Apple TV new docu-series Mr. Scorsese debuts with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score 

Martin Scorsese has spent his career educating others on how to view and interpret films. A new five-part Apple TV+ docuseries is now allowing viewers to reverse the camera and observe the master behind the works. Directed by Rebecca Miller, called Mr. Scorsese, the series offers a penetrating and affecting examination of Scorsese's life, his artistic process, and the autobiographical threads that run through all of his films.

The series has had a stunning premiere; it now boasts a flawless 100% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Such a score is not common, particularly for a documentary series, and demonstrates just how well-received the show has been.

But the acclaim is not simply for its subject. Critics applaud the way Mr. Scorsese weaves together uncommon archival footage, candid interviews with his longtime collaborators, and a balanced examination of the director himself. It's not a tribute or a history lesson; it's an intimate, candid portrait of one of the all-time greatest storytellers in the movies.

Mr. Scorsese is more than a biography

What makes Mr. Scorsese different from a typical documentary is the way it's constructed. Director Rebecca Miller obtained access to Martin Scorsese's personal papers and interviewed him and the people he's worked with over the course of many years. The story isn't told chronologically but constructed as pieces of a puzzle revealed in slow motion, gradually disclosing the bigger picture.

The show includes old home movies shot in vintage settings, behind-the-scenes footage from the set, editors recalling late nights on set, and actors explaining how Scorsese brought out the best in them. Some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Steven Spielberg, appear in it to tell what working for him is like.

Mr. Scorsese is part master class on making films and part personal interview. It is a celebration of the life of Scorsese, as well as a tribute to the art of making great movies.

Why critics loved it

Critics are praising Mr. Scorsese for two reasons: restraint and closeness. Instead of being a grand tribute or a list of achievements, the series is introducing Martin Scorsese as a real man, talented but also rough-edged, obstinate at times, and deeply affected by what occurs around him.

Critics have deemed the show to be "cubist" in style, showing many facets of Scorsese all at once. That is used to explore his most favorite themes like guilt, religion, violence, and redemption without preaching about them.

Director Miller also deserves credit for not falling back on a linear timeline of Scorsese's classic movies. Instead, she uses anecdotes, quotes, and footage from his movies to show how his vision and style developed over the years. The result is something akin to an epic chat with a cinephile who loves movies and is not unwilling to ask big, ethical questions. It's this blend of technical knowledge and emotional honesty that's earning the series such good reviews.

What this documentary means for Martin Scorsese’s legacy

A 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating is impressive, but the larger story is how Mr. Scorsese brings the legendary director to contemporary streaming audiences. The series proves that Scorsese's work is not simply history but an ongoing dialogue about storytelling, collaboration, and the difficulties of filmmaking in Hollywood.

Enthusiasts will appreciate fresh takes on popular films, with previously unseen clips, anecdotes, and perspectives from his co-workers that impart newfound meaning to famous scenes. For those new to him, it's an ideal introduction: afterward, you'll crave revisiting his films with newfound interest.

Whether pondering Scorsese's themes of morality or indulging in the backstories of stars such as De Niro and DiCaprio, Mr. Scorsese is a testament to a legend in the flesh, and that's precisely why it's so highly sought after.

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