Based on the acclaimed bestseller by David Grann, “Killers of the Flower Moon” The film adaptation is set in the 1920s in Oklahoma and tells the story of the serial murders of members of the Osage Nation, an indigenous town rich in oil. A series of brutal crimes that became known as the “Reign of Terror.”
As in most of the filmography of Martin Scorsese, the crime is just a side complement to a much deeper drama. In this case, it delves into the context of xenophobia. In addition, the innovative forensic science techniques that were implemented during the investigation are added to the story, which allowed the identification of those responsible for the homicides and promoted the creation of the FBI laboratory that J.Edgar Hoover created in 1932.
On the other hand, the New York filmmaker selected his two greatest fetish actors for this film. So much Leonardo Dicaprio as Robert De Niro They have been accompanying Scorsese for decades and were summoned to star in this latest film. Of course, it is not the first time that the two performers worked together, 30 years ago they shared the set with the period drama “The enemy” directed by Michael Caton-Jones and three years later they got together again “Marvin’s Room.”
In that creative microcosm where they belong De Niro, DiCaprio and Scorsesethe filmographic trajectory, which unites the actors with the director, is in favor of the protagonist of “Taxi Driver”. Robert DeNiro He has worked alongside the filmmaker on 10 feature films, starting the partnership with the police film “Mean Streets” in 1973, accompanied by another iconic actor in the filmography, Harvey Keitel. Until a few years ago, the last film that the New York duo collaborated on was “The Irishman”, sharing poster with Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and, once again, Harvey Keitel.
Instead, Leonardo Dicaprio was the artistic and creative renewal of the Italian-American director at the beginning of 2000. This latest release in cinemas around the world marks the sixth time that the star of ‘The wolf of Wall Street’ works with the legendary director. Speaking to The Irish Times, Scorsese made reference to his acting commitment and confessed: “Leo came up to me and asked, ‘Where is the heart of this story?’ He had had meetings and dinners with the Osage. “We felt like the real story wasn’t necessarily coming from outside, but from inside Oklahoma.”
Entering Martin Scorsese’s film universe requires viewing 26 feature films, 19 documentaries, 8 short films and 3 television films. Since his debut “Who is knocking on my door?”filmed in 1967, until this last installment for the world’s cinemas, the native of Little Italy I have carried out continuous film production for more than 50 years. For this reason, several specialists call him “the best American director in action.” A recognition that at the age of 80 is still in force and winning the main world cinema awards.
A precursor of the so-called New Hollywood of the late 60s, getting to know Scorsese’s narrative style is an educational study of the films of the American film industry in the last 50 years. Within that context, you can choose a handful of films classified as emblematic works of the seventh art. Taking into account certain qualities, five films can be recommended that are essential to recognize the living legend who renewed the American and world screen.
Mean Streets (1973)
Scorsese tells us how a young Italian-American, played by Harvey Keitel tries to join the New York mafia while his impulsive friend, brilliantly personified by Robert DeNiro, hinders the ascent. Perfect synthesis of what would be his later gangster films, more complex and extensive, but with the same skeleton and a sublime soundtrack. This film was the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino for his first forays into the big screen.
Raging Bull (1980)
Scorsese once again had Paul Schrader to achieve the miracle of “Taxi Driver”. In ‘Raging Bull’ we meet Jake the Mottapersonified by Robert De Niro and his brother, Joey, played by Joe Pesci, a duo formed by a boxer and a manager who make a very tough and dramatic biopic. The harsh rise and precipitous fall of a violent guy who, somehow, managed to escape from the well again. All shot in black and white, with the firmness of a Scorsese who, at that moment, was already a true master.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Scorsese’s biggest obsession is New York City. He wanted to dedicate a great work to her that, for 30 years, he tried to film without success. It was precisely at this point in his career when one of the great producers of the moment decided to bet on the gigantic script of Jay Cocks and put the Italian-American director to work. This film was Leonardo DiCaprio’s first collaboration in the filmmaker’s universe and in which he would become the new fetish actor for more than a decade.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
A 21st century Scorsese enjoyed the sins and excesses of the owners of the world in the 80s with this film based on the memoirs of Jordan Belfort. The script of Terence Winter served as a blueprint for the director to play with the acting skills of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie. One of the most awarded post-2000 films and perhaps DiCaprio’s most extreme and crazy.
Goodfellas (1990)
Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese himself signed the script for this perfect film adaptation about the life of Henry Hill. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and half of the cast of the six seasons that would haunt ‘The Sopranos’ a decade later, populate this magnificent gangster tale. And, according to viewers on numerous movie portals, it is Martin Scorsese’s best film.
Of course, we must mention other films that left their mark on the history of cinema and the production of this prolific author. “Taxi Driver”, “The King of Comedy”, “Cape Dread”, “Casino”, “The Departed” and “After Hours”are part of this list of recommendations so that we can enjoy, or enjoy again, a man whose gaze makes the viewer breathe cinema in all his pores.
You may also like
Image gallery
