Martin Scorsesewho turns 80 today, is one of the most important directors in Hollywood and had his moment of splendor during the 70s, in which was one of the seminal names in New Hollywood along with Brian de Palma, Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich, among others.
Scorsese was heavily influenced by Italian cinema and also by the Nouvelle VagueFor this reason, from his cinema, he supported the author’s theory and created a world marked by the great presence of New York, by tormented characters, by gangsters, by the world of money and also by the presence of the family.
Over the years he has created a formidable filmography that demonstrates his eclecticism as a director, given that he has experimented with films of various genres and has worked with an endless number of actors and actresses, even if Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio occupy the top positions of its lists of fetish artists.
Next, 5 essential films of Scorsese’s filmography.
Taxi Driver (1976)
For many his great masterpiece and also one of the films that defined the New Hollywood. Robert De Niro plays a taxi driver, an ex-combatant, who roams the New York suburbs and juggles prostitutes, thieves, drug dealers and other characters who live on the fringes. With an extraordinary narration, screenplay by Paul Schrader, unforgettable music and an interesting socio-political approach, Taxi driver It has risen to the podium of the most important films in the history of cinema.
Currently available on Netflix.
Goodfellas (1990)
Scorsese opened the 90s with this unforgettable gangster film, perhaps the most successful of his career on this subject. With an all-star cast starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvinothe film tells the story of a young man who rises in the world of the mafia. A film that contains all the key seasonings to reach a large audience and captivate even the most exquisite audience and which has become a true gangster movie classic..
Currently available on HBO Max.
The Aviator (2004)
This is a biopic about the life of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes. Set during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the film delves into the neuroses of this fascinating character, for whom DiCaprio gave an outstanding performance. The Oscar-winning film showcased an unusual side of Scorsese, focusing on a drama heavily focused on the complex psychology of its leading lady, while also showing the interstices of Hollywood from the 1920s to the 1940s..
The Comedy King (1983)
New York again has a leading role in Scorsese’s cinema in this film which had a strong influence Joker (2019). De Niro plays a man obsessed with becoming a famous comedian, immersing us in the world of comedy in the Big Apple. This is one of the gems that Scorsese delivered in the 80s and contains the squalor of the characters, madness and atmosphere as well as an intense thriller pace..
Currently available on HBO Max.
Raging Bull (1980)
In this film, De Niro developed one of the great roles of his career, playing middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, a role that earned him the Best Actor Award at the Academy Awards. In Wild bull the director manages to cover all aspects of the boxer’s life, presenting him with nuances and at the same time telling a fascinating story. In this film, Scorsese also demonstrates his mastery of developing fight scenes.
Currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
