Martin Scorsese: A Kid From Little Italy To One Of The Greatest Of All Times
Taxi Driver. Raging Bull. Goodfellas. The Aviator. And most recently Killers Of The Flower Moon. Any director is lucky to make a masterpiece; Martin Scorsese has made several. If you look at any decade since he’s been working as a director, you can pick at least one movie from each one, and it will be on a list of masterpieces. You can ask most people who aren't cinephiles or even from America, and they know who he is. But why? What makes him so great and so renowned?
Martin Scorsese was born on November 17, 1942, in New York City's Queens borough. Growing up in the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Little Italy, Scorsese was deeply influenced by the Italian-American culture that surrounded him. These formative years would later play a significant role in his filmmaking, as the themes of family, identity, and moral ambiguity would emerge as recurrent motifs in his work. Scorsese was also born with intense asthma, so in order to get him out of the house his mom would take him to the movies. This is where his love affair with cinema began. This early immersion in film laid the foundation for what would become one of the most illustrious careers in the history of cinema.
Scorsese's directorial style is unmistakable. He is celebrated for his meticulous attention to detail, his innovative use of music (especially Gimmie Shelter by the Rolling Stones), and his penchant for character-driven narratives. One of his most significant contributions to cinema is the way he combines various cinematic techniques to create unforgettable experiences for audiences.
One of Scorsese's signature directorial touches is his use of music. He has a knack for selecting the perfect songs to enhance the emotional impact of a scene. His use of rock music in "Goodfellas" or blues music in "The Color of Money" are just two examples of how music can be a powerful storytelling tool in his films.
Furthermore, his camera work is distinctive, employing long tracking shots and fluid camera movements that immerse the audience in the story. Scorsese's unique framing and editing style (which you can thank his longtime collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker who has edited over 20 of his films) give his films a distinct visual flair. His collaboration with cinematographer Robert Richardson in movies like "Casino" and "Hugo" and more recently his work with cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto showcases the brilliance of his visual storytelling.
Scorsese's early films showcased his emerging talent and a unique vision. "Who's That Knocking at My Door" (1967) marked his feature film debut, introducing themes of guilt, identity, and morality that would become hallmarks of his later work. His collaboration with actor Robert De Niro (his first of 10 films) began with "Mean Streets" (1973), a gritty exploration of life in Little Italy that was lauded for its raw realism. But Scorses’s career took off with the release of "Taxi Driver".
Robert De Niro stars as Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran driving a taxi through the grimy streets of New York City. This psychological drama is an unflinching examination of urban alienation and personal descent into violence. It remains a classic in the realm of character-driven narratives, showcasing Scorsese's mastery in delving into complex psyches and his collaboration with De Niro, who delivered an unforgettable performance.
His status as an auteur and his collaboration with De Niro was sealed with Raging Bull. In "Raging Bull," Scorsese once again teamed up with Robert De Niro to create a cinematic masterpiece. The film portrays the tumultuous life of boxer Jake LaMotta, offering a visceral and intimate character study. Scorsese's direction and De Niro's transformative performance combined to create a work of art that earned both critical acclaim and Academy Awards."
Throughout the 80s, Scorsese made several films showcasing his range. Films like the heist sports drama "The Color of Money," starring Paul Newman (for which he won the Academy Award), and Tom Cruise, to the chaotic comedy "After Hours." But Scorsese returned to his element at the start of the 90s with "Goodfellas," which showcases his signature style marked by non-linear storytelling, captivating camera work, and a meticulously chosen soundtrack. The film's narrative structure weaves back and forth in time, immersing the audience into the life of Henry Hill, portrayed by Ray Liotta, and his transformation from an aspiring mobster to a jaded criminal. The ensemble of characters, including Robert De Niro's charismatic yet menacing Jimmy Conway and Joe Pesci's volatile Tommy DeVito, brings the gritty world of organized crime to life. Scorsese's direction and the cast's outstanding performances capture the complexity and moral ambiguity that define these characters, making "Goodfellas" an enduring classic in the crime genre and a testament to Scorsese's cinematic prowess.
Throughout the 90’s, Scorsese continued to make some of his best movies. 'Cape Fear' is a remake that improves upon what already worked in the 1962 film. 'Age of Innocence' saw Scorsese trending away from his usual style into a romantic drama. Then, he returned with 'Casino' in 1995, perfecting his crime storytelling with a greater sense of maturity (a preference shared by some over 'Goodfellas'). He continued this trajectory into the new millennium, changing his collaboration from De Niro to Leonardo DiCaprio, resulting in hits such as 'Gangs of New York,' 'The Aviator,' 'The Departed' (which earned Scorsese his first Best Director Academy Award), and 'Hugo' (a significant shift in style).
As of the 2020’s Scorsese has made two films.The Irishman (technically 2019 but we’ll loop it in for the 2020’s) and Killers Of The Flower Moon. Both films reunited the director with De Niro and showcased a sense of maturity in a man who must recognize that he is one of the greatest directors of all time but maintains a sense of humility because, for him, making movies is all about the passion.
Martin Scorsese's influence on the world of cinema is immeasurable. He has not only crafted timeless classics but also inspired generations of filmmakers to push the boundaries of storytelling, style, and technique. His commitment to preserving and promoting the history of cinema, particularly through his work with The Film Foundation, has solidified his place as a guardian of the medium. But ultimately, everything he has created stems from his love for cinema, a passion ignited when he was a kid from Little Italy going to the theater with his mom.
