13 Films That Will Inspire You To Do More With Your Life

8) The Wolf Of Wall Street

At first blush, this may not seem the most likely film to motivate someone to do more with their life. Considering that Jordan Belfort’s exploits landed him in prison and addicted to a mixture of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription drugs, some might see this film as a cautionary tale for having too much ambition. The film was even accused by media watchdogs of glorifying his reprehensible behavior.

However, for a more discerning viewer capable of telling the difference between right and wrong, The Wolf Of Wall Street can make the high risk world of stockbroking seem like a magical place where all of your wildest dreams can come true if only you apply yourself. Don’t like your frumpy wife? Trade her in for the Duchess of West Ridge. Sick of your beat up junker? Swap it out for a fleet of foreign luxury vehicles. Tired of your cramped studio apartment? Burn that midnight oil and soon you will have a luxury estate equipped with a tennis court, swimming pool, golf course, gym, anything you could possibly want.

Lost in all of the Quaalude fueled madness and little person tossing is the fact that Belfort started out with the best intentions before he was led astray. He wanted to help others make money as well as lining his own pockets. There is a little voice inside all of us that tells us we will be gracious and help others if we strike it rich. The Wolf of Wall Street showed us what can happen when that instinct is drowned out by bad influences.