In Defense of Martin Scorsese (Show Some Respect!)

In Defense of Martin Scorsese (Show Some Respect!)

by Karenna Umscheid

One of the first movies that I truly, deeply, unequivocally fell in love with was Goodfellas. Though I consider myself fairly open-minded, there is nothing that could stop me from loving Goodfellas, or Martin Scorsese films in general for that matter. Goodfellas spins the American love for mafia films like The Godfather and older 1930s films as well. Scorsese depicts the rise and fall of a mafioso’s dream, of a kid enamored with rumors and spells of what the mafia life may hold, what it looks like when you capture it, and when it all falls apart. The unquenchable thirst for greed can be such a drag! Such is the thesis of many of Scorsese’s films. Goodfellas, all in all, is Catholic-faithful, glamorous, fascinating storytelling. It’s a surefire measuring point for the rest of Scorsese’s filmography. 

One of Scorsese’s most “controversial” films, so to speak, could be his 2013 gluttony and greed-filled extravaganza The Wolf of Wall Street. I find The Wolf of Wall Street to be fatally misunderstood. Scorsese makes a big show out of the capitalistic nightmare that America is, and like in Goodfellas, puts us through the perspective of someone experiencing it. Without taking a critical look at it, I understand how The Wolf of Wall Street appears to glorify capitalism, and all the delicious opportunities it offers.

But looking at it critically, it should appear disgusting. Jordan Belfort is revolting, proven by Leonardo DiCaprio’s hilarious, cringeworthy performance and the sheer maximalist nightmare he bathes in. Just because Scorsese depicts this doesn’t mean he appears at the front of the film to let everyone know he blindly supports it and they should too. We shouldn’t make this assumption when we watch any movie – we should always watch with a critical eye; just because something bad is depicted in a movie doesn’t mean that said movie, or the filmmaker, gives their stamp of approval to this immoral thing.

Scorsese’s filmography as context is also worth noting – he doesn’t defend Henry Hill’s (Goodfellas, if you didn't know) plight, he merely depicts it with the same vantage point that any audience member would have towards being slowly indoctrinated into the mafia. The same goes for his other films, he’s not glorifying anything anyone in Casino does, he’s merely telling parables of greed and American capitalism through the people who orchestrate and manipulate those systems. 

Similarly, Scorsese has been the subject of recent Internet arguments, specifically that of his opinions towards the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe,’ and blockbuster movies as a whole. Recently, Scorsese was quoted pointing out the danger of comic book movies, saying “There are going to be generations now that think…that’s what movies are.” This quote has caused a firestorm of MCU fans on Twitter up in arms to defend their beloved superheroes who tragically misunderstand Scorsese’s point. Scorsese isn’t calling to abolish all MCU/comic book movies, but he instead is concerned about how these movies are pushing out independent, lesser-known films.

It’s extremely important to note that Martin Scorsese has done so much work to promote independent, international, and otherwise lesser-known films in the United States. Scorsese’s World Cinema Project aims to “preserve and present marginalized and infrequently screened films from regions generally ill-equipped to preserve their own cinema history.” He also created The Film Foundation, dedicated to “protecting and preserving motion picture history.” The foundation has restored 58 films from 30 different countries. Even if you don’t agree with his MCU opinion, there’s no reason to disregard all the work he has done for cinema as a whole. 

My aim is not for this to read like a hate message towards people who like the MCU. Rather, I implore those who do enjoy those movies to keep enjoying them but to watch them critically, as all movies should be watched. There is something to learn from every film, so dig down and try to understand what it’s saying and what it could be doing better. I understand that so many MCU fans adored the comics first, and I think that’s a beautiful thing. That doesn’t mean that there is no room for improvement and that we shouldn’t demand more or be critical of those productions and studios. 

The Wolf of Wall Street rocks. It’s a gluttonous, disgusting, money-laden extravaganza that is thrilling and sickening, a true expanse into the hell on earth that capitalism has allowed us to become. Martin Scorsese is simply a genius, and if his filmography doesn’t already speak for itself, let all the work he’s done for cinema as a whole do so. His main characters often disturb and/or horrify me to no end, as does humanity, for the works that we inspire. There is so much in cinema for us to learn from, let us keep pushing and learning. 

So watch movies critically. Don’t take anything at the surface level. And, show Martin Scorsese the respect he deserves — please. 

The Wolf of Wall Street screens at the Kendall Square Landmark Cinema on October 14, 15, and 18, 2023. 

Until next time, 

Karenna

Photograph: NBC News