This film begins with Jordan Belfort out to be part of the world of Wall Street. He gets a job at a top firm and soon learns that even the most successful of brokers aren't seeking to walk any line of morality that just might serve the billions of dollars they are betting with. But Belfort, a man who wants to be successful, is willing to play along. He joins the Wall Street "fraternity" and becomes "one of the boys." He does drugs, buys women and takes what he wants, including his next wife, Naomi, who's with another man when Jordan meets her.
This culture, revealed throughout the film is a scary one as it is so attractive that many who watch want to be a part of it. Money, women, and seemingly an endless ability to do whatever they want because they can pay for it. It's a dangerous combination that drives the ego on pride in a way that morality is lost. And any hope for redemption comes through a mountain of shame that is easier to dismiss than it is to deal with.
And this covering up continues through the relationship with the Swiss banker who gives up Belfort for a lighter sentence. And with the dominoes toppling down, Belfort gives up his friends to the FBI for a lighter sentence. And what we see is the lack of loyalty among thieves, and the aggression of their taking whatever they want becomes a feeble disloyalty to save whatever of their life remains. Interestingly enough, when we contrast Jordan's giving everyone up to Brad's keeping his mouth shut we find that though Brad is a violent, hot-headed man he has a code or a line rather that he won't cross by giving up anyone else. He shoulders responsibility in a way no one else does in this film.
This doesn't make him a saint, but simply provides the necessary characterization of loyalty that everyone else breaks. But, without a true willingness to remain centered from morality, anyone is a potential victim to the alluring nature of riches as it gives access to places and experiences most will never have. But it also opens the floodgates to predatory behavior that is only after experiencing pleasure at the expense of the safety of anyone in the situations with them.
