Last night was going to be movie night with my parents. We were all set to watch Mean Streets, one of Martin Scorsese's early films. I put the disk in and within the first few moments was pulled directly into the world of small time criminals. Not his best film, for sure, but a truly great film and very important in the history of the gangster genre. So at around the thirty minute mark my Dad paused the movie and asked me "would you mind if we stopped here, this is the worst movie I have ever seen." I have to say I was bit flabbergasted. My dad and I don't have very common taste, but the genre flicks of the mob have always been our common ground. My mom then pipped up that she just couldn't understand how anyone could possibly enjoy such a boring and snobby film. Snobby? Really? A movie about small time criminals with the social sophistication of a can of tuna?
This got me thinking about a few other friends of mine who mentioned not being able to sit through another of Scorsese's films, the more recent best picture recipient The Departed. They simply found it boring. I found this one even harder to believe. It is, after all, one of his more approachable films. And let me tell I do ever so love The Departed. I love it in that purely blockbuster, edge of my seat kind of way. Boring? Really?
And then there was the famous and similar scene with Goodfellas. But I think you get the idea. So I got to thinking about all the people in my life, who like me, see Scorsese as one the greats of modern American cinema. All of them are either film makers or students of film. I don't know anyone else if my life who actually likes Scorsese. Except my grandfather. He loves them. He even loves Gangs of New York, Scorsese's hands down worst picture. So what makes my grandfather, students of film, filmmakers and yours truly so in love with him? I think I will take some time to answer that question. I have a long answer in my head. Things about suspense, realism, verisimilitude and that stuff. But here is my question to you? If you count yourself among those who find Scorsese not so great, why?
Oh yes and to all my female readers, Happy International Women's Day. I was planning on writing a post about women directors and I promise that will be coming along shortly. Once again thanks to everyone for reading.
3 comments:
I don't think there is any kind of backlash against Scorsese, maybe just a lack of taste from the people you have talked to.
Scorsese is still every bit the world renowned filmmaker he has always been.
I agree Matt.
I am confused by this post sorry dude.
To both of you I must concede the point. I think I must have imagined this reality. After reading this post again I would say your both right and I had a temporary moment of insanity. And hello Nick I have actually read your blog before. Keep reading. I hope with time to make this blog a bit more professional and organized. Thanks to you both for comments.
Post a Comment