Have seen a lot of people sum up my feelings both in this and the oot thread. Good movie but the writing just falls apart towards the end. Acting is all around great though. I was never uncomfortable in my seat and for such a lengthy movie that's a good sign. I just didn't like the end starting with right after Nicholson departs.
Anyhow to take another tangent - when the credits started I sat bolt upright and said to the gf - "holy [censored]! That's Roy [censored] Buchanan!"
Anyone not familiar with Roy's guitar work should check him out. You can listen to some samples at this
myspace page. including the song from the credits - Sweet Dreams.
Scorcese it turns out was introduced to Roy by Robbie Robertson who had taken some early guitar lessons from Roy. Roy unfortunately is among the departed, having hung himself in a jail cell in the late '80s after being arrested for drunkeness.
Easily far and away one of the top guitarists who ever lived. Easily.
You can always count on Scorcese for a great soundtrack and exemplary acting performances.