We’re fortunate to have Martin Scorsese. Whereas I am certain opinions fluctuate and there will be some wholesome debate on the topic, in my humble opinion, Scorsese is our greatest dwelling filmmaker. Hell, I would even wish to take it a step additional and counsel he is the best filmmaker of all time. Sound hyperbolic? I actually do not care. A movie obsessive usually imitated and by no means duplicated, Scorsese is probably not probably the most financially profitable member of the New Hollywood period that reshaped American cinema, however the case will be made that he is the perfect.
Nonetheless going sturdy at 82 (his most up-to-date characteristic, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” is a full-blown masterpiece), Scorsese’s life and profession will get the docuseries remedy within the type of “Mr. Scorsese,” an Apple TV+ sequence helmed by Rebecca Miller. The outcomes are charming and insightful, though to be honest, for those who’re a Scorsese nerd like me, there’s not a complete lot revealed right here that you simply seemingly have not heard earlier than.
However even for those who’re well-versed in Marty lore, “Mr. Scorsese” hammers house the purpose that Scorsese is one among a sort, an immensely gifted filmmaker who understands films (and their energy) greater than seemingly anybody else. The docuseries would not attempt to diagnose him, and I am no medical skilled, however the not-so-subtle implication that pops up time and time once more right here is that Scorsese may be clinically obsessive-compulsive in regards to the artwork of constructing films. The filmmaker is entrance and heart all through the docuseries, providing up often humorous commentary on his lengthy profession and it is ups and downs. A lot of his closest collaborators are readily available too, most notably longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker and naturally his two most frequent main males, Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio (the best way Miller introduces De Niro into the doc on the finish of episode 1, full with a Rolling Stones needle-drop, is so pleasant that I discovered myself giddy). “Mr. Scorsese” is probably not probably the most revealing of documentaries, nevertheless it does function a loving tribute to top-of-the-line of the perfect.
Mr. Scorsese provides us the complete Martin Scorsese origin story
A small, sickly child born to Italian immigrants in a model of New York Metropolis that does not even exist anymore, Scorsese got here to the films by way of both destiny or likelihood, take your choose. As “Mr. Scorsese” underscores, Scorsese has lengthy suffered from bronchial asthma (we really see him take a blast from his inhaler at one level throughout an interview). When he was a child dwelling in a tenement constructing, the summers have been significantly brutal for younger Marty — the warmth made it arduous to breathe and the Scorsese house did not have air-con (most properties did not in these days).
One place that did have air-con, nonetheless, was the movie show. So when summers would roll in, Scorsese’s father would take him to the films to flee the warmth and assist his lungs. An obsession was born, as Scorsese turned enraptured with the transferring picture. (Throughout this reveal, Miller cuts to an interview with filmmaker Spike Lee, who hilariously sums issues up by proclaiming, “Thank God for bronchial asthma!”)
As Scorsese recounts his origin story, he additionally provides us a beautiful little element about his childhood affect on his cinematic fashion. Since his bronchial asthma had him caught inside rather a lot as a child, he would spend hours gazing out the window of his household condominium down on the streets under. “That is why I like high-angle pictures,” Scorsese says, at which level Miller well cuts in a sequence of memorable high-angle pictures from Scorsese’s movies. It is like a key opening a lock on a door, revealing a complete new world.
Mr. Scorsese walks us by way of the director’s unimaginable filmography
“Mr. Scorsese” follows a fairly commonplace life-story format, monitoring Scorsese’s childhood, his NYU movie faculty days, and his journey to Hollywood. Perpetually the outsider, Scorsese did not fairly slot in out in LA and would after all head again to New York. His profession would begin off small with a pupil movie (“Who’s That Knocking at My Door”), an modifying (and a few would argue co-directing) gig on the documentary “Woodstock,” and work with the legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman (“Boxcar Bertha”). However some much-needed recommendation from impartial movie auteur John Cassavetes made Scorsese notice he should not simply be a filmmaker for rent — he ought to be making films that truly meant one thing to him. And so he made “Imply Streets,” the movie that first teamed him with De Niro and set him on a path to change into one of many best American moviemakers of all time.
From right here, “Mr. Scorsese” speed-runs by way of the filmmaker’s acclaimed profession. The movies that may be thought of his main works get probably the most consideration, whereas others are solely briefly touched upon (for instance, “After Hours,” a movie that has acquired some much-deserved reappraisal because it first opened within the ’80s, feels a bit underserved right here). Alongside the best way, there are many great little anecdotes, corresponding to how the cocaine use working rampant on the set of the quasi-musical “New York, New York” helped spell that movie’s doom. A substantial period of time can be dedicated to the spiritual backlash that arose round “The Final Temptation of Christ.”
De Niro is characteristically reserved about their collaborations, however the doc actually underscores how necessary and important their relationship was and is (De Niro bringing Scorsese “Raging Bull” is highlighted as a sort of life-saving second, with the actor imploring the filmmaker to provide the mission a shot whereas Scorsese was laid-up within the hospital as a result of sickness attributable to drug dependancy). The doc additionally hammers house the truth that Scorsese’s teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio primarily revitalized the good filmmakers profession — after a string of field workplace flops had him on the ropes, working with a giant star like DiCaprio enabled Scorsese to lastly get his ardour mission “Gangs of New York” off the bottom and started a partnership that might result in a few of Scorsese’s largest monetary hits.
A celebration of Martin Scorsese
Once more: When you’re a Scorsese obsessive, you seemingly know most if not all of this already. However these are nonetheless enjoyable tales to hearken to, and the best way the docuseries intercuts footage from Scorsese’s movies solely enhances the expertise. “Mr. Scorsese” is clearly extra within the director’s work than his private life, though that is to not say it ignores biographical particulars. Scorsese’s numerous marriages are touched upon, and all three of his daughters sit for interviews right here (Francesca, Scorsese’s youngest daughter, has change into a celeb in her personal proper lately because of her humorous social media presence, however I wish to give a nod to Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, who comes throughout right here as a genuinely candy and caring individual; I wished extra moments together with her).
Finally, your enjoyment of “Mr. Scorsese” will boil all the way down to how a lot you take pleasure in Mr. Scorsese’s work. I doubt something right here will abruptly convert one among his detractors, though Miller and the folks she interviews do remind us repeatedly why Scorsese is such a giant deal. However for those who’re a dyed-in-the-wool Scorsese-head (like me!), “Mr. Scorsese” is like catnip. It is quick, it is humorous, it is even a bit of melancholy (how can it not be? Scorsese is in his 80s, and the day he leaves us will mark a tragic loss for cinema). However most of all, “Mr. Scorsese” is a celebration of our best dwelling filmmaker and a affirmation that we’re fortunate to have skilled his artwork.
/Movie Score: 7 out of 10
“Mr. Scorsese” is streaming on Apple TV+ beginning October 17, 2025.