‘Mr. Scorsese’ Documentary: An Insightful Portrait
Director Rebecca Miller discusses with GQ how she created the ultimate tribute to Martin Scorsese, widely regarded as the greatest living filmmaker. The Apple TV+ documentary miniseries about Scorsese feels like a rare achievement, capturing key collaborators from his extensive career.
Notable Participants
- Robert De Niro
- Daniel Day-Lewis (Miller's husband)
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Robbie Robertson of The Band
- Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese’s longtime editor
- Margot Robbie
The only major absence was Joe Pesci, who declined to take part. Martin Scorsese himself contributed 20 hours of interviews.
Revealing and Honest Portrayal
The series offers remarkable candor, with Scorsese opening up about:
- His 1980s drug problems
- His struggles with faith
- Early experiences with the mob
- Complex relationships with his daughters
- His wife Helen Morris’s battle with Parkinson’s disease
It also provides a lively behind-the-scenes look at the creation of iconic films like GoodFellas, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Raging Bull.
Rebecca Miller said, “I think to spend such a long time talking to this artist—it's like you are learning about his life, but you're also learning about film and all the films that influenced him. So there was almost like a going to graduate school quality about it.”
This documentary stands out as a unique and delightful exploration of Scorsese’s life and work, offering both fans and cinephiles a richly detailed perspective.
Summary: Rebecca Miller’s documentary offers an intimate and lively look at Martin Scorsese’s life, struggles, and legendary career, making it a rare cinematic treasure.