MARTIN SCORSESE :
One of AMERICA's Most
Important Film Makers
by +Joshua A. TRILIEGI
This year, we will be given another
opus film by one of the greatest film
makers that America has ever created.
Strange and challenged experiences
in life seem to create great artists of
a major caliber.
+Martin Scorsese was a child entangled with sickness, born of Italian
parents in a tough neighborhood, he retreated into the great movie
houses of New York City, learned the craft of classic film making by
watching the great early American directors such as John Ford, John
Huston and Orson Welles. From the European masters, Mr. Scorsese
was influenced by Alfred Hitchcock, Luchino Visconti, Jean Renoir,
Michael Powell, Roberto Rosellini, Frederico Fellini, Andrzel Wajda &
Mizoguchi Kenji among others.
After creating a few exercises , which is often what first films can be,
he created what most feel is his first ' real film ' : MEAN STREETS.
Famously coached by Independent film maker & actor +John Casavettes,
who told Mr. Scorsese to go make a real film. And indeed he did.
Early on in the production New Yorkers began to hassle the young
director, 'There's nothing Mean about these streets.' , they shouted.
Early on, Mr. Scorsese attracted controversy and it has stayed with
him throughout his career. Taxi Driver and The last Temptation of
Christ, possibly creating the most amount of misunderstanding &
friction that only seemed to fuel his inspiration and also led to a good
deal of what we commonly call in the business: Free Advertising.
In 1974, while putting together, Alice doesn't live Here Anymore,
he approached +Ellen Burstyn for the role of Alice. While reviewing his
films up to that point Ms. Burstyn point blank asked the young director
if he knew 'Anything' about women, his answer ? 'No, but I'm willing
to learn'. The film went on to create accolades for both Ms. Burstyn,
her co star, Kris Kristofferson and a little known discovery: Jodie Foster.
Ms. foster would go onto a nomination for her role in Taxi Driver,
creating a backlash and more controversy for the Director. As well
as awards and acceptance from the global film community and
Hollywood critics.
In 1977, his love of early musicals, music always plays a big part in
any Scorsese production, led him to new York, New York, which was
again, out of synch with the public's taste, yet still and all, is a lavish
production.
In 1980, Mr Scorsese's relationship with +Robert De Niro led him to
direct the boxing film Raging Bull, which was a brutal and realistic
portrait of Jake La Motta. Shot in classic black & white, unheard of
at the time, winning an Oscar for his long time collaborator, Mr.
De Niro and soon to be stalwart Scorsese actor Joe Pesci, as well as
the discovery of actress Cathy Moriarty. The sound design is
phenomenal, each boxing match is shot with a variation, the
scenes in between the matches often, quiet & still, one can easily
see Mr. Scorsese's influence by the Italian Neo-Realists here: Visconti,
Rosellini and a love of the early boxing Films of the 1940's and 1950's.
I was honored to visit the Film Set of this production and had the
pleasure of lunching with Mr De Niro, meeting the real Jake La Motta
and viewing the master director at work with thousands of extras in
costume. Something I can only liken to watching Rembrandt paint
an oil painting in his studio one afternoon.
In 1983, Mr Scorsese took on the world of comedy's underbelly &
the aspects of fame that can lead to desperation, insanity and
obsession with The King of Comedy. +Jerry Lewis, Robert De Niro
and Sandra Bernhardt collide in this wacky, dark and uncomfortable
look at the sidelines of television and entertainment. A visionary work
that hints at where we are today with fans obsessive attachment to the
famous, rich and influential entertainers of television, music & filmmaking.
In 1985, Mr Scorsese directed one of the films that are sometimes
known as his smaller films: After Hours. A crazy, funny and Art House
hit that has comedic flare and wit, utilizing the art world, New York's
neighborhoods and a hipster paranoia that reminds one of films like,
'Its a mad, mad, mad, mad World'.
Also included in this category would be 1986' s The Color of Money,
which was a sort of Part Two to The Hustler, starring Paul Newman as
fast Eddie Felson and utilizing a rising young star +Tom Cruz. The film
was a comeback for Paul Newman and is a great piece of cinema that
takes us deep into the world of Pool Hall hustling & another early cameo
by the great actor +Forrest Whittaker. Mr Scorsese is a lot like Spike Lee,
in that they both court controversy and have a tendency to discover great
new talent: Sam Jackson for instance.
1988 brought us, The Last Temptation of Christ, which emblazoned a
sort of hysteria from christians which unfortunately marred the audiences
opinions against an otherwise thoughtful and interesting take on the
possibilities of the life of the man known as Jesus the Christ. It is ultimately
and interesting an thoughtful piece with an outstanding and inspired
performance by +Willem Defoe and guest performers such as +John Lurie
and +David Bowie. Mr Scorsese's casting choices are always a big part of
his creative collaboration and process. Universal Studios was demonized
for the movie, most of the protestors had never even seen the movie.
Mr Scorsese was somewhat surprised by the reaction.
In 1990, Martin Scorsese returned to the screen with what would be
considered an entire and utter Classic: GoodFellas. Up to this point
possibly his best film ever. A great script, performances by De Niro,
Pesci and +Ray Liotta that stand the test of time, a return to the Italian
American experience that Mr. Scorsese knows very well. Awards from
every important film organization and three of the big Academy
Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay.
In 1991. Mr Scorsese brought us a remake with Cape Fear. Another
strange, dark and menacing drama that pits +Jessica Lange and Nick
Nolte, whom the director had worked with in his section of a three
short story feature : New York Stories, which also starred a new face
on the screen: +Steve Buscemi of Boardwalk Empire fame.
In 1993, Mr Scorsese took on what might be considered his classic
film renditions. One can see his love of great classic films such as
Gone with the Wind in this film: The Age of Innocence. A giant colorful
tapestry laden with lush food, flowers, costumes and the beginning of
a great collaboration with actor +Daniel Day Lewis, who would return to
the Scorsese camp for Gangs of New York almost a decade later.
More Nominations: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, etc ...
In 1995, A return to the big Italian American genre that brought us
Mean Streets and Goodfellas, a completion of what may be considered
his italian trilogy, the epic film: CASINO. De Niro and Pesci return to
the scene as well as interesting casting choices like Don Rickles as a
casino pit boss, who would have thought of that ? An incredible and
tour de force performance by +Sharon Stone putting her front and center
as a powerful actress in top notch form, deserving of dollars & respect.
possibly one of his best films up to that point in his career. A classic
loved by all.
In 1997, Mr Scorsese, visits the asian inspired, Kundun. A tibetan
tale of struggle and politics that surround the tibetan country and
it's people. Some said he was out of his element here, but, even
when Mr Scorsese stretches his boundaries as he did here, there
is enough on the screen to inspire, teach and yes, entertain.
In 1999, Scorsese teams up with +Nicolas Cage in this adrenaline
fueled story of an ambulance driver and his nightmare like work
place: The streets of the big city. A sort of Taxi driver like return
to working class obsession and hallucination. Cage puts in a
performance of a lifetime, while John goodman watches his partners
slow descent into an insomnia induced insanity. The camera work
here is fabulous. Another street film that utilizes the city itself as
a character and even as the villain.
In 2002, a return to the big costume period film genre that was
hinted at with Age of Innocence, but this time with the proper
amount of guts and glory that seem to inspire this director and
satisfy his audience. A large and difficult film that combines historical
aspects of Scorsese's beloved New York City with the struggles of early
Americans, religion, politics and dramatic storytelling. With performances
by +Leonardo De Caprio, who will become one of Mr Scorsese's greatest
collaborators time and time again: The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter
Island and this years The Wolf of Wall Street. The Gangs of New York
is an epic tale that brings back Daniel Day Lewis in a terrifying performance
as Bill The Butcher with a Who's Who of acting from both American and
European Actors, straddling the dangerous territory of accents, costumes
and acting styles that are difficult to put on the screen in one entire production.
This is Mr. Scorsese as oil painter extraordinaire, his largest series to date.
A difficult challenge indeed. We begin to see Mr Scorsese's use of the digital
format utilized here in outrageous shots, set pieces and tunneling like
transformations from full shots high above the city to close ups entering
a characters pupils. This is the master film maker having a field day with
the best actors, designers & collaborators on the planet. Amazing.
Nominations All Around
In 2004, Mr Scorsese and De Caprio return to give us an inside look
at the much talked about life of Howard Hughes. An interesting film
with both Vegas, Hollywood and the insanity of being an artist, creator
and inventor as well as the burdens of success in all walks of the American
dream. A paranoid yet somehow innocent and success driven story with
interesting performances and some would say incongruous casting choices,
though still and all, great efforts by all involved. A dark, lush film shot
with a somber and rich palette. Mr Scorsese is an artist first, film maker
second, historian third. it shows here and this is a compelling film that
thrusts us into Hughes world, and leaves us at his door step at the very
end. Broken, battered, wondering. Nominations All Around.
In 2006, Mr Scorsese takes on the Irish Boston mob scene with
The Departed. Working with +Jack Nicholson, who was famously
cajoled by the likes of +Mark Wahlberg and De Caprio to participate
in this picture. A return to the Goodfella's like genre complete with
FBI Agents, Irish Gang Ethos and codes of conduct. This film is
driven mostly by great performances by both Wahlberg and De Caprio.
One can see there keen interest in the project and their enthusiasm
and ability carries the film up and over whatever limitations exist
within the written material. Best Director Awards across the board:
The Academy, Golden Globe, Everyone agrees Martin Scorsese is a
master film maker who tells stories that are true to America.
In 2010, Mr Scorsese and Leonardo De Caprio stay several steps
ahead of their audience in this strange, psycho drama of the old
school variety: Shutter Island. A head scratcher to say the least.
A psyche out of the Hitchcockian variety: Rear Window with Shutters
on it. Another dark and rather difficult film to view. Leonardo De Caprio
twisting and retching about in a manner reminiscent of his early and
incredibly naked performances such as his role in Gilbert Grape. Another
brave & discordant rendition that is probably a bit ahead of it's time.
Many of Mr Scorsese's films are decades ahead, creating entire genres
& a new crop of film makers who fill a certain void: Jim Jarmusch,
Spike Lee, Paul Thomas Anderson.
In 2011, Mr Scorsese utilizes the digital media to create a life long
dream project: HUGO. Which is a much more mainstream project
that catapults his popularity into the mainstream for audiences of
all ages. Over 35 nominations from film organizations around the
world recognize his talent, efforts and contributions.
Which brings us to 2013, The Wolf of Wall Street. Starring Leonardo
De Caprio, one of his greatest collaborators, based on a great book,
Mr. Scorsese always does well with adaptions. A story line that
Americans will indeed be interested in & already everyone is talking
about this film. We are looking froward to seeing it and you will find
a review on these pages. Of course the Documentaries have not been
mentioned in this appreciation, but Mr Scorsese is a fine and thorough
documentarian: Contributions to WoodStock, The Last Waltz, The Blues,
Shine a Light, + George Harrison and a slew of important short films.
Mr Scorsese is also the executive producer and pilot creator of important
cable film series such as Board Walk Empire on HBO Home Box office.
FOUR GREAT INTERVIEWS with ONE OF AMERICAS
GREATEST FILM MAKERS : MR. MARTIN SCORSESE
AND A SPECIAL PEAK at THE OSCAR CEREMONY
Mr Scorsese's list of favorite films:
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – Stanley Kubrick
8½ (1963) – Federico Fellini
Ashes and Diamonds (1958) – Andrzej Wajda
Citizen Kane (1941) – Orson Welles
The Leopard (1963) – Luchino Visconti
Paisan (1946) – Roberto Rossellini
The Red Shoes (1948) – Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger
The River (1951) – Jean Renoir
Salvatore Giuliano (1962) – Francesco Rosi
The Searchers (1956) – John Ford
Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) – Mizoguchi Kenji
Vertigo (1958) – Alfred Hitchcock
8½ (1963) – Federico Fellini
Ashes and Diamonds (1958) – Andrzej Wajda
Citizen Kane (1941) – Orson Welles
The Leopard (1963) – Luchino Visconti
Paisan (1946) – Roberto Rossellini
The Red Shoes (1948) – Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger
The River (1951) – Jean Renoir
Salvatore Giuliano (1962) – Francesco Rosi
The Searchers (1956) – John Ford
Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) – Mizoguchi Kenji
Vertigo (1958) – Alfred Hitchcock
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