By: Sam Hepburn

Martin Scorsese stands as one of the most impactful filmmakers in cinema. From “Mean Streets” to his new upcoming film “What Happens At Night”, Scorsese’s career is something to note.

Born in 1942 in Flushing, New York, Martin Scorsese would soon move to Little Italy, New York. In his youth, he became obsessed with films. He spent much of his time imagining stories and drawing storyboards. In his youth, he would also find inspiration for his future films, coming from the conditions in his neighborhood. 

Scorsese pursued filmmaking by attending New York University’s School of Film in the early to mid 1960’s. During this time, he would make many short films, the most notable being “The Big Shave”. 

Years later, Scorsese would debut his breakout film, “Mean Streets”. In this 1973 cult classic, a story set in Little Italy, New York. Using his youth and experiences with young-hoods, criminals, and locals, in the neighborhood as inspirations. This film would begin the long-time creative partnership with Robert De Niro. 

 After the commercial and critical success of “Mean Streets”, Scorsese would next direct a romantic comedy drama in 1974, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”. This film would end up breaking box office records at that time. In 1976, Scorsese would make cinema history with“Taxi Driver”. Starring Robert De Niro, it tells the story of Travis Bickle, a deeply troubled and lonely Vietnam veteran. Scorsese drew inspiration for the film out of his own feelings of deep loneliness and alienation. The film’s dark atmosphere, with a narrative starring a troubled individual, would establish how Scorsese isn’t afraid to push cinema’s boundaries. 

In the 1980s, things declined for Scorsese. After the passing of his mentor Haig Manoogian, addiction struggles, depression, and hospitalization for internal bleeding. Scorsese thought his career was over. However, Robert De Niro convinced him to make “Raging Bull”, based on the memoir of boxer Jake LaMotta. While the film underperformed, it brought back Martin’s love for filmmaking. Giving him motivation to keep going. 

After his triumphant return to filmmaking throughout the 1980s. Scorsese would make “Goodfellas” (1990). This film would be labeled by audiences as one of his greatest films, while also being considered one of the greatest films in cinema history. 

Fast forward to the early 2000s through 2010s, Scorsese’s career is still thriving. At this time he has found a new creative partner in Leonardo Dicaprio. Notable films they have together are“The Aviator” (2004), “The Departed” (2006) , “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013), and the most recent “Killers of The Flower Moon”(2023). News has also been released that they will work together again for a new film called, “What Happens At Night”, Based on the 2020 novel of the same name, by Peter Cameron. 

Brayden Thompson, long time movie fan was interviewed on his opinion on the longevity of Scorsese’s career. “It’s really amazing how long he’s been in the film industry”, Thompson said. “I couldn’t imagine what cinema would be like without him in it.”   

Overall, Martin Scorsese is one of the most important filmmakers in the history of cinema. Throughout his career he kept true to his creative vision and never gave up when times were tough. No matter what critics say about his films, he decides to stick with his gut and push the boundaries of cinema even more. With his new film preparing to start filming this spring, now is the best time to look back and appreciate how far his career has gone. 

Image by : Hollywoodreporter.com