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Martin Scorsese’s Pictures, Part 2
Continuing on with my reviews of Martin Scorsese’s pictures, we hit his somewhat erratic period, highlighted by what I believe is his best film.
Catch my reviews of his earliest films here.
New York, New York (1977): This is a type of movie that, for better or worse, Scorsese specializes in: the great flawed film. This uneasy medley of old Hollywood-style musical numbers and more modern-style angst never comfortably settles into a groove, mainly because De Niro’s rough-and ready Method seems so out of place. Thankfully, moments of brilliance shine through, with Liza Minnelli giving her last great (and her greatest) performance, uncannily channeling her mom, Judy Garland. GRADE: B+
The Last Waltz (1978): I was never a particular fan of The Band, but Scorsese’s savvy filming of their farewell concert makes me a convert for at least a couple of hours. And remember, this film should be played loud. GRADE: A
Raging Bull (1980): After barely surviving some rough personal trauma, Scorsese threw everything he had into the making of this movie, and wow, does it show. His incredibly visceral and kinetic style is thrilling in depicting the internal and external battles of middleweight champion boxer Jake La Motta. He may have been a despicable lout, but as portrayed by De Niro, in the single greatest screen performance of the past 30 years, you can’t take your eyes off him. One of the 10 best films of all time. GRADE: A+
The King of Comedy (1983): After the workout of “Raging Bull,” Scorsese and De Niro threw this change-up, which is startlingly insular by comparison. The director’s usually active cameras are unnervingly still, as they focus on a man so desperate for fame, he kidnaps the object of his adulation, Jerry Lewis. Fine performances make for a fascinating if not altogether successful experiment. GRADE: B+
After Hours (1985): This coal-black comedy is not one of Scorsese’s better-known films, but it’s his funniest. And it’s also the movie that turned me on to the director. He follows Griffin Dunne on an NYC journey through hell that would made the creator of Murphy’s law shake his head in amazement. GRADE: A
Wednesday: Reviews of “The Color of Money,� “The Last Temptation of Christ,� “Life Lessons,� “Goodfellas,� “Cape Fear� and “The Age of Innocence.�
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By MisterG
October 3, 2006 7:01 PM | Link to this
Scorsese at his worst is better than most “normal” directors. He manages to elicit performances from actors that others, both director and actor alike, can only dream about.