‘Mr. Scorsese’ Review: An Unbalanced, but Insightful Portrait of a Master Filmmaker

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Martin Scorsese is remarkably at ease on camera, and a friend once playfully said he’s never met a camera he didn’t like—which is great for movie lovers. This isn’t just about his brief appearances in other directors’ films, whether playing himself or a small role. It’s also his genuine enthusiasm for sharing his passion and knowledge of cinema with the world. All of this contributes to why, though it may sound like an exaggeration, he’s considered one of America’s most important filmmakers.

Rebecca Miller’s film, *Mr. Scorsese*, isn’t a traditional documentary but rather a portrait of the director’s life and career. Across five episodes, Miller covers a vast amount of ground, from the formative stories of Scorsese’s childhood – which shaped films like *Who’s That Knocking at My Door* – to the production of his latest movie, *Killers of the Flower Moon* (also an Apple TV+ project).

The idea of a five-part documentary series on Martin Scorsese initially felt perfect, especially with a whole episode devoted to his early life and the origins of his films. Each episode promised to delve deep into his iconic works like *Mean Streets* and *Raging Bull*, exploring the making of those films, the chaotic creation of *New York, New York*, and the controversies surrounding *The Last Temptation of Christ* and *Taxi Driver*. However, by the fourth episode, the series had only reached *Casino*. A large portion of that episode focused on *Goodfellas*, while other films from the 90s – like *Kundun*, *Cape Fear*, and *Bringing Out the Dead* – were barely mentioned. This raises concerns about whether the final hour will be enough time to cover nearly three decades of Scorsese’s career, including over a dozen films and documentaries. It quickly becomes clear that a commitment to in-depth analysis fades as the series progresses – *Hugo*, for example, isn’t mentioned at all. This leads one to wonder if Apple TV+ imposed time constraints, or if the filmmaker simply lost interest in Scorsese’s later work. The final episode heavily focuses on Leonardo DiCaprio’s collaborations with Scorsese, leaving even a significant film like *The Irishman* feeling rushed. The only work that receives adequate attention is *The Last Waltz*, with only a brief nod to how *George Harrison: Living in the Material World* connects to Scorsese’s interest in religion. The series does a real disservice to Scorsese’s musical interests – it’s hard to believe Michael Jackson’s “Bad” is barely acknowledged.

Throughout the series, Miller focuses on the contrasting ideas of “saint” and “sinner” and how Martin Scorsese embodies both. A strength of her work is the willingness of those she interviewed – including Scorsese himself – to openly discuss his imperfections alongside his talents. The most compelling parts of the series come from personal accounts, like those from Scorsese’s children, who describe how his personality has changed over time. Stories from childhood friends and insights from frequent collaborators – including Thelma Schoonmaker, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Mick Jagger – as well as former partners like Isabella Rossellini, add further depth and nuance.

The new documentary, *Mr. Scorsese*, naturally includes a lot of admiration, with younger filmmakers like Ari Aster and the Safdie brothers enthusiastically discussing his impact. While contemporaries like Spike Lee mostly share anecdotes and provide historical background, the film largely presents Martin Scorsese as both a brilliant artist and a good person. However, the documentary seems to overlook the fact that even admirable figures can have a dark side, a theme consistently explored in his own films over the last fifty years.

For me, the most captivating parts of the Scorsese documentary aren’t when he’s pondering the meaning of life, but when he’s simply *showing* how he makes movies. Seeing his old storyboards come to life, or listening to him break down a shot and explain how he directs actors – that’s where you really see his passion and deep understanding of cinema shine. It’s clear how much this art form means to him, even when the documentary doesn’t fully explore all his incredible work, like his film preservation efforts. While it could definitely be longer and delve deeper, Rebecca Miller has given us something more than just a typical ‘making of’ doc. It’s a genuine and heartfelt tribute to the man and his amazing films.

Mr. Scorsese premieres Friday, October 17th on Apple TV+.

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2025-10-16 02:58