Legendary director Martin Scorsese turned 78 yesterday -- and if you think that's old, don't forget that that's the age the next president will be when he's sworn in. I've made no secret out of the fact that he's my favorite filmmaker of all time. He's only made a few movies I didn't love -- New York New York, Kundun and Bringing Out the Dead and another I should probably revisit -- Silence -- but for the most part, he can do no wrong with me.
It's incredibly hard for me to pick favorites -- although I have a few -- and so I decided to be cutthroat and to come up with my top 10 list -- at least at the moment I'm writing this. These aren't necessarily his best films -- for instance, The Last Temptation of Christ is a very accomplished and challenging work that I really admire, but it's not a movie I would call a favorite.
These are the Scorsese 'pictures' that I am the most fond of and they demonstrate his formidable talent and unique worldview. Even though he often makes films about terrible men who do terrible things, he's at heart a humanist, and it's that dichotomy that makes his movies special and stand the test of time.
Ok, but no more throat clearing, here we go.
10) The Wolf of Wall Street - My 10 spot was hotly contested, and this one was very close. I could definitely put The Age of Innocence here or Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore or Mean Streets, but I find this film more entertaining and audacious than any of those movies. It's clearly his most divisive film, with many critics feeling like it did too good a job of romanticizing the trash people it documents. Agree to disagree. This vibrant and vulgar movie is an indictment of the Trumpism before Trumpism even took hold, and it features perhaps the loosest and therefore the most enjoyable of all of his collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio.
9) After Hours - A funky love letter to grimy '80s New York, this dark comedy is often the most unsung and overlooked film in Scorsese's oeuvre, but it's long been one of my favorites. A series of wacky vignettes that take place during one incredibly long, unlucky night for a schlub (played to perfection by Griffin Dunne) who just wanted to get laid. The 80s were an interesting, experimental time for Scorsese (see The Color of Money for his flamboyant style at the time) and this film demonstrates that he could do accessible funny movies if he wanted to.
8) Casino - A sprawling epic, teeming with information and bursting at the seams with a trio of great performances from Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone and a bit against type Robert De Niro as something of an uptight nerd. It's usually unfairly compared to GoodFellas, which is undeniably more of a crowd pleaser, but this film is also a rich tapestry and a bit of a history lesson of Las Vegas too. It's also, like so many of Scorsese's film, insanely funny -- despite featuring some of the most brutal violence of the filmmaker's career.
7) The Departed - A wildly popular hit and probably the most mainstream genre film Scorsese ever made - and that is a good thing. It gets dinged a bit for a cutesy ending and for winning him the Oscar instead of one of his more superior film, but c'mon, cop thrillers don't get much better than this. He has an incredibly stacked cast, with scene stealing turns from Mark Wahlberg (who earned a totally deserved nomination for his work here) and a batshit Jack Nicholson in what turned out to be his last great screen role. A whole mess of bloody fun.
6) The Irishman - It should be Scorsese's final word on the genre that made him famous -- the gangster film. Another sprawling epic -- exploring the corruption and charisma of Jimmy Hoffa (a wonderful Al Pacino) and the toll that a life of crime can take. So many rich details and performances (aided by fantastic de-aging technology). A surprisingly heartbreaking film that does the opposite of glamorizing the violent life. It's simply nothing short of a masterpiece and its totally earns it's infamously long running time.
5) Raging Bull - An exceptionally crafted film about a pathologically reprehensible person that somehow has a ton of heart and humanity. De Niro gives one of his all time great performances at the titular bull, boxer Jake La Motta whose obsessive, self destructive personality leads to his inevitable undoing. This is a film that has really grown on me over time. It's not quite a biopic or a sports movie, it's ultimately a commentary on fame, drive and hubris. Another masterpiece.
4) The King of Comedy - Probably more than any other movie he ever made, this one has really grown in stature, since it predicts a kind of obnoxious reality TV type unearned fame that has come to dominate American society. De Niro's performance as the clueless Rupert Pumpkin is a revelation, as is Sandra Bernhard as his sidekick. They play hopeless losers who believe they should be somebody, which is a phenomenon as American as apple pie. Jerry Lewis is used very effectively as their foil. A really fantastic film that deserves a bigger audience.
3) GoodFellas - This is one of those just unassailable perfect movies that everyone loves. It's hard to quibble with its power. It is simply (aside from The Godfather) the most appealing film ever made about the thrill or being a gangster. People sometimes overlook its bleak ending and revel in the high of the characters' rise, but isn't the movie's fault. One of the most quotable movies ever made, with the definitive Joe Pesci performance and some of the most virtuoso work of Scorsese's career.
2) Cape Fear - Scorsese's greatest attempt at pure pop entertainment, but that doesn't mean the movie doesn't have sophistication alongside its thrills. De Niro delivers one of his wildest characterizations and Nick Nolte is the perfect subversion of the classic leading man hero in this battle of wits between an attorney and a depraved client he once railroaded. Stylish and vivid -- this is one of those movies I am never bored by and can always get sucked into at the drop of a hat.
1) Taxi Driver - One of my favorite movies of all time. A perfect mix of top notch performances, vivid storytelling and arresting visuals. An undeniably disturbing film, that will and should remain relevant for years considering its takes on racial grievance and toxic masculinity. It's always been a film I return to and I always find new rich layers upon each viewing. It's pulpy to be sure but there's also a sadness to the proceedings. I think its the fullest expression of Scorsese's genius.
No comments:
Post a Comment