A Side-By-Side Comparison Between ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’ & Reality
— Updated on 23 June 2021

A Side-By-Side Comparison Between ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’ & Reality

— Updated on 23 June 2021
Garry Lu
WORDS BY
Garry Lu

Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street blurred the lines between reality and fiction. A cursory Google search of the real-life Jordan Belfort will only confirm this, with certain interviews casting him in a light which would convince the everyday person he was indeed Leonardo DiCaprio’s characterisation. But just how on target was the critically acclaimed film? Below, you may treat yourself to a side-by-side comparison between real-life moments of Belfort at the height of Stratton Oakmont with scenes from the film.

The House Party

Film

Real-life

The gratuitous showcase of recreational substance abuse has obviously been added for dramatic effect. And whether the whole Steve Madden discussion actually occurred then is still up for debate (among other things). But it’s an interesting look at the difference between Belfort’s real speech and the fictitious version. 

“I’m not fucking leaving!”

Film

RELATED: Scorsese Actually Crashed A Real Lamborghini Countach For ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’

Real-life

Granted, the real-life version of this isn’t actually the “I’m not fucking leaving” moment. But it is one of the surviving reels of footage we have depicting the real-life Belfort addressing the upstanding employees of Stratton Oakmont in a rousing fashion (“rousing” /s). It’s also interesting to note how Belfort claimed in his book that he consistently captivated the attention of those around him whenever he spoke – yet had to shush all those coked-up stockbrokers like a group of restless toddlers during grandad’s funeral. How’s his eyelid action, by the way? It is to our expert opinion that a few cheeky nose beers were involved here. 

Mad Max

Film

Real-life

As multiple sources have confirmed, apart from being exaggerated with Rob Reiner’s imposing physique, the film’s portrayal of Mad Max was fairly on point. Here he is with the real-life counterpart of Margot Robbie’s showstopping character, Naomi Lapaglia. If you jump to 1:43 of the real-life “I’m not fucking leaving” video above, you can actually hear Mad Max spouting off in true anger management gone wrong fashion.

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Garry Lu
WORDS by
After stretching his legs with companies such as The Motley Fool and the odd marketing agency, Garry joined Boss Hunting in 2019 as a fully-fledged Content Specialist. In 2021, he was promoted to News Editor. Garry proudly retains a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, black bruises from Muay Thai, as well as a black belt in all things pop culture. Drop him a line at [email protected]