Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2004)

One of the greatest films ever produced. A masterpiece. This movie assured Scorsese the status of being one of the single most important American artists in the history of cinema. This film is heavily influenced by the French Nouvelle Vague. Some cuts and shots are lifted from Truffaut's 'Jules et Jim' and Godard's 'A Bout de Souffle'. But Scorsese's own highly authentic voice assures the audience of a very unique viewing experience. It's almost unmeasurable how many filmmakers were directly influence by this film and his other work. I remember meeting Scorsese in Knokke-Le-Zoute in '68 when he won the Festival Award for his short 'The Big Shave'. He said half-jokingly that his filmwork would only ever be fully appreciated in Europe because he is so inspired by the European directors of the fifties and the sixties and shares their sensibilities. Unfortunately this predicament has been true. Martin Scorsese has been denied an Oscar his entire career but has won, since Knokke-Le-Zoute, every major award in Europe. The Academy should better hurry up and make up for their mistake! Give Marty that statue. And then give him another one! He's the best you've got!!