This film is so entertaining ; it is arguably Scorsese's best. The only issue I have with the film is that Leo has a big Polish pumpkin head and big flat meaty face he does not have fine features and does not look Irish. Most Irish look like Pierce Brosnan even though he has no personality he is good looking. The red haired thing is a myth. Jack Nicholson can pass but please Leo looks as Polish as the ex-pope. Other than the miscast lead I mean maybe they could have still had him star but have Mark Wahlberg say "You're half Polock howd'you get 1400 on your Sats?" Then this film would be perfect. Scorcese's insight into the Irish is brilliant so impressive. I recognize a lot of the dysfunction, lots of closeted cowards like Damon's character. Totally repulsive can't get it up becasue he's gay yet he calls firefighters gay. So cowardly to "not be able to leave a relationship." I wonder who scorcese consulted this is brilliant and so true of some Irish men. BUt then there are the brilliant altruistic courageous Irish who more than make up for the balless creatures like Leo's character. I think Damon was perfectly cast. He always reminds me of a low life Bostonite. Yuck. I'm glad he had to play that role. Reportledy he wanted Di Caprio's role and Scorcese said" No thanks". The accents are enough to lurch(cannot stand the Boston "no R" accent) but I really love Nicholson's, Wahlberg's and Baldwin's performances . Baldwin is hilarious in the few lines he has he should have been nominated for a best supporting actor. Sheen is also great. They are so funny. Scorcese is the greatest; of course he's a Native New Yorker.