'Mr. Scorsese': a splendid docuseries to delve deeper into one of the great names of contemporary cinema

No other director in history has demonstrated his passion for cinema with such generosity Martin ScorseseThe person responsible for Taxi Driver He appears in countless tributes of all kinds dedicated to other filmmakers, and has directed two essential series on the subject, A personal journey with Martin Scorsese through American cinema (1995) and My trip to Italy (1999). He also heads The Film Foundation, an institution dedicated to the preservation of cinematic heritage, which has already restored more than 900 titles from around the world. Scorsese has spoken extensively about the filmmakers he admires. But we were missing a series that explained why he is a key figure, not only in cinema, but also in contemporary culture.

This is the purpose of Mr. ScorseseA five-episode docuseries directed by Rebecca Miller, the series leverages her close relationship with Scorsese to create what she describes in the credits as a "film portrait," a personal yet exhaustive study of the life and work of Martin Scorsese. The series is structured around a handful of intimate conversations with the director, interspersed with contributions from his collaborators, family, and closest colleagues. (Almost) all the big names are present. Actors and actresses such as Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jodie Foster, and Sharon Stone; screenwriters like Paul Schrader and Nicholas Pileggi; producers such as Irwin Winkler and Margaret Bodde (who acted as a liaison between Miller and Scorsese); and colleagues like Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma, and Spike Lee delve into the details of their personal and professional relationship, revealing little-known aspects of the making of some of their films. Mick Jagger even makes an appearance, discussing the unexpected use of Rolling Stones music in Scorsese's films. Casino or the late Robbie Robertson reminiscing about the wild times they shared a flat. Miller also invites old friends from Scorsese's childhood and youth, such as the man who inspired Johnny Boy from Mean Streetswhich help reconstruct the environment in which the director grew up and which is reflected in his most personal works. And the great Thelma Schoonmaker provides brief masterclasses on film editing such as Wild bull and One of ours

Many aspects of Scorsese's life and work explored in the series are already well-known to anyone familiar with the director's books and interviews. But it's more impactful that Scorsese himself explains the cocaine addiction that nearly ended his life, or that he confirms how the male characters in his films, who harbor a raw, dirty violence always on the verge of erupting, are a reflection of his own demons. The documentary avoids being a mere collection of anecdotes, memories, and praise, and instead seeks to reconstruct the life and emotional journey of its protagonist, always linked to the recurring themes in his work, such as his interest in spirituality and his ability to portray masculinity from various perspectives. The atmosphere of trust that Miller creates allows for addressing sensitive topics without resorting to sensationalism. The director gives space to former partners like Isabella Rossellini and his daughters Domenica and Cathy to explain the difficulties of sharing life with Scorsese during the most challenging periods of his career. She also portrays the director's relationship with his current wife and Francesca's mother, Helen, who has suffered from Parkinson's disease for years. Profound, humane, and edited in a highly engaging way, Martin Scorsese now has the docuseries a director of his stature deserves.