5) Gangs of New York (2002)
The first of many collaborations between Scorsese and actor Leonardo Di Caprio, Gangs of New York is set in 1863 and tells the story of a young man seeking revenge on the crime boss who killed his father, all the while dealing with the political corruption and restless nature of 19th century New York City. The set design and the costumes in this film give it a truly unique look, while Michael Ballhaus' cinematography is spell-bounding at times. However, the movie's main strength lies in the powerful performances given by its lead actors, particularly Daniel Day Lewis. Taking on the role of crime boss Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, Lewis is absolutely terrifying in this role, combining the murderous rage of a savage and deadly gangster with the slimy sophistication of a politician, and his chemistry with fellow lead Di Caprio gives us some of the film's best and strangely tender moments. While some imperfections (such as Cameron Diaz' performance and a lacklustre finale) prevent it from placing higher on this list, Gangs of New York is a large and ambitious production that deserves to be remembered as one of Scorsese's best.
4) Casino (1995)
While not as universally acclaimed as Scorsese's other gangster film starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci yet to feature on this list, Casino is a very entertaining movie in its own right, offering something completely different to its predecessor. Highly stylised, Casino shows us both the glitz and the glamour of Las Vegas with a cast of very human characters. What Casino achieves is a certain sense of razzmatazz combined with Scorsese's signature grit, and that is what makes this film stand out. Sharon Stone is the stand out of a star studded cast, more than holding her own as ex-prostitute Ginger McKenna in what may prove to be the best performance of her career, Basic Instinct aside. Anything but a Goodfellas remake, Casino is a great film in his own right and deserves more critical recognition than it otherwise receives.
3) The Departed (2006)
Remembered by many as the film which won Scorsese his first Academy Award for Best Director, The Departed is the best film Scorsese has made since the dawn of the 21st century. Dark and gritty, the film features more memorable performances than I could possibly list here, however the best of the bunch comes, in my opinion, from "The Shining" star Jack Nicholson, who is completely believable as gang boss Frank Costello, milking everything he can out of his scenes the way that only he can. Nicholson is no spring chicken and, with age now catching up with the 78 year old, it look likely that this will go down as his last truly great acting performance. However, what makes The Departed truly stand out from Scorsese's other work is the dynamic plot which, with its constant twists and turns, keeps the viewer glued to the screen throughout. Storytelling done right, this polished production will be remembered as a modern classic, earning itself a spot on this list.
2) Taxi Driver (1976)
In terms of the themes it tackles, the philosophical ideas it puts forward and indeed it's technical execution, Taxi Driver is a near perfect movie. The neo-noir flick is by far the best character study of Scorsese's career, following ex-marine Travis Bickle as he descends into severe depression, disgusted with the society he lives in and the corruption within it. Bickle is an extremely complex character, more of an anti-hero than a straight up protagonist or villain, and leading man Robert Di Niro's performance is key to the success of this movie, having to show his vast range throughout. Controversial and divisive, Taxi Driver is a film that you will either love or hate. Personally, I feel Taxi Driver has a timeless appeal to it, with the ideas it presents and its commentary on the nature of society being concepts that are just as valid today as they were at the time of the film's release. Though very dark, it is a film with a lot of important things to say and, in my opinion, any film who's ending is still being discussed and debated forty years later is worthy of being mentioned as, not only one of the best of Martin Scorsese's career, but one of the greatest movies of all time.
1) Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is a masterpiece. Pure and simple. Beautifully paced, the gangster flick explores the life of Henry Hill over his thirty years as part of the Mafia. The plot is almost Shakespearean, at first almost romanticising the idea of being part of the mob, before we witness the gradual downfall of the organisation with little fanfare or fuss. Joe Pesci bagged himself an Oscar for his portrayal of underling Tommy DeVito, in what will ultimately be remembered as one of the most iconic performances of modern cinema. The rest of the cast also shine bright, but Pesci's performance is so charismatic and easily identifiable that he steals every single scene he is in. The soundtrack is great. The camera work is spectacular. The production design is flawless. The dialogue is memorable. I could list oh so many reasons why Goodfellas is as good as it is. Is it the best gangster movie of all time? That's a list for another day, but what I can say is that this gem of a film is by far the greatest that Martin Scorsese has ever made and, considering his filmography, that is a very high honour indeed. If you haven't seen it, go watch it now.
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