The Films of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro

August 16, 2010
Can there ever be enough written about the emotionally fraught and visceral work of cinema legends Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro? For fans who've snapped up biographies of the distinguished director and his first celebrated muse, not to mention special DVD collections of their films, the answer is no, never. Rausch (Reflections on Blaxploitation) presents a thorough and enthusiastic examination of the eight movies on which Scorsese and De Niro collaborated, from Raging Bull, often said to be the best film of the ‘80s, to the underappreciated The King of Comedy, to the lackluster Casino. With insight into their collaboration and breezy behind-the-scenes accounts, Rausch explores the dynamics of their partnership, notably Scorsese's instinct for improvisation and De Niro's Method immersion. Blow-by-blow plot descriptions of each film go into startling detail, and although Rausch didn't speak personally with either Scorsese or De Niro, he edits previously published interviews well, and gleans great insights from the conversations he did have with many of the duo's colleagues.

May 15, 2010
Martin Scorsese's work has been the focus of multiple books in recent years, but his matchless relationship with Robert De Niro has not received the same level of study. Unfortunately, Rausch's ("Turning Points in Film History") attempt to fill this void is largely unsuccessful. Eight chapters discuss the films they made together, but half of each chapter contains a complete plot summary that offers little analysis. Anyone choosing to read this book would likely be already familiar with these films; for others, a full synopsis could ruin the eventual viewing experience. The other half of each chapter is a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the filmmaking process; these are fascinating and well written, but their impact is lessened by superfluous information. VERDICT While this is an enjoyable read, the price is high and there is not enough original insight to recommend it to anyone but particularly focused film students or Scorsese completists.Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA

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