Earlier Scorsese films explored the unrestrained violence and greed that mob figures occupied in American cultural life -- Goodfellas saw Joe Pesce and Robert DeNiro kill at will for a quick windfall; Casino saw Joe Pesce and Sharon Stone wallow in violence and drug abuse with unlimited money supporting them. Greed, gluttony, and lust dominated their lives. The Wolf of Wall Street explores the effects of unrestrained money on ambitious, driven white collar salesmen, and, again, greed, gluttony and lust dominate their lives. Take a look at the American dream experienced by those few who succeed beyond all expectations: broken homes, depravity, sexual perversion, corruption, and drug addiction. Not a pretty picture. No wonder the Academy didn't honor the film for best film or best director. Who wants to see themselves represented in full gluttonous depravity on the big screen? (What up, Harvey?)