Welcome to the new decade, directed by none other than Martin Scorsese. Our journey through the 2020s begins with a bang as Scorsese presents “Killers of the Flower Moon” – a sprawling crime drama that not only marks one of the most expensive movies of his illustrious career, but also showcases his meticulous craftsmanship and lifelong fascination with themes of faith, family, and forgiveness. With every dollar spent visible onscreen, this film truly embodies what sets a “Martin Scorsese Picture” apart from the rest.
This latest endeavor is Scorsese’s 26th narrative feature, adding to his already impressive body of work that spans an astonishing five decades. Throughout his career, he has dabbled in short films, documentaries, and even television episodes. While many lists have attempted to rank his diverse filmography, I believe that selecting the five essential Scorsese pictures is only fair when done on a decade-by-decade basis. For me, this quintet perfectly encapsulates the essence of a Scorsese film, setting them apart from the crowd.
The ’70s: “Taxi Driver”
Only five films into his career, Scorsese achieved a creative fusion that most filmmakers aspire to for a lifetime. “Taxi Driver” represents the synergistic collaboration of three remarkable artists – screenwriter Paul Schrader, star Robert De Niro, and Scorsese himself. Their combined efforts give birth to a cohesive and eerily realistic portrayal of Travis Bickle’s dystopian vision of Manhattan as a hell on Earth. Spending two hours immersed in Travis’s mind and seeing the world through his disturbed eyes leaves viewers deeply unsettled. Yet, I find myself returning to this iconic film every few years, drawn to the madness as seen through that infamous rearview mirror.
Runner-up: “The Last Waltz” is an exquisitely perfect concert film, overflowing with joy and vibrant energy.
Stream “Taxi Driver” on Prime Video and Vudu.
The ’80s: “The Last Temptation of Christ”
With his Catholic upbringing and early aspirations for priesthood, it was inevitable that Scorsese would make a film centered around Jesus. However, “The Last Temptation of Christ” delves deeper into the idea of belief in the divinity of a mortal man. Scorsese’s characters consistently confront the harsh realities of their existence due to their own choices. Therefore, when his portrayal of Christ is tempted with an alternate path and a life of ease, his decision to proceed with his fate only solidifies his inherent divinity. Though I am not religious, the closing moments of “Last Temptation,” accompanied by Peter Gabriel’s soaring score, provide a glimpse into the yearning and fervor that drives believers.
Runner-up: “Life Lessons,” Scorsese’s contribution to the underappreciated anthology “New York Stories,” serves as a distilled version of “Raging Bull” – a portrait of an artist consumed by self-destruction.
Rent or purchase “The Last Temptation of Christ” on Prime Video and Vudu.
The ’90s: “The Age of Innocence”
While “Goodfellas” may be the obvious choice from Scorsese’s films in the ’90s, I believe “The Age of Innocence” is a daring and profound achievement, albeit less endlessly rewatchable. By adapting Edith Wharton’s tale of Gilded Age New York, Scorsese explores the passions that his 20th-century characters often suppress, only for them to erupt at inconvenient and potentially disastrous moments. This film presents us with a protagonist tempted to forsake duty in pursuit of love, but unlike the films before, there is no grand prize awaiting him on the other side of that decision – only the weary realization that life is an ephemeral collection of fleeting moments, forever lost once they pass.
Runner-up: “My Voyage to Italy” serves as Scorsese’s heartfelt love letter to the Italian films that shaped his artistic sensibilities, while also acting as a vivid reminder of his role as one of our most important cinematic historians.
Rent or purchase “The Age of Innocence” on Prime Video and Vudu.
The ’00s: “The Departed”
After grappling with complex and occasionally unwieldy mega-productions like “Gangs of New York” and “The Aviator” in the early 2000s, Scorsese found unexpected success with “The Departed.” Initially skeptical due to his limited personal connection to the source material – the riveting Hong Kong thriller “Infernal Affairs” – and the setting of Boston, Scorsese’s detachment turned out to be his greatest asset. With expert craftsmanship, he meticulously pieces together every element of the film, from Jack Nicholson’s manic performance to screenwriter William Monahan’s brilliantly on-point final shot. “The Departed” showcases Scorsese’s ability to demonstrate that art can be commercially successful, and commerce can be a work of art.
Runner-up: Let’s compromise and acknowledge the brilliance of the opening scene in “Gangs of New York” and the final scene in “The Aviator.”
Rent or purchase “The Departed” on Prime Video and Vudu.
The ’10s: “Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese”
Scorsese and Dylan took a straightforward approach in their first collaboration, the 2005 documentary “No Direction Home,” which focused on the early years of Dylan’s career. Fast forward to the hazy days of the ’70s, and both artists intertwine fact and fiction until the line blurs. By blending real footage from Dylan and his band’s Rolling Thunder Revue tour with authentic and fabricated present-day interviews, Scorsese playfully dismantles the lingering myths about that era, buoyed by historically accurate documents such as Scorsese’s own “The Last Waltz.” This mischievous blend of truth and fantasy leaves viewers questioning the legitimacy of the self-important rockumentary genre. Based on “Rolling Thunder Revue,” Scorsese’s inevitable exploration of Dylan’s “Jesus years” promises to be an imaginative masterpiece.
Runner-up: While “Hugo” may be slightly lengthy for a children’s movie, it is an absolute delight to witness Scorsese presenting a personal account of the birth of cinema.
Stream “Rolling Thunder Revue” on Netflix.
