Among movie enthusiasts, there may be numerous points of contention, but something I believe we can all find common ground on is that Martin Scorsese stands among the cinematic titans.
Since the 1960s, the man has consistently produced films. Although there might be disagreement on whether he’s ever made a poor film, it’s safe to say that some of his work qualifies as extraordinary masterpieces, while others may not quite measure up. Regardless, it can be acknowledged that he’s never had an ordinary decade in terms of his cinematic output.
As a film enthusiast, it’s mind-blowing to ponder over the fact that this director has been crafting movies for close to six decades! Now, while he didn’t exactly burst onto the scene with an instant masterpiece, I firmly believe his career has been nothing short of impressive throughout. But
Well, It’s Certainly Not The ‘60s, That’s For Sure
If you’re looking for a decade that doesn’t shine as Martin Scorsese’s strongest, it would be the ’60s. This is primarily due to the fact that he only directed one film during this period – “Who’s That Knocking at My Door?” from 1967. It’s worth noting that while Scorsese’s debut film isn’t exceptional, it certainly isn’t poor either. In fact, being just good is by no means a bad thing!
In this film, I played a key role as a character portrayed by Harvey Keitel in his breakout role. Alongside Zina Bethune, we tell the story of a devout Catholic man who encounters a woman expressing her desire for intimacy. To preserve her purity and honor their future marriage, he declines. However, upon discovering that she had been intimate with another man (not by her own choice), his feelings toward her change dramatically. This plot may strike some as outdated or uncomfortable in today’s context, but the strong acting performances and engaging pacing make it an intriguing watch nonetheless.
Yes, it’s true that Martin Scorsese did direct a documentary back in ’66 called “New York City…Melting Point“. However, this film was primarily for educational purposes and wasn’t meant to be compared with his subsequent, more impactful documentaries.
Absolutely! In my view, the 1960s served as a launching pad for Martin Scorsese’s career. Fortunately, he kicked off the following decade with an explosive burst of energy, and since then, he’s been unstoppable.
The ‘70s Are A Good Contender
I hold a soft spot for films from the ’70s; it’s the era of cinema I find most captivating. Not long ago, I penned a piece about my top pick from that decade, and there aren’t many directors who can rival Scorsese when it comes to producing classics. Frankly, one could even propose that his greatest work stemmed from this period, and I wouldn’t dispute that claim.
Starting off, he encountered some difficulties initially. In the year 1972, he helmed the Roger Corman-produced “Boxcar Bertha,” a film that many Martin Scorsese enthusiasts might not have had the chance to watch. Fortunately, his subsequent work was the critically acclaimed “Mean Streets” from 1973, featuring Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel. Remarkably, this movie remains engaging even today!
In 1974, we were fortunate to have the release of the underrated comedy-drama “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” starring Ellen Burstyn and Kris Kristofferson. That same year also brought his concert film with The Band titled “The Last Waltz.” What a year it was! Fast forward to 1976, Martin Scorsese delivered one of his finest works (and my personal favorite of his) – “Taxi Driver.” This film tells the story of a deeply troubled individual and remains relevant even today.
In the last ten years of his career, Scorsese made his third collaboration with Robert De Niro, the 1977 film “New York, New York”. This movie showcased De Niro as an abusive musician and Liza Minnelli as a promising singer. Consequently, the ’70s proved to be a significant decade for Scorsese’s work.
But The ‘90s Were A Real High Point
It’s commonly believed by many that the 1990s were Martin Scorsese’s most productive decade, largely due to the fact that he began it with what is widely regarded as his finest work, “Goodfellas.” While it may not have been the best film of the ’90s, it certainly comes very close.
The lock refers to a specific event, but the following years of the decade were also significant. For instance, the year after that, we saw the remake of Cape Fear in 1991. In 1993, an underappreciated adaptation of The Age of Innocence was released, which I plan to write about at some point. And by 1995, Casino had come out (although this is between us, but I prefer Casino over Goodfellas).
In regards to Casino, there may be a potential problem. To clarify, I don’t dislike Kundun from 1997, which centers around the Dalai Lama (and let me reiterate, I don’t dislike any of Scorsese’s movies). Nevertheless, if pressed to pinpoint one flaw in Scorsese’s filmography, it would be this particular film. It appears to lack the depth that one might expect from its source material. To put it simply, the movie is acceptable.
Additionally, while some may appreciate it, I find 1999’s “Bringing Out the Dead,” starring Nicolas Cage as a tired paramedic, to be less impactful compared to other works in the ’90s by Martin Scorsese. Personally, I believe films like “Kundun” detract from the strength of his ’90s portfolio, making me question whether that decade was Scorsese’s most impressive.
Surprisingly, Both The 00s And The 2010s Have Been Close To His Best
Remarkably, Scorsese’s career flourished during the 2000s, producing three highly acclaimed films. Not only were these movies well-received, but some critics even considered them exceptional. Additionally, he produced a number of documentaries, and among those, two stand out as potential highlights in his esteemed body of work: “No Direction Home: Bob Dylan” and the Rolling Stones concert film, “Shine a Light,” which have been praised for their quality.
Regarding features, we have three films: “Gangs of New York” (2002), “The Aviator” (2004), and “The Departed” (2006). These include some of Scorsese’s notable works, with “The Departed” being the one for which he received Best Picture and Best Director awards. However, it’s the limited number of films he produced during that decade that makes me hesitate to label the 2000s as his best.
The 2010s decade opened with “Shutter Island,” a movie that furthered Scorsese’s collaboration with DiCaprio. We were then treated to the captivating children’s film “Hugo” in 2011, along with the intriguing George Harrison documentary titled “Living in the Material World.” In 2013, my top pick among DiCaprio films was released – “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and in 2016, I found myself enamored with “Silence” during each viewing. Lastly, in 2019, we were gifted the engrossing gangster film “The Irishman.
Speaking about the 2020s, we’ve only received one movie thus far, which is the intriguing “Killers of the Flower Moon,” released in 2023. In my opinion, it might be difficult to surpass Martin Scorsese’s productivity and diversity in filmmaking during the 2010s. After all, he tackled a wide range of subjects with such depth and intensity throughout that decade. However…
Scorsese’s Best Decade Has To Be The ‘80s
In my opinion, labeling the ’80s as Scorsese’s finest decade is intriguing, considering he might not necessarily agree with that himself. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the essence of what makes Scorsese exceptional can be found within the 1980s.
He began the decade on a powerful note, mirroring the ’90s, as he released what many consider his second-best film, “Raging Bull.” However, in 1982, fortune turned sour. His movie, “The King of Comedy,” was a major flop at the box office. Nevertheless, over time, it has gained appreciation and is now my second favorite Scorsese film, trailing closely behind “Taxi Driver.
In 1985, we obtained Martin Scorsese’s lesser-known masterpiece, the comedy “After Hours.” The following year, we were treated to “The Color of Money,” a film that stands out as one of the best performances for both Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. However, it is 1988’s deeply personal “The Last Temptation of Christ” that truly sets Scorsese apart. This movie is not only one of his most captivating (though arguably divisive) works.
Despite the fact that this decade only includes five movies and no documentaries, I firmly believe it was Scorsese’s most powerful and diverse one across his whole career. Furthermore, each film from this period could be considered a masterpiece, with “The King of Comedy” standing out as particularly resonant today, perhaps even more so than before.
But, what do you think is Scorsese’s best decade? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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2025-08-21 12:10