Scorsese x4

Martin Scorsese, USA, 1963-1974, 75 minutes

A compilation of four short films by Martin Scorsese. We get two wacky Mel Brooks style comedies in the shape of It's Not Just You Murray! and What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? one piece of arty surrealism in The Big Shave and a documentary about Scorsese's parents in Italian American.

It may be reassuring for new film directors that Martin Scorsese's earlier work is as technically shaky as Cape Fear is assured. The two comedies are so quickly paced and full of cinematic tricks that it is hard to understand just what they are about. Things improve with The Big Shave which is very stylish and macabre - anyone who regularly cuts themselves shaving will appreciate it.

The best of the bunch is Italian American which although maybe a little too long, does make for interesting and often funny viewing - it's worth it just to see Scorsese hassled by his mum to go to the dentist. During the credits a recipe for her pasta appears - this received a standing ovation at Cannes.

All in all, very promising. If Marty keeps practising he could be a great director one day. Mrs Scorsese's Pasta recipe will be available in the foyer after the show.

Review by Alasdair Carnie
Taken from EUFS Programme 1992-93