The creator of the masterpiece films “Taxi Driver”, “Angry Idol”, “The Good Children”, “The Years of Innocence” and so many other excellent productions, could have long ago settled in the “director’s chair”
THE Martin Scorsese he has not put a full stop in his long film career. In a few days he turns 80 and is expected to celebrate with his last wife Ellen, his three children and his good friends. It is unknown if the oldest of them all, Robert De Niro and the other “good guys” who contributed to his huge fame, will attend the festive table.
“The taxi driver”
Little Italy and breath
The creator of the masterpiece films “The Taxi Driver”, “The Angry Idol”, “The Good Children”, “The Years of Innocence” and so many other excellent productions, he could have long since settled in the “director’s chair” and enjoyed the accolades, accolades and adulation from critics and audiences alike. But that, it seems, will never happen, as the Italian-American director lives and breathes cinema. Literally, since the reason he loved the big screen was because of severe asthma, which plagued him since he was a toddler and was the reason he didn’t do any sports or wild boy games in “Little Italy”, Manhattan, discovering magic of the cinema, where his parents used to take him to forget his illness, but also the joys of his age.
The wretchedness of numbers
Scorsese remains an incurable lover of cinema and like most major filmmakers intervenes, as best he can, about the deplorable state of affairs in the US film studios. Recently, at the New York festival he stated emphatically: “Cinema is being devalued, degraded, reduced from all sides, and certainly as an art form. Since the 80s, a focus on numbers has started to be somewhat repulsive”, adding that he understands the production that expects some profit, but cannot accept, “I feel insulted that everything has become numbers” he said exactly.
Solid foundations
Martin Scorsese may have greatly influenced world cinema, he may have gained recognition – two or three sequences are enough to understand that the film you are watching is his – but he too got a solid foundation, watching and studying everyone the greats of the classic Hollywood era, Akira Kurosawa, the nouvelle vague, the giants of the post-war school in Italy, Michael Powell, who was his favorite director.
Contradictory
Like most important artists he is contradictory, as while he is deeply Roman Catholic, he had five marriages and the issue of divorce brought him against the Catholic Church, and he is also politically conservative, although this contradicts his work and the views he expresses . Also, it sure freaks out that he’s incurably prescient and especially with the number 11!
Drugs and Isabella
Also, his adventure with drugs is strange, from which he almost lost his life, if De Niro had not found him in a coma one night and sent him to the hospital, where the doctors saved him in “chuck”. It was in the late 70s, after his commercial – eleventh – film, ‘New York New York’, that he plunged headlong into drugs. He had serious psychological changes, which will also destroy his second marriage with the beautiful Isabella Rossellini.
But all this is of little importance in the face of his film work, which has spread out in grandeur over the last half century. That’s why it’s better to remember ten of his best films, ten golden pieces, which will forever adorn world cinema.
Taxi Driver (1976)
One of Scorsese’s first films, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, is a psychological drama that flirts with neo-noir and stars Robert De Niro. The scene in the mirror where De Niro asks himself “You talkin’ to me?”, then immediately pulls a gun and points it at him is iconic. Scorsese’s inexhaustible directorial energy makes the most of Paul Schroeder’s wonderful screenplay and delivers a film full of passion and reveals the boldness of a visionary filmmaker. Also starring Harvey Keitel, Jodie Foster and Sybil Shepherd.
Raging Bull (1980)
From the films that changed American cinema, with creative realism, advanced storytelling, innovative expressiveness and Robert De Niro giving his change, to perhaps the best performance of his life (Oscar for Best Actor) playing the famous boxer Jake La Motta and his story. From the bottom to the top and back to the bottom, to be the entertainer in a bar. The incredibly beautiful expressionist photography is by Michael Chapman, a close associate of Scorsese.
The King of Comedy (1982)
Bitter comedy that criticizes the voracious world of entertainment, starring De Niro and living legend Jerry Lewis in a surprise role, but also a tribute to the great entertainers of post-war America.
The Color of Money (1986)
Dramatic film, which is a sequel to the excellent film “The World is Mine” by Robin Rosen, with Paul Newman, who played the role in the first film, having grown up and also finding a new talent for billiards. Narrative accuracy fits perfectly with the passions that blind the two main characters. Next to Paul Newman the then promising young Tom Cruise.
Goodfellas (1990)
The famous two-and-a-half-minute opening mono-shot is enough to reveal the perfectionism of Scorsese, who in this gangster drama will harmoniously combine brutal violence with humor, his schizophrenic heroes with crime, stripping away all glamor and mystery the world of the mafia. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci the brilliant protagonists.
The Age of Innocence (1993)
Here, Scorsese dives into the period drama, bringing Edith Wharton’s classic novel to the big screen. Majestic metaphor, that excites the eye and makes the heart beat fast. Amazing art direction work and memorable performances from Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder.
Casino (1995)
Another mob movie, but this time Scorsese ups the ante, with a dizzying narrative that makes the viewer’s mind and eye spin faster than roulette. Masterfully edited by Scorsese’s close collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Kazantzakis’ book gives Scorsese the opportunity to talk about Christ, about the battle of the divine with the human, of desire with debt and of the spirit with the flesh. And of course to stand in sacrifice. Rare inspiration and the soundtrack written by Peter Gabriel, while Willem Dafoe in the role of Jesus, will record another great performance.
“Angry Idol”
The Departed (2006)
One of the paradoxes of Scorsese’s film history, as this typical gangster film, which may have its moments but is more like a blind shirt for the Italian-American director, will win his only Oscar for Best Director. The excellent leading trio consists of the veteran Jack Nicholson and the younger talented actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon.
The Irishman (2019)
Scorsese’s latest film is the epitome of his gangster work, as it condenses all the mafia world, giving an extra pessimistic tone. From bosses and amoral heroes to combiners and gunslingers, everyone has their place. As do the politicians who co-exist and are probably worse than the underworld. A slow-burning requiem, through the eyes of a pistol, another bearing in the mafia organization, who knows that he has lost the right to atonement, but asks for a small margin of forgiveness. Perhaps for the first time, Scorsese is more scathing about politicians than ever before. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro together, while Joe Pesci wins the impressions.
AMPE – Haris Anagnostakis
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
