CONT'D)
Their father was a douchebag
before them, and his father before
that. But you, you got this way
all on your own. Good for you,
Jordan.
(as he starts to go)
Thank you for having us. I’m
absolutely certain we’ll see each
other again.
(before he does)
You know, this is about the nicest
boat I’ve ever been on. Just think
what a hero I’ll be in the office
when the bureau seizes it.
Jordan watches him go, temper flaring: he can’t let
Denham get the final word. He calls after them:
JORDAN
Hey, Denham! I’m gonna eat a claw
of lobster now as I get my cock
sucked by Heidi down below. You
have a super ride home on the
subway thinking about that! *
As he watches them pull away, seething --
JORDAN (V.O.)
He was a numbers guy, a follow-the-
fucking-money’er. He wasn’t gonna
come at me through my guys,
looking for a weak link and a
quick kill. He was gonna come at
me like an accountant would, the
way Ness got Capone, through my
books. Which meant? It was ass-
covering time.
Scene 26 - Chaos in Transit
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
As Naomi looks on, 5 months pregnant, Jordan packs a
suitcase.
NAOMI
Switzerland? What the fuck is in
Switzerland?
JORDAN
Swiss cheese, Naomi, what do you
fucking think?
139 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY *139
(SUMMER ‘95)
Jordan sits talking with Rugrat and Donnie.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 80.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Rugrat set up a meeting with a
Swiss Banker he knew from law
school who could launder our
money, but it wasn’t till noon
the next day.
Jordan glances at his watch, washes down a few ludes.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I knew if I timed my lude intake
right, I’d sleep through the
entire overnight flight.
140 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) 140
Jordan stands before the Bullpen talking to his Brokers.
JORDAN (V.O.)
At four p.m. I popped a few ludes,
which started kicking in by the
time I finished our sales meeting.
This was the tingle phase.
141 INT. CANASTEL’S - NIGHT (SUMMER ‘95) 141
Over dinner, a visibly high Jordan ravenously digs into
his food as Donnie and four Blue Chip Hookers look on.
JORDAN (V.O.)
By dinner I popped a few more on
top of some cocktails and an
valium or two. The slur phase.
142 INT. DANCE CLUB - NIGHT (SUMMER ‘95) 142
On the crowded dance floor, Jordan gets knocked around
like a marionette, saliva strung from his mouth.
JORDAN (V.O.)
By eight thirty I’d done a few
more and pretty much lost my motor
skills. This was the drool phase.
143 INT. HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT (SUMMER ‘95) 143
Jordan is barely conscious as a Hooker rides him.
JORDAN (V.O.)
And by ten I didn’t know who or
what I was doing -- the amnesia
phase. We boarded the plane just
before midnight.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 81.
144 INT. ZURICH AIRLINES - FIRST CLASS - NIGHT (SUMMER ‘95) *144
Jordan boards, slurring, drooling, completely wasted.
JORDAN
(to a Stewardess)
Sweetheart! Look at you!
And as he hugs her, then stumbles toward his seat...
145 INT. ZURICH AIRLINES - FIRST CLASS - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) *145
Quiet; morning sunlight bleeds through the window.
Jordan’s eyes flicker open. He yawns, looks around,
tries to get up; he can’t move. He looks down, sees
six seat belts restraining his arms and legs. Jordan
looks over at Donnie, mouth agape, asleep next to him.
JORDAN
Donnie. Donnie, wake up.
DONNIE
Nuuhh?
JORDAN
Untie me, shitbag. You think this
is funny?
DONNIE
I didn’t tie you, the captain did.
He almost tasered you.
JORDAN
Why?
146 FLASHBACK -- 146
As PASSENGERS scream, Jordan wildly humps a STEWARDESS,
the CAPTAIN struggling to restrain him.
JORDAN (V.O.)
This was fucking great. I hadn’t
laundered a dime yet and already
I was under arrest.
147 INT. ZURICH AIRLINES - FIRST CLASS - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) *147
A pensive Jordan sits, mind racing.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Worse yet was the plastic baggie
of ludes that Donnie’d stuffed up
his ass.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 82.
Jordan trades looks with Donnie, who shifts
uncomfortably.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But before he could even get a
hemorrhoid--
147A INT. GENEVA AIRPORT - CUSTOMS OFFICE - DAY 147A
*
Jordan sits with two CUSTOMS OFFICERS. *
JORDAN (V.O.) *
--the whole thing was quashed by *
our friend the Swiss banker. Which *
was lucky for me, since so far I’d *
been able to keep Agent Fuckface *
unaware of the trip. *
Another CUSTOMS OFFICER enters, whispers something to the *
others. They shake Jordan’s hand and he leaves. *
148 EXT. GENEVA - SHOPPING DISTRICT - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) 148
A limo pulls up at an office building. Jordan emerges
with Rugrat and Donnie. *
149 INT. BANQUE REAL DE GENEVE - LOBBY - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) 149
JEAN-JACQUES SAUREL greets them. 30s, suave. The lobby is
ultra-modernist.
SAUREL
Jordan Belfort! At last!
Nicholas has told me so much.
RUGRAT
Jordan, Jean-Jacques Saurel.
JORDAN
Nice to make your acquaintance.
This is some lobby you got.
SAUREL
Ah, yes. We gave our designer an
unlimited budget and he exceeded
it. Come! You must tell me all
about your adventure with the
stewardess over coffee!
They disappear upstairs.
150 SCENE 150 OMITTED 150
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 83.
Scene 27 - Secrets and Strategies in Saurel's Office
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 9
Jordan, Rugrat and Donnie drink coffee with Saurel and
one other SWISS BANKER. It’s an impressive office, with *
an enormous fish tank.
DONNIE
We have a joke in America.
“Heaven is a place where the
police are Brits, the chefs are
Italian, the car mechanics are
German, the prostitutes are French
and the bankers are Swiss.” I
never got it ‘til now -- look at
those fucking fish! Come here,
little guy...
SAUREL
Yes, we have the same joke here.
Only sometimes the English are
chauffeurs and the chefs are
French. The Germans, alas, are
always mechanics; no one wants to
grant them more authority than
that.
Polite laughter. Jordan, not as impressed by the fish,
cuts straight to the point:
JORDAN
I'm curious about your bank
secrecy laws.
SAUREL
Excusez-moi, Jordan, Swiss custom
requires ten minutes of idle chit-
chat before business can be
discussed.
(a smile)
Of course, let’s get “down to it.”
What would you like to know?
JORDAN
Under what circumstances would you
be obligated to cooperate with an
FBI or U.S. Justice Department
investigation?
SAUREL
Ca depend.
JORDAN
Ca depend? Ca depend on what?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 84.
SAUREL
Whether America plans to invade
Switzerland in the coming months.
RUGRAT
Want me to see if tanks are
rolling down the Rue de la Croix?
More chuckles. Through Jordan’s forced smile:
JORDAN (V.O.)
What I’m asking, you Swiss dick,
is are you going to fuck me over.
SAUREL (V.O.)
I understand perfectly, you
American shitheel.
Saurel smiles.
SAUREL
The only way the Banque Real de
Geneve would cooperate with a
foreign legal body is if the crime
being pursued also happened to be
a crime in Switzerland. But there
are very few Swiss laws pertaining
to your “rumored” improprieties.
Which is why Mr. Azoff’s joke is
most appropriate: from a financial
standpoint you are now in heaven,
and we welcome you. If the U.S.
Justice Department or FBI or SEC
or IRS sent us a subpoena, it
would become papier-toillette. We
would wipe our ass with it.
Everyone’s impressed. Except Jordan.
JORDAN
Unless it was an investigation
into stock fraud -- which is a
crime in Switzerland. Then you’d
have to cooperate.
SAUREL
(now he’s impressed)
Yes, we would. Assuming the
account is under your name.
However, if it were in the name of
a nominee of yours...
They take each other in.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 85.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Was that yodeling I just heard or
did you just say what I thought
you said?
SAUREL (V.O.)
Yes! Yes!
As the meeting wraps up with handshakes, Jordan’s V.O.
overwhelms Saurel’s V.O..
JORDAN (V.O.)
He was telling me to use a
rathole. Problem was: sneaking a
U.S. rathole into Switzerland was
a chance I couldn’t take. What I
needed was somebody with a
European passport.
152 SCENES 152 - 153 OMITTED 152
154 EXT. LONDON FLAT - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) 154
Naomi’s Aunt Emma answers the door.
AUNT EMMA
Jordan?
JORDAN
(big smile, sweating)
Surprise.
Scene 28 - Flirtation and Illicit Plans
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Amid towering trees and horse trails, a noticeably
twitchy Jordan walks arm-in-arm with Aunt Emma.
AUNT EMMA
So tell me about this plan of
yours.
JORDAN
I’d like us to go to Switzerland
tomorrow so you can open an
account. I’ll fund it, and I’ll
pay you really well for your
trouble.
AUNT EMMA
Oh my.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 86.
JORDAN
Next month maybe you can fly to
New York and we can start moving
the cash.
AUNT EMMA
Moving the cash.
(smiles)
I feel like a character in an
Ian Fleming novel. It’s all quite
racy, isn’t it?
JORDAN
It is, and it’s illegal too. Of
course if you ever got in trouble,
I’d come forward in two seconds,
say I duped you, but even still.
AUNT EMMA
Risk is what keeps us young, isn’t
it darling?
JORDAN
I like that attitude. Promise me *
you’ll spend at least ten thousand
pounds per month out of the
account, okay?
AUNT EMMA
(chuckles)
I wouldn't even know how. I
really do have everything I need.
JORDAN
But I bet you don't have
everything you want. How about a
bigger apartment so your grandkids
can sleep over?
Aunt Emma notices that Jordan is sweating, fidgety. He’s
jonesing.
AUNT EMMA
Shall we sit?
JORDAN
Sure, that’d be great.
They sit on a nearby bench. After a while:
AUNT EMMA
Sometimes I wonder if you let
money get the best of you, dear.
(beat)
Among other substances.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 87.
JORDAN
It’s that obvious, huh?
AUNT EMMA
It’s the height of summer and *
you’ve got the chills. *
JORDAN
I’m a drug addict, Emma. Coke, *
pills, you name it, whatever you *
got. Sex addict too. *
AUNT EMMA
(laughs)
Well there are worse things to be
addicted to than sex.
JORDAN
(chuckles; then)
Why did I just tell you that? *
AUNT EMMA
(playful)
Because I’m very easy to talk to.
Jordan looks at her. A few beats, then:
JORDAN
As a matter of fact you are. My *
job, you know, it’s tough. I mean *
I’m not complaining, it’s just the
stress. All these people depending *
on me. Millions of dollars at *
stake every day. I sometimes feel *
I’ve bitten off more than I can *
chew. *
AUNT EMMA
You’re a man with large appetites.
Jordan looks at her and smiles:
JORDAN (V.O.)
Is she fucking hitting on me?
JORDAN
I agree. I put it on myself. It’s *
hard to control the anxiety, you *
know? It’s hard to learn to relax. *
AUNT EMMA
To release the tension.
JORDAN (V.O.)
She is hitting on me! Holy shit!
Jordan leans in closer, casually slips an arm around her.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 88.
JORDAN
Exactly, to release the tension. *
Sometimes you gotta learn to do *
what comes natural in life, huh? *
Aunt Emma pulls back slightly.
AUNT EMMA (V.O.)
Is he fucking hitting on me?
He leans in even closer, kisses her, then: *
AUNT EMMA
Stability, dear. Family.
*
AUNT EMMA (CONT’D) *
You take care of my niece, my
love. And I’ll take care of
everything over here. *
(a beat) *
Ah, once upon a time... *
155A INT. BEACH HOUSE - BEDROOM - SOUTH HAMPTON - DAY 155A
(SUMMER ‘95)
Jordan fucks Naomi. There’s a curious thunk-thunk-thunk.
JORDAN (V.O.)
When I got home, I realized there
was no way Aunt Emma could smuggle
that much cash by herself. I
racked my brain for another person
with a foreign passport.
The bed’s covered with bundles of cash. Every thrust of
Jordan’s, another bundle plummets to the floor -- thunk.
156 SCENES 156 - 157 OMITTED 156
Scene 29 - Cash Conflicts at the Beach House
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 9
(SUMMER ‘95)
With $20 mil in CASH on the bed, Jordan and a stoned
Donnie watch as Brad tapes stacks of cash to his wife
CHANTALLE, a bombshell in panties, bra and sneakers.
CHANTALLE
Bra-had, theese tape eez focking
steeky!
As Brad keeps taping her up:
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 89.
JORDAN (V.O.)
As a successful drug dealer, Brad
spent his winters in the South of
France, which is where he met his
wife Chantalle, a stripper of
Slovenian origin but born in, of
all places, Switzerland.
CHANTALLE
Take eet off, Bra-had! Eet erts!
BRAD
Shut up, bitch.
CHANTALLE
You beetch, you focking douche-a-
bag-a!
Donnie can’t help but start laughing at this.
DONNIE
Take eet off! Take eet off!
Brad seethes at this but keeps taping...
159 INT. BEACH HOUSE - SOUTH HAMPTON - BEDROOM - LATER 159
(SUMMER ‘95)
Chantalle is completely taped up, a cash-covered mummy.
Jordan looks on with Brad, Donnie and now Naomi. 90% of
the cash is still on the bed.
JORDAN
Well, this is fucked.
NAOMI
It’s gonna take her like fifty
trips.
BRAD
We’ll get her parents to tape up
too. They got Swiss passports.
Plus her brother and his wife.
Five people, six-seven trips?
JORDAN
How much’ll they want for it?
BRAD
I dunno, not much. Fuck, they’d
probably do it just for the miles.
DONNIE
What about my money?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 90.
BRAD
What?
DONNIE
My money. I got a few mil of my
own I wanna move. I’ll call you,
you can come pick it up.
BRAD
(takes offense to
Donnie’s
presumption)
You’ll “call” me.
DONNIE
(what part don’t you
understand?)
And you can come “pick it up.”
Brad asks Jordan if they can speak in private.
MOMENTS LATER, IN PRIVATE: Jordan joins Brad.
JORDAN
What’s wrong?
BRAD
Don’t make me deal with this
fucknut, okay?
JORDAN
Donnie? He’s just high is all.
BRAD
I dunno if he’s stupid or a junkie
but he’s a loose fuckin’ cannon.
I don’t trust him and I don’t want
him around me.
JORDAN
Jesus. I thought he was your best
customer.
BRAD
I only sell to him cuz he’s your
friend.
JORDAN
Can you just do one trip for him?
Brad stews. It’s asking a lot.
BRAD
I’ll meet him but I won’t pick up.
I have a limit of how much of that
douchebag I can take.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 91.
DONNIE
I can hear you, motherfucker!
Donnie emerges from where he’s been eavesdropping.
DONNIE (CONT’D)
I’m a douchebag?!! Well, whose
fucking idea was it made us all
this money?!! Who fucking knew
Steve Madden?!! This douchebag!!
So go fuck yourself a little!
Brad slaps Donnie so hard across the face he goes down.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The next day, Aunt Emma flew to
Geneva, two million in cash in her
carry-on.
159A SCENES 159A - B OMITTED 159A
160 INT. GENEVA AIRPORT - DAY (SUMMER ‘95) 160
Wheeling a small carry-on suitcase, Aunt Emma smiles at a
CUSTOMS AGENT, who waves her through.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Which in the big picture was a
drop in the Swiss bucket --
TIME CUT:
160aA On another day, Chantalle and her family (PARENTS, 160aA
BROTHER, his WIFE) pass through Customs, “on vacation.”
JORDAN (V.O.)
-- because the following month,
over the course of six round-
trips, Chantalle and her family
smuggled in over twenty million
without even a hiccup.
160A INT. BANQUE REAL DE GENEVE - PRIVATE ROOM - DAY 160A
(SUMMER ‘95)
With a cash-filled suitcase on the table, Chantalle
remembers a last fold of cash hidden inside her skirt’s
lining. She laughs with Saurel.
161 SCENES 161 - 170C OMITTED 161
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 92.
Scene 30 - Money and Mayhem
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
(LATE SUMMER ‘95)
Brad waits by his Range Rover as Donnie’s Rolls careens
into the lot. He emerges, briefcase in hand.
DONNIE
Fu Manchu! Kung fu!
Donnie starts doing spastic karate moves. Is he high?
Sure looks like it. Brad looks pissed, and Donnie starts
laughing. Actually he’s dead sober.
DONNIE (CONT’D)
I’m just fucking with you, man.
Jesus, the look on your face.
(Brad isn’t laughing)
Hey, sorry if I got outta line the
other day, I was just, that was
the drugs talking...
BRAD
S’cool, just... gimme the case.
DONNIE
(he doesn’t)
You know, I always kinda regretted
you didn’t come to work with us at
Stratton. It’d be so cool having
you around, man.
BRAD
(growing impatient)
Yeah, well...
DONNIE
You’d be one of us, we’d go out-
partying together, you wouldn’t
have to dress like a mall rat
guinea prison bitch all the time.
Donnie grins, obviously still smarting from Brad’s slap.
Brad just wants to take the money and be done.
BRAD
Give me the money.
A DISTANCE AWAY, a COP in a patrol car notices Brad
gesturing to Donnie for his briefcase. He nudges his
partner: check this out.
DONNIE
Can I come over and help tape this
to your wife? “Eez so focking
steeky! Take eet off, Bra-hod!”
Brad composes himself, lest he kill the guy.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 93.
BRAD
I’m gonna give you a pass.
DONNIE
You’re what?
BRAD
I’m gonna give you a pass.
DONNIE
You’re gonna give me a pass?
BRAD
Yes. Just gimme the money.
DONNIE
You’re gonna give me a pass?
Okay...
(offers the case)
Why don’t you stick your pass up
your Slavic cunt’s pussy.
That does it. Brad attacks. Donnie throws the case at
him, which opens on impact, money spilling out. Brad
instinctively tries to contain it... and that’s when the
POLICE SIRENS start. Here comes the patrol car.
BRAD
Shit!
Donnie bolts. With no time to get to his car, Brad takes
off on foot, bleeding briefcase in hand, toward a video
store where he stashes his .38 in the return box.
POLICE
Freeze! Don’t move!
Brad drops to his knees, briefcase at his feet. From a
distance, Donnie peers around a corner to watch him get
arrested, knowing he fucked this up.
170E SCENES 170E - 178 OMITTED 170E
178A INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - DONNIE’S OFFICE - DAY 178A
*
(LATE SUMMER ‘95) *
Donnie is seated at his desk, freaking out and trying to *
figure out what to do. He exits. *
179 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 179
(LATE SUMMER ‘95)
With a flourish, Donnie presents a bottle full of ludes. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 94.
DONNIE
Jord, do I have a surprise for *
you. Twenty real lemons! A retired *
pharmacist friend of mine’s been *
sitting on these the last 15 *
years. *
JORDAN
You fucking serious?!
CLOSE ON -- a Lemmon 714 Quaalude; pure white, with
trademark ridged edges.
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The Lemmon 714 was the Holy Grail
of Quaaludes, outlawed since the
‘80s and three times as powerful
as anything available today. For
a Quaalude addict, it was like
finding a 1952 Chateau Margaux.
CLOSE ON -- Donnie gauging Jordan’s excitement, waiting
for the right moment to admit his fuck-up.
DONNIE(V.O.)
I’d been saving these for a
special occasion, like a birthday
or celebrating our money being out
of the country. Instead I thought
I’d better use ‘em to help break
the news about Brad.
180 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - MASTER BATHROOM - DAY 180
(LATE SUMMER ‘95)
In his underwear, Jordan kneels over the toilet, sticking
his fingers down his throat to make himself vomit.
JORDAN (V.O.)
That night I cleared my schedule
and rid my body of anything that
could fuck with my high. It was
celebration time.
He takes a box off the counter marked “Active Enema”.
He squats and administers it...
181 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - BASEMENT - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 181
Massive, with a wet bar, media center and full gym.
Giddy as kids on Christmas, Jordan and Donnie sit on the
couch, the bottle of Lemmons before them.
JORDAN
Start with one, see how it goes?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 95.
DONNIE
My guy says one’s all we’ll need.
Salut’.
Excited, they each pop a lude, toast with hot sake’...
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene 31 - Urgent Call in the Basement
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Bored, Jordan and Donnie sit on the couch watching
“Family Matters” on TV.
JORDAN
You feeling anything?
DONNIE
Nope.
(glances at watch)
Thirty five minutes.
JORDAN
Maybe we’ve built up a tolerance
all these years?
Donnie shrugs; they pop another, wash it down with sake’.
DISSOLVE TO:
183 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - BASEMENT - LATER (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 183
With Jordan running on the treadmill, Donnie pumps away
on an exercise bike nearby. They’re both sweating.
DONNIE
This is bullshit, man. My fucking
metabolism’s pumping and I don’t
feel shit.
JORDAN
They’re old, maybe they lost their
potency.
Donnie leans over, picks up the bottle. Reads the label.
DONNIE
January ‘81. They’re fucking
duds.
He shakes out more pills, two more apiece. As they pop
them, a very pregnant Naomi descends the stairs, now very
pregnant.
NAOMI
What are you two retards doing?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 96.
JORDAN
Nothing. Working out.
NAOMI
(a look; then)
Bo Dietl’s on the phone.
Naomi heads back upstairs. Jordan picks up the phone.
JORDAN
Bo, hey, what’s up?
184 INT. BO DIETL’S CADILLAC - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 184
Bo Dietl talks on his cell phone.
BO DIETL
I need to talk to you, but not on
this phone.
INTERCUT JORDAN AND BO
JORDAN
Why, what’s--
BO DIETL
Leave the house, call me back
from a pay phone, you hear me?
185 EXT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 185
Jordan pulls his Lamborghini out of the driveway.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The Brookville Country Club was a
WASP stronghold, a straight shot
down the road from my house.
186 EXT. BROOKVILLE COUNTRY CLUB - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 186
Jordan pulls up, exits the car in sweats, flip-flops and
a T-shirt. He hustles up a staircase into...
187 INT. BROOKVILLE COUNTRY CLUB - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 187
Jordan stands at a pay phone, receiver to his ear.
WE HEAR it ringing, then:
BO DIETL (O.S.)
Jordan?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 97.
JORDAN
Yeah, I’m at a pay phone. What’s
going on?
INTERCUT:
Scene 32 - Descent into Chaos
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Bo talks on his cell.
BO DIETL
Your buddy Brad’s in jail.
JORDAN
Oh, Jesus Christ! What did he do? *
BO DIETL
I dunno yet, they arrested him in *
a shopping mall in Long Island *
this morning, I’m finding out.
But listen to me. More important
than that. The guy Denham I told
you about, the Fed? He’s got your
phones tapped, I’m pretty sure.
Home and office. *
JORDAN *
Donnie, that piece of shit. I’m *
gonna kill him! That fat prick *
mother fucker! *
BO DIETL *
But, listen to me. Do me a favor, *
please do not talk on the phone. *
JORDAN
Fuck!
BO DIETL
Did you try to bribe this fuckin’
guy?
JORDAN
What? No! I didn’t try to bribe
anybody!
BO DIETL
Jordan? I couldn’t understand
you. Say that again?
JORDAN
I zay I zint ty zoo bibe azybuzzy!
BO DIETL
Are you fucking high?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 98.
Jordan can’t respond. Phone still to his ear, his
eyelids droop. Drool spills from his slackened jaw.
JORDAN (V.O.)
After fifteen years in storage,
the Lemmons had developed a
delayed fuse.
JORDAN’S POV -- is hazy as he stares at his own
reflection in the pay phone.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It took 90 minutes for the little
fuckers to kick in, but once they
did -- pow! I had skipped the
tingle phase and went straight to
the drool phase.
JORDAN’S POV -- the phone gets further and further away.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Actually I’d discovered a new
phase: the cerebral palsy phase.
BAMMM!! Jordan hits the floor with a thud, crashed out
on his back. From the dangling phone, we hear:
BO DIETL (O.S.)
(over phone)
Jordan! Jordan! Do not get behind
the wheel! Just tell me where
you’re at, I'll send Rocco!
Jordan lolls his head toward the phone, tries to reach
for it; he can’t. He lays there for a while, then:
JORDAN (V.O.)
C’mon, stand up!
He rolls onto all fours, lifts a hand, topples over.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Okay, walking is off the list of
options. All right, what else is
there?
(a brainstorm)
I can crawl, like Skylar!
Slowly, Jordan begins crawling like an infant to the top
of the staircase.
188A SCENES 188A - 188B OMITTED 188A
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 99.
189 EXT. STAIRCASE - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 189
The Lamborghini is parked at the bottom, twenty steps
down. He starts to crawl down the stairs, stops. Tries
again. Can’t figure out how to do it.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Fuck! The kid makes it look so
easy!
An icy wind blows through his T-shirt.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Think, you motherfucker, think!
(a few beats; then)
Wait, I’ve got it!
Jordan slowly curls himself into a ball.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I can roll!
Forcing himself over the edge, Jordan begins to descend
the steps, one at a time. Thump. Thump. Then faster.
Thump- Thump-Thump. Faster still. He loses control,
takes all the steps at once. Thump-Thump-Thump-Thump-
Thump-Thump. He lands with a crash on the asphalt,
drags himself up and into the Lamborghini.
190 INT. JORDAN’S LAMBORGHINI - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 190
Ignition on, Jordan sits hunched over, chin resting on
the steering wheel. Just then, the car phone RINGS.
With great effort, he pushes the speaker phone button:
JORDAN
...ello?
NAOMI (O.S.)
Omigod! Jordan, where are you?!
JORDAN
Whazz a marra?
NAOMI (O.S.)
It’s Donnie, he’s totally out of
control! He’s on the other line
with some Swiss guy!
Jordan’s face reads horror.
JORDAN
Whaa?!! No!!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 100.
NAOMI (O.S.)
I can’t understand you! Just get
home, hurry!
Naomi clicks off. And as Jordan puts the car in gear...
JORDAN (V.O.)
They say God protects drunks and
babies. I was praying the same
held true for drug addicts.
191 EXT. HEGEMAN’S ROAD - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 191
Peering over the wheel like an old lady, Jordan slowly
maneuvers the Lamborghini down the dark road.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I was less than a mile from home
and drove slower than shit.
192 EXT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER 95) 192
Jordan pulls up in the Lamborghini, shuts the ignition.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Somehow I made it alive, not a
scratch on me or the car.
Scene 33 - Frantic Rescue
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
CLOSE ON the TV, where a POPEYE cartoon is playing.
PULL BACK to reveal Skylar watching. As Jordan staggers
in, Naomi approaches...
JORDAN
Where Zonnie?!
NAOMI
In the kitchen.
194 SCENE 194 OMITTED 194
195 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS 195
Phone to his ear and at least as stoned as Jordan, Donnie
stands at the counter. *
DONNIE
(into phone)
--zee money, I wazza move izz to
Zwizzyland...
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 101.
195A INT. SAUREL’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 195A
(LATE SUMMER ‘95)
Having been just woken up, Jean-Jacques Saurel sits up in
bed, phone to his ear, a perplexed look on his face.
SAUREL
What language are you speaking,
Mr. Azoff?
196 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS 196
(LATE SUMMER ‘95)
With Naomi looking on, Jordan staggers toward Donnie
like a drunk Frankenstein.
JORDAN
Ge ozza zone! Ge ozza iz!!
DONNIE
Waz? Iz zoggin oo anzali!
JORDAN
GE OZZA ZONE!!
With all the strength he can muster, Jordan RIPS the
phone from the wall, throwing it skittering across the
floor with a CLANG.
NAOMI
What the fuck are you doing?!
DONNIE
Wazza fuh is wrong wizzz oooo?!!
I wuzz awwing to!!
(Jordan grabs him)
Wazza mazzer?! Wazza yoo razy?!!
Skylar looks on from the next room, crying as Jordan
tries to shake some sense into Donnie. Naomi crosses to *
Skylar and rushes her out of the room. *
JORDAN
Zee vone!! He nah zuppose zoo
dalk on zee vone!!
DONNIE
Wuzz?!!
JORDAN
ZE NAH ZUPPOSE ZOO DALK ON ZEE
VONE!! WUZZ AAZZEN TOZAY WIZ
ZOD?!
DONNIE
WUZZ?!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 102.
JORDAN
WUZZ ZOD IN ZAW?!
DONNIE
WUZZ?!
Fuck it. Jordan releases Donnie. Donnie crawls into the *
dining room and starts shoving ham into his mouth in an *
effort to sober up. Just then, we HEAR a horrible *
GAGGING sound. Donnie holds his throat as he falls *
backward choking, taking out the entire glass kitchen
table with a tremendous CRASH! Naomi rushes back in. *
NAOMI
Omigod, he’s choking! Jordan, do
something!!
Just then, WE HEAR the triumphant Popeye FANFARE --
Jordan looks to the TV, where POPEYE pours a can of
spinach down his gullet. Instantly, his chest and arm
muscles swell to five times their size.
Jordan goes to get his coke. He snarfs up two fat
spoonfuls and -- like that -- his chest swells and he
takes a deep breath and he dashes back to the rescue...
Jordan rushes back to Donnie, who is now blue.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
He’s not breathing!
Jordan places his fingers over Donnie’s artery. Nothing.
NAOMI (CONT’D)
Save him!
Jordan kneels, starts furiously pumping Donnie’s chest,
breathing air into his lungs in rhythmic bursts.
JORDAN (V.O.)
This stupid sonovabitch! All
Donnie ever did was fuck me up and
now I had to save his life ‘cause
I took a CPR class when the baby
was learning to swim. Just for
the record, I want it noted: not
for a second did I even think
about letting him choke to death,
even though it would’ve saved me
an awful lot of headaches.
Donnie still isn’t breathing. Jordan flips him over,
tries the Heimlich -- we hear a CRUNCH as he breaks
Donnie’s ribs. He flips him back over, but he’s almost
completely blue.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 103.
JORDAN
He won’t come back!
NAOMI
Don’t let him die! He has
children!
One last try. Jordan takes a massive breath, blowing as
hard as he can into Donnie’s lungs. Donnie’s stomach
distends like a balloon, then suddenly a chunk of ham
projects from his mouth and into Jordan’s face. Donnie
coughs, vomiting. And as he starts breathing again,
Jordan exits and passes out on the living room couch. *
FADE TO BLACK.
BROOKVILLE POLICE #1 (V.O.)
Jordan Belfort?
196A INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - FAMILY ROOM - DAY 196A
(LATE SUMMER ‘95)
Jordan opens his eyes. Through his HAZY POV, we see
Violet, the maid standing over him with two OLD
BROOKVILLE POLICE OFFICERS as Naomi attends to Donnie in
the background.
JORDAN
Yes?
BROOKVILLE POLICE #1
Sir, we need to ask you some
questions.
197 SCENES 197 - 199 OMITTED 197
200 EXT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - NIGHT (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 200
Jordan exits the house with the Police Officers. The
Lamborghini is TOTALLED, an absolute wreck.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Wow. Maybe I hadn’t made it home
okay.
Scene 34 - Crossroads of Recklessness
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
FLASHBACK. Nodding out, Jordan drives the Lamborghini
like a maniac, careening off parked cars and trees.
JORDAN (V.O.)
It was an absolute miracle I
wasn’t killed, and an even bigger
miracle I hadn’t killed anyone.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 104.
201A INT. POLICE STATION - DAY (LATE SUMMER ‘95) 201A
*
A MAN steps up to get his mug shot taken, but it’s Brad,
not Jordan. FLASH. Turn to the side. FLASH.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But they couldn’t arrest me, the
cops had no proof I’d been behind
the wheel. Meanwhile, Brad did a *
few months in jail for contempt *
because he wouldn’t rat Donnie
out. They never found his gun,
though, so they finally had to let
him go.
202 SCENES 202 - 202A OMITTED 202
202B EXT. HORSE FARM - LONG ISLAND - DAY (OCT ‘95) 202B
Jordan watches an INSTRUCTOR lead Skylar on a pony.
Nearby Naomi holds newborn PARKER. Manny Riskin and Max
stand beside Jordan.
MANNY RISKIN
You’re a lucky guy, Jordan.
Legally I’ve never seen anyone
slip a noose the way you do.
Christ, you’re lucky to be alive
much less not in jail.
JORDAN
I don’t believe in luck.
MANNY RISKIN
That’s what all lucky people say.
It’s time, Jordan. Let me make a
deal with SEC. Before your luck
runs out.
Skylar waves from the pony and Jordan waves back.
JORDAN
What kind of terms?
MANNY RISKIN
You plead guilty to a handful of
securities violations -- stock
manipulation, high pressure sales
tactics, ticky-tack shit like
that. You pay a few million
dollars in fines and in exchange
the SEC fucks off for all time.
JORDAN
And Stratton? What happens there?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 105.
MANNY RISKIN
You’d have to walk away. Let
Donnie take over.
(that one hurts)
Now the FBI’s a different animal.
They can still pursue you for
criminal wrongdoing. But with you
on the sidelines, my guess is your
best friend Agent Denham’ll be
left standing around with his dick
in his hand.
Jordan digests that.
MAX
You beat them, Jordan. You won.
Sail into the sunset with your
wife and kids while you can.
MANNY RISKIN
God knows you’ll never have to
work again.
As Jordan looks at his picture-perfect family, WE HEAR
THE ROAR OF A CROWD...
202C SCENES 202C - 202D OMITTED 202C
Scene 35 - The Show Goes On
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
(SPRING ‘96)
The troops ROAR as Jordan takes center stage.
JORDAN
I’m sure many of you have been
hearing rumors lately, about me,
about the future of this firm, and
that’s what I’d like to talk to
you about today.
(a few beats, then)
Five years ago when I started
Stratton with Donnie Azoff, I knew
the day would eventually come when
I’d be moving on. It’s truly with
a heavy heart that I tell you that
day is here.
The place erupts in a chorus of “No!”, “Don’t go!”, etc.
Jordan raises his hand for quiet.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Thank you for that and for your
years of incredible loyalty and
admiration.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 106.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
The point is though, that under
Donnie’s leadership, along with
Robbie Feinberg and Nicky Koskoff
moving into key management
positions, this place is gonna be
better than ever!
A smattering of applause. Jordan notices a few Brokers
gravely shaking their heads.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
And the fact that I'm gone won’t
stop me from giving Donnie advice,
not that he needs any--
DONNIE
(jumping in)
Why would anyone in their right
mind not follow JB's advice?
Donnie looks petrified; he’s used to being an offensive
tackle, not the quarterback.
JORDAN
Before I go, there’s something I
want to remind you all, and that’s
this -- Stratton Oakmont is bigger
than any one person, even me.
Especially me. You guys are
Stratton, each and every one of
you, and that is why it’s sure to
remain the best brokerage firm in
the fucking world!
Thunderous applause spreads through the boardroom, all
300 Brokers on their feet. WE PUSH IN on Jordan.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
See, the very idea of Stratton is
that when you come here and step
into this bullpen for the first
time, you start your life anew.
You have a place here and no one
can take that away from you!
Stratton Oakmont is America! Give
me your tired and poor! The very
moment you walk through that door
and pledge your loyalty to this
firm, you become part of a family,
you become a Strattonite! It
doesn’t matter who you are, it
doesn’t matter where you’re from!
Whether your family came over on
the Mayflower or on a fucking
inner tube from Haiti!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 107.
More applause. Jordan scans the young faces -- they
worship him. In the crowd he finds KIMMIE BELZER, 30s.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Everybody here knows Kimmie
Belzer, right?
Hoots and hollers... He raises his hand for quiet.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
In case any of you weren't aware
of it, Kimmie was one of
Stratton's first brokers, one of
the original twenty. Now when
most of you met Kimmie, you met
her the way she is today -- a
beautiful woman who drives a brand
new Mercedes, a woman who lives in
the finest condo complex on Long
Island. A woman who wears $3000
Armani suits, who spends her
winters in the Bahamas and her
summers in the Hamptons!
Wild applause.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
But that’s not the Kimmie I met.
The Kimmie I met was broke, a
single mom on the balls of her
ass. Three months behind on her
rent with an eight year old son!
She came to me for a job and when
I hired her she asked for a $5000
dollar advance so she could pay
his tuition. And what did I do,
Kimmie?
KIMMIE
You wrote me a check for $25,000!
JORDAN
Because I believed in you, like
I believe in each and every one
of you!
KIMMIE
I love you, Jordan!
As the Brokers go berserk, Jordan stands basking in the
adoration. He looks at Donnie, turns back to the Crowd,
looks out at the faces. A change has come over him.
He stands there, thinking. An eternity, then:
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 108.
JORDAN
You know for years I’ve been
telling you guys not to take no
for an answer, to keep pushing,
to not hang up the phone till you
get what you want. This deal I’m
about to sign, barring me from the
securities industry, barring me
from Stratton, my home... What the
fuck is that? I’ll tell you what
it is, it’s me being a hypocrite.
It’s me taking no for an answer,
it’s them selling me, not the
other way around! Fuck it, I’m
not leaving!
Jordan smiles, thrusts his hands in the air --
JORDAN (CONT’D)
THE SHOW GOES ON!!
The place goes absolutely INSANE. And as Donnie and Max
trade looks, TECHNO MUSIC BLASTS taking us to...
202Ea EXT. YACHT NAOMI - AFT DECK - DAY (SPRING ‘96) 202Ea
It’s celebration time. DOZENS of Strattonites party,
drinking/dancing/snorting, Jordan at the center of it.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Of course, the troops weren’t the *
only ones who were thrilled. *
202F INT. DENHAM’S OFFICE - DAY (SPRING ‘96) 202F
Agent Denham hears the news over the phone. A smile
touches his lips: his case goes on...
202Fa EXT. YACHT NAOMI - AFT DECK (SPRING ‘96) 202Fa
*
The party continues as Brad comes aboard. He’s welcomed *
and showered with lapdancers. *
JORDAN (V.O.) *
I apologized to Brad and promised *
him he’d never have to deal with *
Donnie again. Even offered to pay *
him for his time in the can. But *
he said no, he was out. Sad thing *
was, he was dead two years later. *
Massive heart attack while sitting *
on the john. *
202G SCENE 202G OMITTED 202G
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 109.
Scene 36 - Legal Troubles and Personal Tragedies
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
(SPRING ‘96)
Janet enters Jordan’s office, leaves a stack of legal
papers on his desk.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Within days, subpoenas started
flying. They were burying me in
paper --
202Ha INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - DAY (SPRING ‘96) 202Ha
Donnie pisses on a subpoena, to applause.
JORDAN (V.O.)
-- notices to produce documents,
depositions. Donnie couldn’t
drink water fast enough.
202J INT. S.E.C. - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY (SPRING ‘96) 202J
*
As Manny Riskin looks on, Jordan sits across from the
three SEC Attorneys and a COURT REPORTER.
JORDAN (V.O.)
They interrogated everybody, it
went on for months. It was total
fucking harassment...
202K-Q A SERIES OF CUTS -- (SPRING ‘96) 202K-Q
*
Various Stratton Brokers are deposed: Robbie; Rugrat,
Peter DeBlasio, Sea Otter; Chester Ming.
JORDAN (V.O.)
... but not a single Strattonite
cracked. Donnie and I were given
strict instructions not to leave
the country...
202R SCENES 202R - 207 OMITTED 202R
*
208 EXT. YACHT NAOMI - AFT DECK - DAY (SUMMER ‘96) 208
JORDAN (V.O.) *
...so we took our wives to Italy. *
Each of us had a couple of million *
we needed to deposit anyway -- *
ON A DUFFEL BAG FULL OF MONEY just resting on deck.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 110.
JORDAN (V.O.)
-- this seemed the most civilized
way to transport it overseas.
ON ANOTHER BAG, this one brimming with bottles of pills,
bags of pot, vials of coke. Jordan and Donnie cut up
lines as a HOSTESS serves Bloody Marys.
HOSTESS
Can I get you anything else,
gentlemen?
JORDAN
I have a rare condition that
requires me to drink one of these
every fifteen minutes. If you
could set your egg timer, I’d
appreciate it.
She goes. The blow is ready for inhaling. Jordan and
Donnie are doing a “you first, no, you first” routine
with a rolled up $100 when a CELL rings. Donnie grabs
it.
DONNIE
Rugrat! Bongiorno, my bald eagle! *
208A SCENES 208A - 208B OMITTED 208A
*
208C INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - OFFICE - DAY (SUMMER ‘96) 208C
*
RUGRAT
We may have a problem. Your *
friend, Steve Madden, he’s *
unloading shares. *
208D EXT. YACHT NAOMI - DAY (SUMMER ‘96) 208D
*
Donnie reacts as Rugrat expounds.
DONNIE
What?! You’re fucking kidding?! *
RUGRAT *
No. I wish I was. *
DONNIE *
(to Jordan) *
Rugrat says Steve Madden’s *
unloading shares. *
JORDAN *
What?! (Grabs Donnie’s phone) *
Rugrat, what the fuck? *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 111.
JORDAN (CONT'D)
(Hands Donnie his phone) Call the *
sonovabitch! Hold on a second. *
BACK AT STRATTON... *
RUGRAT *
I’m looking at the screen and huge *
chunks of Steve Madden are being *
sold. We’re not doing it so it’s *
gotta be Steve. He’s the only *
person who owns that many shares. *
ON THE BOAT... *
Jordan cups the phone, looks to Donnie who shrugs.
DONNIE
He’s not picking up.
JORDAN
Your fucking friend is trying to
fuck me. And you know where he’s
trying to fuck me? Up the ass.
(back to Rugrat)
I need some time to think. *
Jordan thinks, snorts a line to think better.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Even though I owned 85% of Steve-
Cocksucker-Madden-fucking-Shoes,
the shares were in his fucking
name. Motherfucker knew I was in
trouble with the Feds and was
trying to take advantage.
He gets back on the phone with Rugrat.
JORDAN
Tell all the brokers to sell. *
Drive the price down. Steve will *
go cockless when he watches me *
turn his company into a penny *
stock. *
(he hangs up)
Sonovacunt!
(yelling below deck)
Captain Ted!! Start ‘er up, we
gotta go home! *
The sight of Naomi and Hildy returning from their trip
ashore stops him. Because Naomi’s weeping, Hildy
consoling her.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
What the fuck?! What happened?
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 112.
NAOMI
I got a call from cousin Betty.
Aunt Emma’s dead.
Off Jordan’s reaction as Naomi weeps and laments the
dearly departed: “she was so young, so healthy” etc. --
JORDAN (V.O.)
Fucking heart attack. Boom-snap,
she was gone. Shuffled off her
mortal coil and twenty million
dollars in a Swiss bank account.
Scene 37 - Inheritance on the Horizon
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
(SUMMER ‘96)
Jean-Jacques Saurel sits at his desk, calmly smoking as
he talks on the phone.
SAUREL
It is terrible. Your aunt was
such an elegant, attractive woman.
My condolences to you and your
family. You must be --
208F INTERCUT JORDAN ON THE BOAT AND SAUREL IN GENEVA 208F
JORDAN
(no time for it)
Thanks but where does this leave
us in regard to her account? It
goes into probate or what?
SAUREL
Not to worry, Jordan. Your aunt,
before she died, signed a document
naming you as her successor.
JORDAN
She did?!
SAUREL
(a sly grin)
Well. Not as of yet.
And as they continue talking, Jordan pulls out a nautical
map of the Italian coastline:
JORDAN (V.O.)
I gotta say, these Swiss were
sneaky motherfuckers. Within
minutes he made arrangements to
set me up with a forger, the best
document specialist in Geneva.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 113.
JORDAN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Thing was: I had to get there in
three business days to co-sign on
the account.
Jordan goes rapid-fire. He yells: *
JORDAN
Captain Ted! Change of plan! *
We’re going to Monaco. *
NAOMI
Monaco, now? *
JORDAN *
Yes, babe. We’re going to Monaco *
so then we can go to Switzerland. *
HILDY
But her aunt just died, we can’t
go to --
JORDAN
I realize that but we have to go *
to Switzerland. *
DONNIE
What about -- *
JORDAN
(way ahead of him)
-- keep calling, when the fuck
picks up, set a meet with him in
three business days. *
NAOMI
We gotta go to London. *
JORDAN
Why?!
NAOMI
The funeral.
JORDAN *
Honey, I loved your Aunt Emma more *
than anyone in the world, but *
she’s still gonna be dead in two *
days. She’s not going anywhere. *
Captain Ted Beecham emerges from below.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Captain Ted, we’ve gotta get to *
Monaco.
CAPTAIN TED *
Monaco? *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 114.
JORDAN *
Then we drive to Switzerland so *
they don’t stamp our passports. *
Take care of business. Drive back *
to Monaco, fly to London for the *
funeral, fly back to New York to *
be there in three business days - *
That’s the fuckin’ plan. *
CAPTAIN TED
I’m getting reports of some
weather out there. Might run into
some chop.
JORDAN *
The boat’s 170 feet long. She can *
handle a little chop. *
HILDY *
We’re not going anywhere until he *
says it’s safe. *
DONNIE *
Chop is fine. *
JORDAN *
Is it safe? *
CAPTAIN TED *
If we take it slow... *
JORDAN *
We can do it? *
CAPTAIN TED *
Chop is chop. Some chop - it can *
be uncomfortable. *
JORDAN *
Well, that’s fine. *
CAPTAIN TED *
Anything is possible. I mean we’ll *
have to batten down the hatches *
just to be safe. Could be a few *
broken dishes. *
JORDAN *
A few broken dishes. Isn’t that *
great? Let’s go to Monaco - *
Jordan, Captain Ted and Donnie rush down stairs. As the *
ENGINE starts... *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 115.
209 EXT. MEDITERRANEAN SEA - NIGHT (SUMMER ‘96) 209
The perfect storm. As the Naomi tips at a 45-degree
angle, a thick wall of gray water comes rising over her
side, slamming onto the bridge with a thunderous CRASH.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Well talk about your shitty
vacations...
Six Jet Skis plummet off the deck into the raging sea.
Scene 38 - Stormy Descent
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Donnie and Naomi stand on the bridge where Captain Ted *
Beecham holds the ship's wheel with both hands, the radio
blaring in the background. Jordan enters. *
JORDAN *
What the fuck is going on? *
CAPTAIN TED *
Jet skis just went overboard. *
RADIO VOICE
Gale warning! Gale warning! *
CAPTAIN TED
The waves are twenty feet and
building!
JORDAN
Can’t you turn us around?!
CAPTAIN TED
We’ll get broad-sided and tip
over!
RADIO VOICE
Gale warning! Gale warning!
Naomi turns to Jordan, furious with him.
NAOMI
You happy now, you piece of shit? *
We’re gonna drown. *
JORDAN
I’m a master diver. We will not *
drown, I promise you. I got you, *
baby. *
(realizing she’s *
probably right; to
Donnie)
The ludes!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 116.
DONNIE
What?
JORDAN
Get the fucking ludes! *
DONNIE
They’re below deck! There’s like
three feet of water down there!
JORDAN
I can’t die fucking sober!
As Donnie heads off --
NAOMI
What is he crazy? Where’s he *
going? Donnie! *
210A INT. BELOW DECKS - CONTINUOUS 210A
*
Donnie retrieves the ludes. *
210B INT. YACHT NAOMI - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 210B
*
Captain Ted stares through his binoculars.
CAPTAIN TED
Jesus Christ! *
TIME CUT TO: *
Donnie returns with ludes - feeds to Jordan and then *
himself. *
JORDAN
What’s happening?! *
CAPTAIN TED *
Rogue wave! *
Jordan grabs Naomi. All at once the boat dips down at an *
impossibly steep angle, until it’s pointing almost *
straight down. Captain Ted jams the throttle and the *
boat jerks forward, rising up the face of a giant rogue *
wave, which curls over the top of the bridge and... *
KABOOM! -- Blackness. Slowly, painfully, the boat pops *
up from beneath the water, its helicopter RIPPING from *
the deck and crashing into the sea. *
CAPTAIN TED (CONT’D)
(into radio)
Mayday! This is Captain Ted
Beecham aboard the Yacht Naomi!
This is a Mayday!
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 117.
CAPTAIN TED (CONT’D)
We are going down at the head
fifty miles off the coast of Rome
and we require immediate
assistance!
211 INT. ITALIAN NAVAL DESTROYER - BELOW DECK - NIGHT *211
(SUMMER ‘96)
Off to the side, Jordan watches as Naomi, their Friends,
and the yacht’s Crew Members dance to blaring techno
music. A small group of Italian SAILORS cheer them on.
JORDAN (V.O.)
The nice thing about getting
rescued by Italians is that the
first thing they do is feed you
and make you drink red wine.
Then they make you dance.
Jordan watches as the dancing continues, then casually
glances out a porthole, where WE SEE the distant lights
of a PLANE making its way across the night sky. After a
few beats, the plane EXPLODES, a tiny flash of light.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Did you see that? That was the
plane I sent for to come get us.
I shit you not, it exploded when
a seagull flew into the engine,
three people killed. You want a
sign from God, well after all this
I finally got the message. I had
to make some fucking changes.
FADE OUT.
212 SCENES 212 - 214 OMITTED *212
24 MONTHS LATER
Scene 39 - Ambition Over Dinner
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Jordan, looking healthier than we’ve seen him thus far, *
sits on the couch; stacks of paperwork on the coffee *
table. After a few beats, Naomi enters from the kitchen. *
NAOMI *
Dinner’s ready. *
JORDAN *
I gotta finish these balance *
sheets, babe. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 118.
NAOMI *
Well, it’s there. So the kids are *
gonna start. *
Naomi exits. Jordan goes back to work. Looks up at TV. *
Watches for a bit. *
JORDAN (V.O.) *
What’s the single most important *
skill in life you can ever master? *
CUT TO:
215A THE INFOMERCIAL. 215A
Shot on 90’s-era video, an ad intended for late-night
local tv. The defining idea here is that while the
commercial may be amateurish, Jordan isn’t; he’s an
excellent salesman even if the ad is cut-rate.
WE START WITH FLASHES OF THE SEMINAR: Jordan in front of
a dry erase board, lecturing a small audience.
JORDAN
At the essence of every personal
interaction, of every business
transaction, of every effective
human communication is
PERSUASION... once you learn to
control the linguistic encounter,
you will be SHOCKED at what will
happen... you are a person worth
listening to, and taking it one
step higher than that, you are
someone who can help them achieve
their goals...
215B JORDAN ON THE GROUNDS OF HIS ESTATE, addressing us. 215B
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Do you dream of being financially
independent but struggle every
month just to pay your bills?
Would you like to own a home like *
this one someday but can barely
afford to pay your rent?
(ZOOM IN ON HIM)
My name is Jordan Belfort and
there’s no secret to wealth
creation. No matter who you are,
where you came from, you too can *
become financially independent in
just a matter of months. All you
need is a strategy.
(NEW ANGLE; he enters
from same side as
previous shot)
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 119.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
The first action you have to take
is to DECIDE to be wealthy. When
I was 24 years old, I made a
DECISION not to just survive but
to THRIVE. I started my own stock
brokerage firm, developing a *
SYSTEM OF SELLING that within a
year made me a multi-millionaire.
215C-G A SNAPSHOT OF JORDAN’S CHILDHOOD HOME, then OF HIS 215C-G
CURRENT ESTATE, FOLLOWED BY EXAMPLES OF WEALTH: his
sportscars, Naomi in a bikini, stock footage of a jet...
JORDAN (V.O.)
From these humble middle-class
beginnings, I now live here...with
my beautiful wife and
kids...living the lifestyle of our
dreams...
215H THE SEMINAR. Jordan high-fives attendees. 215H
JORDAN (V.O.)
Now I’m passing along the secrets
to my success in my 90-minute free
seminar, “Jordan Belfort’s
Straight Line Persuasion.”
215J FIRST TESTIMONIAL. A MAN holds a framed check. 215J
MAN
I have here in my hand, framed, is
a check for twenty-seven thousand
four hundred and thirty-seven
dollars and sixty-three cents that
I netted from one deal after
attending Jordan Belfort’s, um,
Straight Line Persuasion seminar.
215K JORDAN, on a yacht with NAOMI and some MODELS. 215K
*
JORDAN
There’s nobody stopping you from *
making millions. There is nobody *
holding you back from financial *
freedom. *
(to Naomi) *
Thank You Sweet Heart. *
(back to camera) *
Don’t just sit at home or the life *
of your dreams will sail right *
past you. *
215L TESTIMONIAL #2. A COUPLE in a kitschy living room. 215L
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 120.
HUSBAND
Thanks to the Straight Line
System, we could afford this home
and now we’re living the lives of
our dreams.
215M A HELICOPTER descends to a helipad. 215M
JORDAN (V.O.)
I’ve changed all these people’s
lives and I can change yours, too!
It touches down and Jordan jumps out to address us --
JORDAN
So come to my seminar!! The life
of your dreams is only a decision
away --
-- and BAM! gets clothes-lined by Agent Denham.
216 SCENES 216 - 217 OMITTED 216
218 INT. CENTRAL BOOKING - QUEENS - NIGHT (SEP ‘98) 218
CLOSE ON JORDAN’S HANDS, at last in cuffs. PAN UP TO
HIM, looking none-too-pleased.
JORDAN (V.O.)
This one takes the cake. It was
Rugrat, he’d been busted down in
Miami, and guess who the fuck
with?
219 EXT. MIAMI RESTAURANT - NIGHT (SEP ‘98) 219
Jean-Jacques Saurel is handcuffed by Feds as Rugrat looks
on crying, handcuffed nearby.
JORDAN (V.O.)
What were the odds? There had to
be ten thousand Swiss bankers in
Geneva and I choose the one dumb
enough to get himself arrested on
U.S. soil.
220 INT. MIAMI FBI OFFICE - NIGHT (SEP ‘98) 220
CLICK! Saurel gets his mug shot taken.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 121.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Even more ironic was he'd gotten
himself indicted on charges that
had nothing to fucking do with me.
Scene 40 - Legal Turmoil and Betrayal
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
ROCKY AOKI, Japanese, 50s, is led out in handcuffs by a
MAN in an FBI windbreaker.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Something about laundering drug
money through offshore boat racing
and a guy named Rocky Aoki, the
founder of Benihana.
221A INSERT BENI HANA COMMERCIAL -- 221A
A smiling Rocky Aoki looks on as a HIBACHI CHEF expertly
dices shrimp on a sizzling grill.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Beni-fucking-hana! Why would God
be so cruel as to choose a chain
of fucking Hibachi Restaurants to
bring me down?
222 INT. SAUREL’S BEDROOM - DAY (OCT ‘95) 222
Saurel lays on the bed, smoking.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Long story short was Saurel ratted
me out, but not before he ratted
out Chantalle, who it turns out
he’d been fucking every time she
went to Switzerland!
Chantalle emerges from the bathroom naked. Laughing, she
runs and jumps in bed with Saurel.
223 INT. FEDERAL COURT - QUEENS - DAY (SEP ‘98) 223
With his criminal attorney NOLAN DRAGER, 40s, next to
him, Jordan stands before a JUDGE, being arraigned.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I was indicted for money
laundering, securities fraud and
an endless list of other shit.
*
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 122.
HON. SAMANTHA STOGEL *
(leafing through a *
subpoena) *
One count engaging in conspiracy *
to commit securities fraud. Two *
counts securities fraud. One *
count engaging in conspiracy to *
commit money laundering. Twenty- *
one counts money laundering. One *
count obstruction of justice. *
(gives Jordan a *
withering glare) *
Bail is set at ten million
dollars.
The Judge bangs the gavel.
223A US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - MOVED TO 226A 223A
*
223B INT. FEDERAL COURT LOBBY - DAY 223B
*
Jordan walks with Nolan Drager, who flips through the *
subpoena. *
NOLAN DRAGER *
This is...well, it’s not good. *
It’s pretty bad actually. How *
much money do you have, Jordan? *
JORDAN *
I can make bail. *
NOLAN DRAGER *
I don’t mean the ten million, I *
mean for legal fees. Cuz if you *
want to fight this thing, it’s *
gonna be expensive. Like, sell- *
everything-you-own-expensive. *
224 EXT. U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - DAY (SEP ‘98) *224
Jordan exits the building. He’s fucked and he knows it.
He sees beautiful Naomi waiting for him beside a
limosine; life isn’t totally hopeless. He approaches.
JORDAN
Nay, thank God. I’m so glad
you’re here.
They embrace. He can’t see her expression: she’d rather
be anywhere else.
225 SCENE 225 OMITTED 225
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 123.
Scene 41 - Beneath the Surface
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
ON SKYLAR AND PARKER, playing with a NANNY and Rocky the
dog. Jordan watches them, sitting by his pool, drinking
an O’Douls, weighing his options.
Donnie pops into the yard, in “Uncle Donnie” mode.
DONNIE
Hey, everybody! How’re the
happiest people in Long Island?
Hi, Rocky!!
(joining Jordan)
Hate that fucking dog.
JORDAN
Tell me about it. It’s getting
old, starting to shit inside the
house again.
Jordan offers Donnie an O’Douls; Donnie declines.
DONNIE
How you doing, brother? How was
the food in jail?
JORDAN
Lobster Newburg sucked. They gave
me some jewelry though.
He shows off the electronic bracelet around his ankle.
DONNIE
Wonder if they got one in my size.
Fuckin’ Rugrat, that wig-wearin’
hump. Tell you one thing: I’m
never eating at Benihana’s again.
Where’s Naomi?
JORDAN
Inside. Pissed.
Donnie sees Naomi in a window. He waves but she barely
registers him.
DONNIE
What’s up her ass?
JORDAN
Had to mortgage the home to make
bail. Probably gonna hafta sell
it to pay my lawyers. If we fight
this thing.
Donnie weighs that.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 124.
DONNIE
The Feds say anything about coming
after the rest of us?
Jordan thinks, then shakes his head no.
DONNIE (CONT’D)
You know, we’re all behind you.
Everyone at the office.
(he removes an
envelope, hands it
to Jordan)
We bought back your mortgage. All
the founding partners threw in a
million apiece. Figured none of
us would have it if it weren’t for
you.
Jordan’s profoundly touched. Donnie squeezes his
shoulder. A real moment of friendship.
DONNIE (CONT’D)
You gotta fight this thing, baby.
Jordan nods.
JORDAN (V.O.)
Like I said, loyalty meant a lot
to me. Without your friends and
family standing behind you, you’re
fucked.
226A INT. U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 226A
*
(SEP ‘98) *
Jordan sits with Nolan Drager across from FBI Agent *
Denham, U.S. Attorney LUCAS SOLOMON, 50s, and Assistant *
U.S. Attorney ROCHELLE APPLEBAUM, 30s, humorless. *
LUCAS SOLOMON *
There’s a term we have around *
here, we don’t like to use it *
often, only when circumstances *
dictate. It’s called a “Grenada.” *
Inspired by our government’s *
invasion in 1983 of the island *
nation of only 90,000 people, *
basically it stands for any case *
we get which is pretty much unlose- *
able. We could show up late and *
drunk to court, fuck up left-right- *
and-center and still we’d win. *
Mr. Belfort, you, sir, are a *
“Grenada.” *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 125.
ROCHELLE APPLEBAUM *
You’re looking at real prison *
time. Money laundering gets you *
as much as 20 years. Case *
couldn’t be stronger if we’d have *
caught you with your cash in your *
mattress. *
Solomon pushes a box full of evidence across the table. *
Jordan eyeballs Denham. *
LUCAS SOLOMON *
Read the discovery. *
JORDAN *
That your life’s work in the box? *
AGENT DENHAM *
Jordan, you rotting in jail til *
your kids’re outta college isn’t *
our ambition here. You weren’t *
the only one involved in all this. *
We think those folks deserve their *
day in court too. *
NOLAN DRAGER *
Why do I get the sense there’s an
offer in the air? If so, let’s *
put it on the table. *
LUCAS SOLOMON
Full cooperation. A comprehensive
list of all coconspirators
spanning the last seven years and
he agrees to wear a wire.
JORDAN
You want me to rat?
LUCAS SOLOMON *
We want your cooperation in -- *
AGENT DENHAM *
Yes. We want you to rat. *
227 SCENES 227 - 229 OMITTED 227
Scene 42 - Divided by Optimism
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 9
JORDAN *
How was Christy’s party? *
NAOMI *
It was fine. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 126.
JORDAN *
Baby, I talked to the lawyers *
again today. I have some really *
great news. As it turns out you’re *
totally off the hook. *
NAOMI *
I know that already. *
JORDAN *
You never did anything wrong *
anyway, right? At the end of the *
day all they really want is for me *
to cooperate - that’s it. *
See, apparently, I know so much *
about what’s going on in the stock *
market that I could save the *
government years of heartache. But *
it get’s even better... You see, *
if I cooperate I’ll only have to *
serve four short years and any *
fine I’d have to pay wouldn’t be *
due til after I serve my sentence. *
We’ll still have plenty of money *
left over. The only thing that I *
was kind of upset about was the *
fact that I might have to give *
them information about my friends. *
NAOMI *
Like you said, “There’s no friends *
on Wall Street”. *
JORDAN *
But there’s a silver lining to *
that too... It turns out that all *
of ‘em are probably gonna *
cooperate too. So in the end, that *
won’t really be a factor. *
NAOMI *
Well, that’s really good news, *
honey. I’m really happy for you. *
JORDAN *
No, it’s good for both of us, Nay. *
NAOMI *
Yeah, yeah. *
JORDAN *
Make love to me baby. Make love to *
me nice and slow. *
NAOMI *
No Jordan. Stop! *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 127.
Scene 43 - Shattered Bonds
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
*
TIME CUT: Jordan is fucking Naomi. It’s the best he’s *
felt in days. While he’s lost in it, she’s lost interest, *
going through the motions perfunctorily. *
JORDAN *
I love you, Nay. I love you so *
much. I’ve loved you from the *
first time I saw you. *
NAOMI *
Fuck you. *
That stops him. *
JORDAN *
What? *
NAOMI *
I fucking hate you. *
JORDAN *
What are you talking about? *
NAOMI *
You don’t give a shit about how I *
feel. All you care about is *
yourself. *
JORDAN *
That’s not true. What do you mean? *
NAOMI *
You wanna fuck me? Fine. Fuck me *
hard like it’s the last time. *
JORDAN *
Hold still. Why are you moving *
like that? *
NAOMI *
Go ahead, fuck me! *
JORDAN *
What are you doing baby? *
NAOMI *
Cum for me. Cum for me, baby. Like *
it’s the last time. *
JORDAN *
You want me to cum, baby? *
NAOMI *
Yeah, cum for me baby, cum! *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 128.
After a beat... He cums. Jordan rolls off Naomi. They lie *
in uncomfortable silence. *
NAOMI (CONT’D) *
Jordan, that was the last time. I *
want a divorce. *
JORDAN *
What are you talking about? *
NAOMI *
I want a divorce. *
JORDAN *
What? What are you talking about? *
Now? After we just made love? *
NAOMI *
And I wanted to puke. *
Naomi gets up. *
NAOMI (CONT’D) *
I don’t love you anymore Jordan. I *
haven’t for a long time. *
JORDAN *
You don’t love me? Isn’t that *
convenient. Now, you don’t love *
me? Now while I’m under federal *
indictment with a fucking bracelet *
around my ankle? Now, all of a *
sudden, you decide you don’t love *
me? *
NAOMI *
Yes, that’s right. *
JORDAN *
What kind of a person are you? *
NAOMI *
You married me. This is how it’s *
gonna be. Listen Jordan. I’m *
taking custody of the kids. If you *
agree to the divorce right now, I *
will allow you visitation. Don’t *
try to fight it. It will save us *
both a lot of money and I have a *
feeling you’re gonna need it. *
Naomi exits to the dressing room. Jordan gets up, follows *
after her. *
JORDAN *
I’ve got news for you. You’re not *
taking my kids. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 129.
NAOMI *
I already spoke to my lawyer. He *
said even if you don’t get *
convicted I can still get custody. *
JORDAN *
My lawyers are more powerful than *
yours. You’re not taking my kids! *
You vicious cunt! *
Naomi slaps Jordan. Jordan hits her back and exits. *
JORDAN (CONT’D) *
Fuck you! You’re not taking my *
kids. You fucking bitch! *
CUT TO: *
230B INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 230B
*
Jordan grabs a pair of scissors and starts slashing the *
couch. He retrieves a stash of coke from the couch *
lining. Naomi enters the hallway as Jordan snorts coke. *
NAOMI *
Look at yourself Jordan. You’re *
sick, you’re a sick man. *
JORDAN *
You’re not taking my kids. *
NAOMI *
You think I’d let my kids near *
you? Look at you. You know what my *
lawyers said? You’re going to jail *
for twenty years. Twenty fucking *
years, Jordan. You’ll be lucky if *
you ever see them again. *
JORDAN *
Oh yeah? You don’t think I’m gonna *
see my kids again? Oh yeah? *
Jordan heads towards Skylar’s room. She tries to stop *
Jordan. He knocks her to the ground. *
Jordan charges towards Skylar’s room. *
Jordan exiting Skylar’s room with Skylar crying in his *
arms. Naomi starts to pull herself up from off the floor *
as Jordan races toward the stairs. *
NAOMI *
Put her down Jordan! Put her down! *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 130.
Jordan and Skylar descend the stairs. Naomi pulls herself *
together and follows. *
Scene 44 - Desperate Escape
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
*
Jordan races through the garage door, slamming and *
locking it behind him. *
NAOMI (CONT’D) *
Violet, Violet! Help me! He’s got *
Skylar! Get the key! *
Jordan putting Skylar in the car. *
Naomi and Violet desperately try to open the garage door. *
Naomi races into the garage. Jordan gets in the drivers *
seat, locks the doors and starts the engine. *
Naomi begs him to stop. Violet presses the garage door *
button. Naomi grabs a tool and smashes the driver side *
window. *
Jordan sees the door closing - he thinks “fuck it” - *
slams into reverse, crashing through the garage door. Car *
continues in reverse, crashing into a concrete pillar. *
Naomi and Violet rush to the car, pull Skylar out and *
bring her inside the house. Jordan sits as blood rushes *
down his face. *
LUCAS SOLOMAN (V.O.) *
Paragraph 1. The defendant shall *
plead guilty to all counts of the *
indictment currently pending *
against him in the United States *
District Court for the Eastern *
District of New York. *
230D SCENES 230D - 230E OMITTED 230D
*
230F INT. U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 230F
*
OFF A “COOPERATION AGREEMENT,” we find -- *
-- Nolan Drager, Lucas Solomon, Rochelle Applebaum and *
Agent Denham all back at the conference table, reading *
copies of the same contract. Lucas does so aloud: *
LUCAS SOLOMON *
Paragraph 2. The defendant shall *
provide information regarding all *
criminal activities of the *
defendant and others from June *
1st, 1990, onwards. Paragraph 3. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 131.
LUCAS SOLOMON (CONT'D)
The defendant shall participate in *
undercover activities pursuant to *
the instructions of the FBI, *
including wearing a recording *
device, also known as a ‘wire’, in *
conjunction with the investigation *
of securities fraud. Paragraph 4. *
The defendant must not commit, or *
attempt to commit, any further *
crimes. *
Jordan’s here, too, looking miserable. He stops Lucas. *
JORDAN *
Lemme just sign the fucking thing. *
He signs the fucking thing. *
230G INT. U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 230G
*
Jordan sits alone, finishes writing a long list of names
on a yellow legal pad.
JORDAN (V.O.)
For the next six hours, I came up
with a list. Friends, enemies,
business associates, anybody who’d
ever known me or taken so much as
a stock tip. The first name on
the list was Donnie’s.
And as Jordan heaves a huge sigh, we’re suddenly...
231 INT. FBI OFFICE - DAY (OCT ‘98) 231
Agent Denham tapes a recorder to Jordan’s inner thigh,
runs a microphone wire up his chest. Agent Hughes *
watches. *
AGENT DENHAM
Talk normally, breathe normally,
within five minutes you’ll forget
you even have it on.
Jordan nods, buttons up his shirt.
232 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - DAY (OCT ‘98) 232
Wearing a suit and tie, Jordan walks in to the bullpen,
where the Brokers spot him, giving him a standing
ovation. He forces a smile, waves to the crowd.
As Robbie and Chester Ming look on, Jordan forces a smile
as he approaches Donnie, who gives him a hug.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 132.
233 INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - JORDAN’S OFFICE - DAY 233
Jordan and Donnie sit at the coffee table over takeout
sushi.
JORDAN
The trial won’t be for months,
so obviously I’ll be counting on
you to pick up the slack.
DONNIE
Whatever you need, bro. You know
that.
Jordan reaches in his jacket for a yellow slip of PAPER.
JORDAN
And you know how much that means
to me. Hey, you know what I
wanted to ask you?
Jordan catches Donnie’s eye, pushes the PAPER over in
front of him.
JORDAN (CONT’D)
The Steve Madden deal, did he
ever come through on that?
Donnie looks down at the paper, reads Jordan’s writing:
“DON’T INCRIMINATE YOURSELF. I’M WEARING A WIRE.”
JORDAN (CONT’D)
Remember he was supposed to kick
back like four mil from that one
account?
DONNIE
Uh... tell you the truth I was so
fucked up, I don’t really remember
anything about that.
Donnie slips the paper in his jacket, gives Jordan a
look -- “Thank you.” Jordan nods.
JORDAN
Well if you talk to him, let me
know. You want the last
yellowtail?
DONNIE
Why not?
JORDAN (V.O.)
And thus began my career as a
government cooperator. I was a
rat...
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 133.
234 INT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - MASTER BEDROOM - DAY (NOV ‘98) 234
Jordan lays alone, asleep in bed. We hear the DOORBELL.
JORDAN (V.O.)
But I wasn’t losing any sleep
over it.
After a few beats, Violet knocks, enters. Jordan stirs.
VIOLET
I’m sorry, Mr. Jordan. You got a
visitor.
Scene 45 - The Fall of Jordan Belfort
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Jordan descends the stairs in sweats and T-shirt. Agents *
Denham and Hughes are waiting. *
AGENT DENHAM
I need you to get dressed.
JORDAN
Why? What’s going on?
AGENT DENHAM
You’re going to jail.
Agent Denham holds up the slip of yellow paper that
Jordan gave to Donnie. And on Jordan’s look...
JORDAN (V.O.)
Donnie Azoff, my partner. My best
friend.
235A EXT. JORDAN’S ESTATE - DAY 235A
*
A tractor-trailer is parked out front as a group of *
MOVERS carry out paintings and antique furniture under *
the supervision of several FBI Agents in windbreakers. *
JORDAN (V.O.) *
After months of legal wrangling, *
I was finally sentenced to prison. *
WE SEE Jordan’s various cars -- Porsche, Mercedes, *
Ferrari, BMW -- loaded onto a large transport vehicle. *
235B INT. STRATTON OAKMONT III - BULLPEN - DAY 235B
*
Jordan stands addressing his 700 Brokers. WE SEE the *
eager young FACES, hanging on his every word. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 134.
JORDAN (V.O.) *
I gave up everyone, and in return *
got three years in some hellhole *
in Nevada I’d never even heard of. *
Like Mad Max’d said, the *
chickens’d come home to roost. *
Whatever the fuck that means. *
236 INT. FEDERAL COURTROOM - QUEENS - DAY (MAR ‘99) *236
Sentencing. Jordan’s mother is there, tears in her eyes. *
NOLAN DRAGER *
I hope your Honor would agree that *
Mr. Belfort has distinguished *
himself in terms of his *
cooperation in this white collar *
fraud. Mr. Belfort has helped the *
government win convictions over *
two dozen serious offenders and *
helped them recover millions of *
dollars to be made available for *
restitution to the victims. *
HON. RAYMOND SAMITZ *
The sentence of the court shall be *
48 months in Federal Prison. *
(pause) *
Please remand the defendant. *
Max rolls his eyes: Jordan’s so guilty it hurts. As *
Jordan is led away by GUARDS... *
236A INT. STRATTON OAKMONT - DAY 236A
*
Donnie sits in his office, hears something -- a small *
army of FBI AGENTS, led by Agents Denham and Hughes, *
arrest half the office: Sea Otter, Robbie, Kimmie, etc.. *
As the FBI cleans house, Donnie sits on his couch. *
237 SCENES 237 - 244 OMITTED *237
245 INT. SUBWAY - DAY (MAR ‘99) 245
CLOSE ON DENHAM, reading a New York Times article on
Jordan’s sentencing. He looks satisfied with his
accomplishment, until he looks up...
... and realizes he’s right where Jordan said he’d be:
commuting home on the subway, like any other piker.
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 135.
246 INT. PRISON VAN - DAY (MAR ‘99) 246
Jordan rides in back, stares out the window, thinking
about all he’s done. The van stops as it arrives at the
PRISON GATE.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I’m not ashamed to admit, when we
arrived to prison, I was
absolutely terrified...
GUARD (O.S.)
Belfort! Fuckin’ move!
Jordan leaps to his feet.
JORDAN (V.O.)
I needn’t have been.
247 EXT. MINIMUM C PRISON - DAY (SPRING 2000) 247
A tennis ball hits pavement and WE PAN UP TO JORDAN, in
prison fatigues but playing doubles with three other
PRISONERS, all white middle-aged EXECUTIVE TYPES.
JORDAN
Sorry, just out. What is that,
forty-thirty?
As the game continues, Jordan serving, the CAMERA PULLS
UP TO SEE THE WHOLE PRISON YARD: one group of inmates
does Tai Chi while another has formed a book club.
JORDAN (V.O.)
For a brief, fleeting moment, I’d
forgotten I was rich and lived in
America.
BLACK OUT.
Scene 46 - The Pen Challenge
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
CLOSE ON A MOVIE SCREEN: DIFFERENT INTERVIEWS... *
AFRICAN KID *
I watch him speak and what he says *
is motivational about life. He *
tells about life and how you can *
be more rich. *
CHINESE KID *
He is going to teach us how to be *
successful, how to set our goals. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 136.
INDIAN KID *
I will build my future by using *
Jordan Belfort as my mentor. *
MEXICAN KID *
Choosing what is good from him and *
being a millionaire. *
Two hundred people attend Jordan’s “Straight Line *
Persuasion” seminar, watching a massive screen (on which *
these KIDS have appeared). *
ON-SCREEN: THE “JB” LOGO APPEARS, FOLLOWED BY CLIPS OF *
JORDAN giving seminars in different locations (see *
addendum below), edited in with footage of looming *
economic uncertainties. *
Then: a MAN WITH A MIC steps out... *
MAN WITH A MIC *
Ladies and gentlemen, please join *
me in welcoming to Auckland, New *
Zealand... Mr. Jordan Belfort! *
BIG APPLAUSE as Jordan takes the stage, waving. This *
might go on a while. If so, there COULD be TITLES: *
Jordan Belfort spent 22 months in federal prison *
and paid $100,000,000 in fines. *
THEN: *
His cellmate was, no fucking joke, Tommy Chong. *
THEN: *
Since his release, he’s become a multi-millionaire again *
as a motivational speaker. *
When the applause finally dies down... *
...Jordan doesn’t speak. Instead he walks down to the *
front row of his audience, studying faces. He picks one. *
Takes a pen from his coat and offers it to him. *
JORDAN *
Sell me this pen. *
The Kiwi, embarrassed, takes a moment, then: *
KIWI IN AUDIENCE *
Well, it’s a good pen, it’s a *
ballpoint -- *
Jordan takes the pen back with a smile. Hands it to the *
next person. *
The Wolf of Wall Street Buff Revised Pages 3/5/13 137.
JORDAN *
Sell me this pen. *
As the next person tries... *
WE RAKE ALONGSIDE HIS AUDIENCE, transfixed, desperate for *
Jordan’s knowledge, desperate to be molded, to be rich... *
JORDAN (O.S.) (CONT’D) *
Sell me this pen...Sell me this *
pen... Sell me this pen...Sell me *
this pen... *
FADE OUT. *
*
Characters in the screenplay, and their arcs:
Character | Arc | Critique | Suggestions |
---|---|---|---|
jordan belfort | Jordan's character arc begins with his rise as an ambitious and naive stockbroker, driven by a desire for wealth and success. As he gains power and influence, he becomes morally ambiguous, engaging in illegal activities and manipulating others to achieve his goals. This leads to a downfall marked by legal troubles and personal crises, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions. In the end, he experiences a moment of reflection and redemption, transforming into a motivational speaker who uses his past to inspire others, showcasing growth and a desire for second chances. | While Jordan's character arc effectively captures the rise and fall of a morally ambiguous figure, it could benefit from deeper exploration of his internal conflicts and motivations. The transition from a naive stockbroker to a manipulative leader is compelling, but the screenplay could delve more into the emotional toll of his choices, particularly the impact on his relationships and personal life. Additionally, the redemption aspect feels somewhat rushed and could be more nuanced, allowing for a more gradual realization of his past mistakes. | To improve Jordan's character arc, consider incorporating more scenes that highlight his internal struggles and the consequences of his actions on those around him. This could include moments of vulnerability where he reflects on his relationships and the moral implications of his choices. Additionally, the redemption phase could be expanded to show a more gradual transformation, perhaps through mentorship or genuine acts of kindness that demonstrate his growth. This would create a more layered and relatable character, allowing the audience to connect with his journey on a deeper level. |
naomi | Naomi's character arc begins with her as a glamorous and confident wife, deeply enamored with Jordan's lifestyle. As the narrative unfolds, she faces the harsh realities of their relationship, grappling with feelings of betrayal and insecurity. This leads her to confront Jordan about his actions, showcasing her strength and assertiveness. Throughout the screenplay, Naomi transitions from a seductive figure to a grounded and pragmatic partner, ultimately becoming a voice of reason amidst chaos. By the end, she emerges as a resilient individual who prioritizes her family's well-being, finding a balance between her love for Jordan and her own self-worth. | Naomi's character arc is compelling, showcasing her evolution from a glamorous wife to a strong, independent woman. However, the arc could benefit from deeper exploration of her internal conflicts and motivations. While her confrontational moments are impactful, they may come across as reactive rather than proactive. Additionally, her transition from seduction to pragmatism could be more gradual, allowing the audience to witness her struggles and growth in a more nuanced manner. | To improve Naomi's character arc, consider incorporating more scenes that delve into her backstory, highlighting her experiences in the fashion industry and how they shape her views on trust and loyalty. This could provide context for her emotional responses and make her confrontations with Jordan more relatable. Additionally, introduce moments where Naomi takes initiative in her own life, such as pursuing a passion or career, which would reinforce her independence and resilience. Gradually revealing her vulnerabilities and strengths through interactions with other characters could create a richer, more layered portrayal of her journey. |
jordan | Jordan's character arc follows a trajectory from a morally bankrupt, hedonistic individual driven solely by greed and ambition to a more reflective and conflicted person grappling with the consequences of his actions. Initially, he is portrayed as a master manipulator, thriving in a chaotic world of finance and excess. However, as the narrative progresses, he faces mounting legal troubles and personal crises that force him to confront his reckless behavior and the impact it has on his relationships. Ultimately, Jordan's journey leads him to a moment of self-awareness, where he must decide whether to continue down a path of self-destruction or seek redemption by taking responsibility for his actions and protecting those he cares about. | While Jordan's character arc is compelling, it risks becoming predictable as he transitions from a reckless anti-hero to a more reflective figure. The internal conflict is present, but the stakes could be raised to enhance the emotional impact of his journey. Additionally, the portrayal of his relationships, particularly with his wife and Naomi, could be deepened to provide more context for his motivations and struggles. The balance between his charm and darker tendencies is well-executed, but there may be moments where his vulnerability could be more pronounced to create a stronger connection with the audience. | To improve Jordan's character arc, consider introducing more significant consequences for his actions earlier in the screenplay, which would heighten the tension and urgency of his journey. Additionally, explore his relationships in greater depth, allowing for more nuanced interactions that reveal his vulnerabilities and motivations. Incorporating moments of genuine self-reflection or moral dilemmas could enhance his internal struggle and make his eventual choices more impactful. Finally, consider adding a mentor or a foil character who challenges Jordan's worldview, pushing him toward growth and self-awareness. |
mark hanna | Mark Hanna's character arc follows his journey from a hedonistic mentor who revels in the excesses of Wall Street to a more introspective figure who begins to question the moral implications of his lifestyle. Initially, he embodies the thrill of the high-stakes environment, encouraging Jordan to embrace the same reckless abandon. However, as the story progresses, Mark faces the consequences of his choices, leading to moments of vulnerability and self-reflection. Ultimately, he becomes a cautionary figure, illustrating the dangers of unchecked ambition and the emptiness that can accompany a life of excess. | While Mark Hanna's character is vibrant and engaging, his arc could benefit from deeper emotional resonance. The transition from a hedonistic mentor to a more reflective figure feels somewhat abrupt and lacks sufficient buildup. Additionally, the consequences he faces could be more clearly defined to enhance the impact of his transformation. As it stands, his character serves primarily as a catalyst for Jordan's journey, but his own development could be more nuanced. | To improve Mark Hanna's character arc, consider incorporating more moments of internal conflict that reveal his vulnerabilities earlier in the screenplay. This could involve flashbacks to his past or interactions with other characters that highlight the toll of his lifestyle. Additionally, providing a clearer catalyst for his change—such as a significant event that forces him to confront the consequences of his actions—would strengthen his transformation. Finally, allowing for a more gradual evolution in his perspective on ethics and ambition could create a more compelling and relatable character journey. |
donnie azoff | Donnie Azoff's character arc follows a trajectory from naive admiration to a tumultuous journey of self-discovery. Initially, he is a starry-eyed follower, enamored with Jordan's lifestyle and willing to abandon his own stability for the promise of wealth and excitement. As he becomes more entrenched in this world, he grapples with the consequences of his impulsive decisions, leading to moments of aggression and volatility. His loyalty to Jordan is tested as he faces moral dilemmas and the darker aspects of their lifestyle. Ultimately, Donnie's arc culminates in a moment of clarity where he must confront the reality of his choices, leading him to either break free from Jordan's influence or double down on his loyalty, reflecting a deeper understanding of himself and the cost of the life he has chosen. | While Donnie's character arc presents a compelling journey of loyalty and self-discovery, it risks becoming one-dimensional if not explored with nuance. His initial enthusiasm and later aggression could benefit from deeper emotional exploration, particularly in understanding the motivations behind his impulsive decisions. Additionally, the transition from a carefree follower to a volatile protector may feel abrupt without sufficient development of the internal conflicts he faces. The screenplay could further emphasize the consequences of his actions on his relationships and personal identity, allowing for a more profound transformation. | To improve Donnie's character arc, consider incorporating moments of introspection that reveal his internal struggles and fears about losing his identity in the shadow of Jordan's success. Introducing scenes where he reflects on his past choices or interacts with characters who challenge his worldview could add depth. Additionally, showcasing the impact of his loyalty on his personal relationships, perhaps through conflicts with family or friends, would provide a more rounded perspective on his character. Finally, a pivotal moment where Donnie must choose between loyalty to Jordan and his own moral compass could serve as a powerful climax to his arc, allowing for a more satisfying resolution. |
donnie | Throughout the screenplay, Donnie's character arc follows a trajectory from a confident and persuasive broker to a reckless and impulsive partner in crime. Initially, he is drawn to Jordan's charisma and success, leading him to indulge in wild antics and drug use. As the story unfolds, Donnie's impulsive nature causes increasing tension among the group, culminating in dangerous situations that test his loyalty and survival instincts. In the climax, he faces a critical choice between his loyalty to Jordan and the need to protect himself. Ultimately, Donnie's journey leads him to a moment of self-realization, where he acknowledges his flaws and the consequences of his actions. By the end, he emerges as a more resourceful and supportive friend, learning to balance his impulsiveness with a sense of responsibility. | Donnie's character arc is compelling, showcasing the complexities of loyalty, impulsiveness, and the struggle with addiction. However, the arc could benefit from deeper exploration of his internal conflicts and motivations. While his loyalty to Jordan is evident, the screenplay could delve more into the emotional stakes that drive his reckless behavior. Additionally, the transition from a comedic foil to a more serious character could be more gradual, allowing the audience to witness the evolution of his character in a more nuanced way. | To improve Donnie's character arc, consider incorporating flashbacks or moments of introspection that reveal his backstory and the reasons behind his impulsive nature. This could help the audience empathize with his struggles and understand the stakes of his loyalty to Jordan. Additionally, introducing a pivotal moment where Donnie must confront the consequences of his actions—perhaps a situation where he risks losing a friend or facing legal repercussions—could heighten the tension and provide a clearer turning point in his character development. Finally, allowing for moments of vulnerability and growth throughout the screenplay, rather than saving them for the climax, could create a more cohesive and relatable character journey. |
Top Correlations and patterns found in the scenes:
Pattern | Explanation |
---|---|
High Stakes Scenes Drive Emotional Impact | Scenes with a high 'High Stakes' score tend to have a higher 'Emotional Impact' score. This suggests that your screenplay uses tension and risk to effectively evoke emotion in the reader. |
Intense Scenes Drive Character Change | Scenes with an 'Intense' tone often have a higher 'Character Changes' score. This indicates that your intense scenes are crucial moments of growth and development for your characters. Consider if you can further amplify these changes by emphasizing the internal struggles of your characters in these scenes. |
Humor as a Release Valve | Humor often follows scenes with high emotional impact, suggesting you use humor as a means to break tension and provide relief for the reader. This is a common and effective technique, but consider if the humor could sometimes be integrated more organically into the emotional beats, rather than acting solely as a break. |
Strong Concept Drives Plot and Characters | The 'Concept' score consistently aligns with the 'Plot' and 'Characters' scores. This indicates that your story's core concept is well-defined and serves as a strong foundation for both the plot and character development. This is a good sign of a well-structured screenplay. |
Dialogue is Key to Character Growth | While not as strong as other correlations, there's a slight tendency for 'Dialogue' scores to increase in scenes where 'Character Changes' are high. This suggests that your characters are evolving through their interactions with each other, which is a positive sign of well-developed dialogue. Consider if you can further emphasize this by adding more dynamic dialogue exchanges in key character development scenes. |
Confrontational Scenes are Highly Effective | Scenes with a 'Confrontational' tone are often highly rated for both 'Conflict' and 'Emotional Impact'. This indicates that you are skillfully utilizing conflict to drive the story forward and engage the reader. Keep experimenting with confrontational scenes to further intensify emotional impact and heighten dramatic tension. |
Character Changes are Not Linear | The 'Character Changes' score is not directly correlated with scene number. This is a good sign, suggesting your characters are not simply evolving in a linear fashion, but rather undergoing moments of change throughout the story, creating a more nuanced and believable character arc. |
Writer's Craft Overall Analysis
The screenplay demonstrates a strong foundation in creating engaging scenes, particularly in crafting sharp dialogue and dynamic character interactions. The writer excels at capturing the high-stakes world of finance, highlighting moral ambiguity and complex relationships. The writing style often leans towards a gritty, cynical tone, particularly evident in the dialogue. However, while showcasing a talent for tension and conflict, the scenes sometimes lack the depth of emotional resonance that could elevate them further.
Key Improvement Areas
Suggestions
Type | Suggestion | Rationale |
---|---|---|
Book | 'Save the Cat!' by Blake Snyder | This book provides valuable insights into structuring scenes, crafting compelling characters, and creating engaging narratives, which could help the writer improve pacing, structure, and character development. |
Screenplay | 'Glengarry Glen Ross' by David Mamet | This screenplay is a masterclass in sharp dialogue and intense character interactions within a high-stakes setting, relevant to the writer's strengths and the overall theme of the screenplay. Studying Mamet's work can help refine dialogue, elevate character interactions, and enhance the sense of tension and urgency in the scenes. |
Video | Watch interviews with screenwriters discussing their writing process and character development, focusing on writers known for strong emotional storytelling. | Gaining insights into how experienced screenwriters develop characters and create emotional depth in their narratives can provide valuable inspiration and new techniques to the writer. |
Exercise | Practice writing scenes with a focus on character backstories and motivations, exploring how these elements inform their current actions and relationships.Practice In SceneProv | This exercise will help the writer delve deeper into the characters' inner lives and motivations, creating more complex and relatable characters. |
Exercise | Practice writing dialogue-driven scenes that focus on subtext and unspoken emotions, allowing the characters' dialogue to reveal their true feelings and intentions.Practice In SceneProv | This exercise will help the writer develop more nuanced dialogue that resonates on an emotional level, creating a deeper connection between the characters and the audience. |
Exercise | Practice writing scenes that follow a specific structure, ensuring each scene has a clear setup, conflict, and payoff, contributing directly to the overall narrative.Practice In SceneProv | This exercise will help the writer refine their scene structure, ensuring that every element of a scene serves a purpose and contributes to the story's progression. |
Stories Similar to this one
Story | Explanation |
---|---|
The Wolf of Wall Street | This film, also directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the life of Jordan Belfort and shares a similar narrative structure, focusing on the rise and fall of a stockbroker involved in corruption, excess, and moral decay. The chaotic energy, drug use, and extravagant lifestyle depicted in both stories are strikingly similar. |
American Psycho | Both stories explore the lives of wealthy, morally ambiguous characters who indulge in excess and violence. Patrick Bateman's obsession with status and materialism parallels Jordan Belfort's relentless pursuit of wealth and power, showcasing the dark side of capitalism. |
Boiler Room | This film centers around a group of young brokers engaged in unethical stock trading practices. It shares themes of ambition, greed, and the high-stakes world of finance, similar to the chaotic environment of Stratton Oakmont and the aggressive sales tactics employed by Jordan and his team. |
The Big Short | This film delves into the financial crisis of 2008, highlighting the greed and corruption within the financial industry. Like Jordan's story, it features characters who exploit the system for personal gain, showcasing the consequences of unchecked ambition and the moral implications of their actions. |
Catch Me If You Can | This film follows the life of Frank Abagnale, a con artist who successfully performs cons worth millions of dollars before his 19th birthday. Both stories feature charismatic protagonists who manipulate others for financial gain, showcasing themes of deception, charm, and the consequences of a life of crime. |
Wall Street | This classic film explores the world of corporate finance and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. Gordon Gekko's famous mantra 'Greed is good' resonates with Jordan's philosophy, as both characters embody the ruthless pursuit of wealth and the ethical compromises that come with it. |
The Social Network | This film chronicles the rise of Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting themes of ambition, betrayal, and the personal costs of success. Similar to Jordan's journey, it showcases the cutthroat nature of business and the impact of personal relationships on professional endeavors. |
Mad Men | This television series explores the lives of advertising executives in the 1960s, focusing on themes of ambition, infidelity, and the pursuit of success. The characters' moral ambiguity and the depiction of a high-pressure work environment parallel the chaotic and hedonistic world of Jordan Belfort. |
Scarface | This film tells the story of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rises to power in the drug trade. Both stories depict the rise of a charismatic anti-hero who becomes consumed by greed and excess, ultimately leading to their downfall, showcasing the dark side of the American Dream. |
Here are different Tropes found in the screenplay
Trope | Trope Details | Trope Explanation |
---|---|---|
Rise and Fall | Jordan Belfort's journey from a middle-class upbringing to becoming a wealthy stockbroker, followed by his eventual downfall due to illegal activities. | This trope involves a character's ascent to success followed by a dramatic decline, often due to their own flaws or moral failings. An example is in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' itself, where Jordan's rise is marked by excess and greed, leading to his legal troubles. Another example is in 'Scarface', where Tony Montana rises to power only to fall due to his violent lifestyle. |
Excessive Lifestyle | Jordan's extravagant lifestyle is showcased through his possessions, parties, and drug use. | This trope highlights characters living lavishly, often leading to their downfall. In 'The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby's opulent parties symbolize his wealth but also his emptiness. Similarly, in 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jordan's lifestyle reflects his moral decay. |
The Mentor | Mark Hanna serves as a mentor to Jordan, introducing him to the high-stakes world of stock trading. | The mentor trope involves a character who guides the protagonist, often leading them down a path of success or failure. In 'The Karate Kid', Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel not just martial arts but life lessons. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Hanna's mentorship leads Jordan into a morally questionable world. |
The Antihero | Jordan Belfort is portrayed as a charismatic yet morally ambiguous character. | The antihero is a protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities, often engaging in morally questionable actions. An example is Walter White in 'Breaking Bad', who transforms from a sympathetic character to a ruthless drug lord. Jordan embodies this trope as he captivates audiences while engaging in illegal activities. |
Party Scene | The screenplay features numerous chaotic party scenes filled with drugs, alcohol, and debauchery. | Party scenes often serve to highlight characters' hedonistic lifestyles and can lead to pivotal plot developments. In 'The Hangover', the wild party leads to unexpected consequences for the characters. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', these scenes emphasize the excess and chaos of Jordan's life. |
The Love Triangle | Jordan's relationships with Naomi and Teresa create tension and conflict. | A love triangle involves three characters where romantic interests conflict, often leading to drama. In 'Twilight', Bella is torn between Edward and Jacob. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jordan's infidelity creates tension between his wife and mistress. |
The Fall from Grace | Jordan's illegal activities lead to his arrest and downfall. | This trope depicts a character's loss of status or respect due to their actions. In 'The Shawshank Redemption', Andy Dufresne's fall from grace leads to his imprisonment. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jordan's rise is followed by a dramatic fall due to his unethical behavior. |
The Drug-Fueled Rampage | Jordan's drug use leads to reckless behavior and chaotic situations. | This trope involves characters engaging in wild, often destructive behavior under the influence of drugs. In 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas', the protagonists' drug use leads to surreal and chaotic experiences. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jordan's drug-fueled escapades highlight his moral decline. |
The Big Speech | Jordan delivers motivational speeches to inspire his brokers and maintain their loyalty. | The big speech trope involves a character delivering an inspiring or persuasive speech that rallies others. In 'Braveheart', William Wallace's speech motivates his troops to fight for freedom. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jordan's speeches serve to manipulate and energize his brokers. |
The Corrupt System | The screenplay highlights the corrupt practices within the financial industry. | This trope critiques societal or institutional corruption, often showcasing characters who exploit the system. In 'The Godfather', the mafia operates outside the law, revealing systemic corruption. In 'The Wolf of Wall Street', Jordan's actions expose the moral decay within Wall Street. |
Theme | Theme Details | Themee Explanation | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The American Dream and its Corruption | Jordan Belfort's rise from a middle-class upbringing to a life of excessive wealth and luxury is portrayed as a realization of the American Dream, but his pursuit of wealth leads to unethical and illegal practices, exposing the dark side of the American Dream. | This theme explores the allure and dangers of achieving material success at any cost. It highlights how the pursuit of wealth can lead to moral compromises and ultimately result in a downfall. The screenplay suggests that true success is not solely defined by material possessions but also by personal integrity and moral values. | ||||||||||||
Strengthening The American Dream and its Corruption:
| ||||||||||||||
Greed and Its Consequences | Jordan's relentless pursuit of wealth and his obsession with money drive him to commit fraud and engage in immoral activities. His insatiable greed ultimately leads to his downfall, exposing the destructive nature of unchecked ambition. | This theme delves into the negative impact of greed on individuals and society. It shows how the pursuit of wealth can consume individuals, leading to unethical behavior and ultimately causing personal and professional ruin. The screenplay cautions against the dangers of prioritizing material gain over ethical principles. | ||||||||||||
Addiction and its Impact on Relationships | Jordan's addiction to drugs, gambling, and sex affects his relationships, causing strain in his marriage and ultimately leading to his downfall. The screenplay highlights the devastating consequences of addiction on personal lives and relationships. | This theme explores the complexities of addiction and its impact on interpersonal connections. It shows how addictive behaviors can lead to self-destruction, erode trust, and damage relationships. The screenplay also suggests that addiction can be a vicious cycle that is difficult to break free from. | ||||||||||||
The Power of Persuasion and Manipulation | Jordan's success in the stock market is largely attributed to his ability to persuade and manipulate people. He uses charisma, confidence, and unethical tactics to convince investors to buy worthless stocks, highlighting the dark side of salesmanship. | This theme examines the art of persuasion and its potential for both good and evil. The screenplay demonstrates how persuasive techniques can be used to influence and manipulate others, often for personal gain. It raises questions about the ethics of salesmanship and the importance of responsible communication. | ||||||||||||
The Price of Success | Jordan's pursuit of success comes at a high cost, leading to the loss of his marriage, his friends, and his freedom. The screenplay highlights the sacrifices and compromises often associated with achieving success, especially in a competitive field like Wall Street. | This theme explores the complexities of defining success and the sacrifices that may be required to achieve it. It suggests that success can come at a cost, often requiring individuals to compromise their values and personal lives. The screenplay ultimately challenges the notion that material wealth equates to happiness and fulfillment. | ||||||||||||
Loyalty and Betrayal | Jordan's relationships with his friends and associates are tested as he faces legal troubles. Some remain loyal, while others betray him for their own benefit. The screenplay explores the complexities of loyalty and the ways in which trust can be broken. | This theme examines the importance of loyalty and the fragility of trust in personal and professional relationships. It shows how betrayal can arise from various motivations, such as self-preservation, greed, or personal vendettas. The screenplay ultimately highlights the emotional consequences of broken trust and the difficulty of rebuilding relationships after betrayal. | ||||||||||||
The Justice System and its Imperfections | The screenplay depicts the complex workings of the legal system, highlighting its imperfections and the influence of money and power. Jordan's ability to evade justice for a period of time is a testament to the loopholes and corruption that can exist within the system. | This theme explores the complexities of the justice system and the challenges of achieving true accountability. The screenplay shows how money and influence can distort the legal process and undermine the pursuit of justice. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions. |
Screenwriting Resources on Themes
Articles
Site | Description |
---|---|
Studio Binder | Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters |
Coverfly | Improving your Screenplay's theme |
John August | Writing from Theme |
YouTube Videos
Title | Description |
---|---|
Story, Plot, Genre, Theme - Screenwriting Basics | Screenwriting basics - beginner video |
What is theme | Discussion on ways to layer theme into a screenplay. |
Thematic Mistakes You're Making in Your Script | Common Theme mistakes and Philosophical Conflicts |
Voice Analysis | |
---|---|
Summary: | The writer's voice is characterized by a darkly humorous and cynical tone, a fast-paced narrative, sharp and witty dialogue, and a focus on the excesses and moral ambiguity of the financial world. |
Voice Contribution | The writer's voice contributes to the script by creating a compelling and engaging atmosphere that blends humor, drama, and social critique. The fast-paced dialogue and vivid imagery transport the audience into the chaotic world of stockbroking, highlighting the characters' ambition, greed, and recklessness. The darkly humorous tone adds a layer of satire to the story, exposing the absurdity of their actions and the corrosive effects of wealth and power. The writer's voice also reveals the internal struggles and moral dilemmas of the characters, particularly Jordan Belfort, as he grapples with guilt, ambition, and the consequences of his choices. |
Best Representation Scene | 1 - The Wild Jungle of Wealth |
Best Scene Explanation | This scene is the best representation of the author's voice because it effectively establishes the tone, style, and themes of the screenplay. It blends fast-paced dialogue, vivid descriptions of excess and decadence, and a darkly humorous tone that perfectly encapsulates the characters' ambition, greed, and recklessness. The scene also foreshadows the moral ambiguity and internal conflicts that will drive the story forward. It provides a glimpse into the chaotic and seductive world of Wall Street, showcasing the writer's ability to create a compelling and engaging narrative. |
- Overall originality score: 9
- Overall originality explanation: The screenplay presents a highly original take on the world of finance, particularly through its vivid portrayal of excess, greed, and the chaotic lifestyle of stockbrokers. Each scene introduces fresh perspectives and unique character dynamics that challenge traditional narratives about wealth and ambition. The use of dark humor, provocative situations, and authentic dialogue contributes to a distinctive voice that sets this screenplay apart from others in the genre.
- Most unique situations: The most unique situations in the screenplay are the chaotic dart-throwing contest involving a dwarf, the absurdity of a broker swallowing a goldfish, and the depiction of a yacht capsizing during a storm while the characters prioritize drug use over safety. These scenarios highlight the extremes of the characters' lifestyles and the lengths they go to maintain their hedonistic pursuits.
- Overall unpredictability score: 8.5
- Overall unpredictability explanation: The screenplay maintains a high level of unpredictability through its chaotic narrative structure and the erratic behavior of its characters. The intertwining of personal and professional crises, along with unexpected twists such as violent confrontations and absurd comedic moments, keeps the audience engaged and guessing about the characters' fates. The escalation of Jordan's reckless decisions and the consequences that follow add to the overall unpredictability of the story.
Goals and Philosophical Conflict | |
---|---|
internal Goals | The protagonist's internal goals evolve from a desire for identity and success, transitioning into a need for validation, control, and ultimately a reckoning with his moral values as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. Initially, Jordan seeks financial success and recognition, but as his lifestyle spirals into chaos, he wrestles with his sense of identity amidst addiction and infidelity. |
External Goals | The protagonist's external goals evolve from achieving wealth and a lavish lifestyle to navigating legal troubles and the need to preserve his reputation. As he rises in the financial world, his focus shifts from mere success to maintaining visible control and avoiding the legal ramifications of his behaviors. |
Philosophical Conflict | The overarching philosophical conflict centers on the pursuit of material wealth and success at any cost versus traditional values of hard work and ethics. This conflict intertwines with Jordan's journey as he justifies his increasingly unethical choices through his desire for power and validation, challenging his moral compass and leading to his ultimate downfall. |
Character Development Contribution: The evolution of Jordan's internal and external goals reflects his transformation from an ambitious young broker to a morally conflicted individual grappling with the consequences of his choices. His journey reveals deeper vulnerabilities, leading to moments of self-realization, guilt, and ultimately a need for redemption.
Narrative Structure Contribution: The alignment and conflict of Jordan's goals propel the narrative forward, framing his rise and fall as a cautionary tale about excess and ambition. Each goal achieved builds tension and stakes that contribute to a dynamic narrative arc, culminating in a dramatic confrontation with the law and his own morality.
Thematic Depth Contribution: The interplay between Jordan's goals and the philosophical conflicts enriches the screenplay's thematic depth. It explores the moral ambiguities of ambition, the dichotomy of appearance versus reality, and the dire consequences of unchecked greed, prompting audiences to reflect on the nature of success and its impact on personal relationships and integrity.
Screenwriting Resources on Goals and Philosophical Conflict
Articles
Site | Description |
---|---|
Creative Screenwriting | How Important Is A Character’s Goal? |
Studio Binder | What is Conflict in a Story? A Quick Reminder of the Purpose of Conflict |
YouTube Videos
Title | Description |
---|---|
How I Build a Story's Philosophical Conflict | How do you build philosophical conflict into your story? Where do you start? And how do you develop it into your characters and their external actions. Today I’m going to break this all down and make it fully clear in this episode. |
Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great | By Michael Arndt: I put this lecture together in 2006, when I started work at Pixar on Toy Story 3. It looks at how to write an "insanely great" ending, using Star Wars, The Graduate, and Little Miss Sunshine as examples. 90 minutes |
Tips for Writing Effective Character Goals | By Jessica Brody (Save the Cat!): Writing character goals is one of the most important jobs of any novelist. But are your character's goals...mushy? |
- Physical environment: The screenplay portrays a world of stark contrasts. On one hand, there are opulent settings like luxurious mansions, yachts, penthouse apartments, and high-end restaurants, showcasing the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy elite. On the other hand, gritty and chaotic settings like crowded stockbroker offices, a strip mall parking lot, and a minimum security prison illustrate the less glamorous side of this world. These contrasting environments contribute to the atmosphere of both excess and desperation, highlighting the pursuit of wealth and the potential consequences of unchecked ambition.
- Culture: The dominant culture is one of extreme materialism, where success is measured by wealth, status, and the ability to indulge in extravagant lifestyles. This culture is characterized by a relentless pursuit of money, fueled by greed, ambition, and a disregard for ethical boundaries. The screenplay explores the dark side of this culture, revealing the moral decay, corruption, and the toxic impact it has on individuals and relationships. Elements like excessive drug use, rampant infidelity, and a constant pursuit of pleasure contribute to the atmosphere of decadence and moral ambiguity.
- Society: The societal structure is hierarchical, with a clear divide between the wealthy elite and the rest of society. The screenplay explores the power dynamics and the influence that wealth and privilege wield. It reveals the corrupting power of money, showcasing how individuals become entangled in illegal activities and compromise their morals in the pursuit of financial success. The screenplay highlights the disparity in opportunities and the societal consequences of unchecked greed, emphasizing the vulnerability of those who lack wealth and influence.
- Technology: The screenplay takes place in the late 1980s and early 1990s, reflecting the technological advancements of that era. The use of phones, computers, and gadgets is prominent, highlighting the impact of technology on communication, finance, and surveillance. However, the screenplay's focus remains on human interactions and motivations, using technology as a tool to further the narrative rather than as a central theme. The use of bugging devices, wiretapping, and hidden cameras further emphasizes the themes of deception, betrayal, and the constant threat of surveillance within this world.
- Characters influence: The unique physical environment, culture, society, and technology shape the characters' experiences and actions in profound ways. The opulent surroundings fuel their desires, while the cutthroat culture pushes them to extremes. The hierarchical societal structures create opportunities and limitations based on wealth and power, influencing their choices and actions. The technological advancements both enable and complicate their endeavors, shaping their interactions and adding elements of risk and uncertainty to their lives.
- Narrative contribution: The world elements contribute significantly to the narrative of the screenplay, driving the plot and shaping the characters' journeys. The chaotic environment of the brokerage firm, the relentless pursuit of wealth, and the high stakes involved in financial transactions create a sense of constant tension and urgency. The contrasting environments and the cultural elements fuel the characters' motivations, leading to moral dilemmas, betrayals, and ultimately, their downfall.
- Thematic depth contribution: The world elements contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by exploring the corrosive nature of greed, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the consequences of pursuing wealth at all costs. The screenplay reveals the dark side of financial success, showcasing the moral decay, societal imbalances, and personal sacrifices that can result from a relentless pursuit of wealth. The contrast between the opulent lifestyles and the harsh realities of the criminal underworld adds layers of complexity to the themes of ambition, redemption, and the fragility of human nature.
central conflict
The central conflict revolves around Jordan Belfort's rise and fall in the world of finance, driven by his insatiable greed and reckless lifestyle, ultimately leading to legal consequences.
primary motivations
- Jordan's desire for wealth and power.
- The pursuit of a lavish lifestyle filled with drugs, sex, and excess.
- The need for validation and status among peers in the financial world.
catalysts
- Jordan's introduction to the high-stakes world of stock trading.
- The influence of charismatic figures like Mark Hanna.
- The chaotic environment of Stratton Oakmont that fuels Jordan's ambition.
barriers
- Increasing scrutiny from the SEC and law enforcement.
- Personal relationships strained by Jordan's infidelity and reckless behavior.
- The consequences of drug addiction and its impact on decision-making.
themes
- The corrupting influence of wealth and power.
- The moral ambiguity of the financial industry.
- The consequences of excess and hedonism.
stakes
The stakes include Jordan's freedom, financial empire, personal relationships, and ultimately his legacy.
uniqueness factor
The story uniquely blends dark comedy with a cautionary tale about the excesses of capitalism and the moral decay of its protagonists.
audience hook
The allure of the glamorous yet destructive lifestyle of Jordan Belfort keeps viewers engaged, alongside the tension of impending legal repercussions.
paradoxical engine or bisociation
The paradox lies in the juxtaposition of Jordan's charismatic success and the inevitable downfall that follows, highlighting the duality of ambition and consequence.
paradoxical engine or bisociation 2
Another bisociation could be the contrast between the thrill of financial success and the emptiness it brings, showcasing the hollowness of a life built on deceit.
Engine: Claude
Executive Summary
Engine: GPT4
Highly Recommend
Executive Summary
The screenplay for 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling, showcasing the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort in a world of excess and moral ambiguity. Its strengths lie in its sharp dialogue, compelling character arcs, and a vivid portrayal of the financial industry's darker side. However, it could benefit from a more nuanced exploration of its themes and a tighter narrative structure in certain sections. Overall, it is a captivating and entertaining piece that resonates with audiences.
- The screenplay features sharp, engaging dialogue that captures the characters' personalities and the chaotic atmosphere of Wall Street. high ( Scene Sequence number 1 (1) Scene Sequence number 2 (8) )
- The character arcs, particularly that of Jordan Belfort, are well-developed, showcasing his transformation from an ambitious broker to a morally bankrupt figure. high ( Scene Sequence number 3 (20) Scene Sequence number 4 (21) )
- The screenplay effectively uses voiceover narration to provide insight into Jordan's thoughts and motivations, enhancing the audience's understanding of his character. high ( Scene Sequence number 5 (25) Scene Sequence number 6 (29) )
- The pacing of the screenplay is generally strong, maintaining a high level of energy that keeps the audience engaged throughout. medium ( Scene Sequence number 8 (82) Scene Sequence number 9 (130) )
- The vivid imagery and detailed descriptions create a strong sense of place, immersing the audience in the opulent yet morally ambiguous world of Wall Street. high ( Scene Sequence number 10 (59) Scene Sequence number 11 (74) )
- Some scenes could benefit from tighter editing to maintain narrative momentum and avoid dragging in certain sections. medium ( Scene Sequence number 12 (77) Scene Sequence number 13 (87) )
- The screenplay occasionally relies on clichés or predictable plot points that could be refreshed for a more original take. medium ( Scene Sequence number 14 (79) Scene Sequence number 15 (82) )
- The exploration of themes such as morality and consequence could be deepened to provide a more nuanced commentary on the characters' actions. high ( Scene Sequence number 16 (88) Scene Sequence number 17 (97) )
- Some character motivations could be clearer, particularly for secondary characters, to enhance their roles in the narrative. medium ( Scene Sequence number 18 (101) Scene Sequence number 19 (111) )
- The resolution of certain plot threads feels rushed, leaving some character arcs feeling unresolved or underexplored. medium ( Scene Sequence number 20 (118) Scene Sequence number 21 (122) )
- A deeper exploration of the consequences of Jordan's actions on his family and friends could add emotional weight to the narrative. high ( Scene Sequence number 22 (126) Scene Sequence number 23 (130) )
- The screenplay could benefit from more diverse perspectives, particularly from those affected by Jordan's actions, to provide a fuller picture of the impact of his choices. medium ( Scene Sequence number 24 (134) Scene Sequence number 25 (137) )
- There is a lack of exploration into the systemic issues within the financial industry that allowed characters like Jordan to thrive. medium ( Scene Sequence number 26 (138) Scene Sequence number 27 (151) )
- The screenplay could include more moments of introspection for Jordan, allowing the audience to connect with his internal struggles. medium ( Scene Sequence number 28 (155) Scene Sequence number 29 (158) )
- A more thorough examination of the legal and ethical implications of Jordan's actions could enhance the narrative's depth. medium ( Scene Sequence number 30 (170D) Scene Sequence number 31 (182) )
- The use of humor amidst serious themes creates a unique tone that balances entertainment with critique. high ( Scene Sequence number 32 (188) Scene Sequence number 33 (193) )
- The screenplay's ability to maintain tension and excitement throughout, even in slower moments, is commendable. high ( Scene Sequence number 34 (201) Scene Sequence number 35 (215) )
- The screenplay effectively captures the allure and danger of the lifestyle it portrays, making it both captivating and cautionary. high ( Scene Sequence number 36 (221) Scene Sequence number 37 (230) )
- The juxtaposition of wealth and moral decay serves as a powerful commentary on the American Dream. high ( Scene Sequence number 38 (210) Scene Sequence number 39 (215) )
- The ending leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the consequences of greed and excess. high ( Scene Sequence number 40 (236) Scene Sequence number 41 (248) )
- Character Depth While Jordan's character is well-developed, secondary characters often lack depth and motivation, making them feel one-dimensional. For example, characters like Naomi and Donnie could benefit from more backstory and emotional complexity to enhance their roles in the narrative. high
- Predictable Plot Points Certain plot developments, such as the inevitable downfall of Jordan and the consequences of his actions, feel predictable and could benefit from more originality or unexpected twists to keep the audience engaged. medium
Memorable lines in the script:
Scene Number | Line |
---|---|
2 | Jordan: Money is the oxygen of capitalism and I wanna breathe more than any other human being alive. |
1 | Jordan: My name is Jordan Belfort. No, not him, me. I’m a former member of the middle class raised by two accountants in a tiny apartment in Bayside, Queens. |
35 | Jordan: THE SHOW GOES ON!! |
13 | Jordan Belfort: If you wanna party with the boys, you gotta wake up with the men. |
46 | Jordan: Sell me this pen. |