Rebecca Miller’s “Mr. Scorsese” Offers Intimate Portrait of a Cinematic Titan
A new five-part documentary series, “Mr. Scorsese,” streaming on Apple TV+, delves into the life and work of acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, offering a fresh perspective on the filmmaker behind such iconic films as Raging Bull and Killers of the Flower Moon. Crafted by Rebecca Miller, the series emerges from over 20 hours of interviews and a unique connection forged during the production of Scorsese’s most recent work.
Miller first encountered Scorsese while visiting the set of Gangs of New York, where her husband, Daniel Day-Lewis, starred. She was immediately struck by his dedication. “He looked like a boy who hoped he had chosen the right way to film such a giant thing,” Miller recalled, adding that she was “thrilled by how much youthful energy he radiated.” This initial impression blossomed into a comprehensive exploration of the director’s career and inner world.
The documentary, according to reports from the Associated Press, encompasses 32 of Scorsese’s films – and acknowledges that even that number isn’t exhaustive, given the 82-year-old’s continued activity. His latest, Killers of the Flower Moon, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, premiered last year, with further projects already in development.
Central to the series is Scorsese’s own introspection. He grapples with fundamental questions about humanity, asking, “Who are we? That is, what are we as human beings? Are we good or bad at heart?” He admits, “It’s a struggle. I struggle with it all the time.” This willingness to confront complex themes is a hallmark of his work and a key focus of Miller’s documentary.
The project began during the coronavirus pandemic, initially envisioned as a standard two-hour documentary accompanying the production of Killers of the Flower Moon. However, the scope quickly expanded to five hours of footage, a testament to the depth of Scorsese’s experiences and insights. Miller explained her approach, stating she wanted to “approach it a bit cubistically, to illuminate him from different angles, to ask about his co-workers and family.” She found that Scorsese readily engaged, often responding as if already in the midst of filming.
Scorsese himself has a history of documentary filmmaking, having previously interviewed his parents in the 1974 film Italianamerican and explored his influences in Martin Scorsese in the Role of an American Film Guide and My Journey to Italy during the 1990s. These earlier works, the AP notes, lean towards “imaginary memories,” lacking the autobiographical depth of a traditional memoir, which Scorsese has never penned.
The series features interviews with a constellation of Scorsese’s frequent collaborators, including editor Thelma Schoonmaker, screenwriter Paul Schrader, and actors Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Daniel Day-Lewis. It also incorporates perspectives from his children, former wives, and friends from his childhood in New York’s Little Italy, including Salvatore Uricola, whose persona inspired a character in Dirty Streets.
DiCaprio, appearing in the final episode, lauded Scorsese’s singular talent, stating, “Martin Scorsese was absorbed by film at a young age and never let go. There was no one like him before him and there won’t be again.” Director Steven Spielberg echoed this sentiment, adding that it now seems obvious someone with Scorsese’s talent would be given the space to create meaningful work.
However, the documentary doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges Scorsese faced throughout his career. Miller points out that “each film had to fight for itself,” navigating commercial failures and controversies surrounding films like Taxi Driver and The Last Temptation of Christ. The series serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated artists encounter obstacles and periods of uncertainty.
Miller describes the experience of working so closely with Scorsese as a profound learning opportunity, ultimately adopting his editing style for the series. “Being so close to his works, you feel like you’re breathing the same air,” she explained, adding that Scorsese continued to share film recommendations, including Shohei Imamura’s 1963 Japanese classic, A Record of Japanese Insects.
Critics have praised the series for its fresh perspective, noting Scorsese’s candidness about his failures and self-deprecating humor, as highlighted by the BBC. The Guardian acknowledged the series’ willingness to address Scorsese’s past on-set outbursts, while also noting a relative lack of focus on his more recent work, with films like Hugo overlooked. Despite this, the Guardian recommends the series as “five hours of fun” for film enthusiasts.
“Mr. Scorsese” offers a compelling and intimate look at a cinematic master, revealing not only the evolution of his artistry but also the enduring questions that drive his work. It’s a testament to a career defined by both innovation and a relentless pursuit of truth, both on and off the screen.
