Found a first-timer to watch this with, which was a joy for me (and him too).
I can see why so many people think this film glorifies violence. Maybe at a first glance, with absolutely no critical thought, one might come to that conclusion.
But what I find more interesting is the way the film pulls you in. First, the characters are kind of repulsive. These are a bunch of giant jerks who act like they own places and people. I wouldn’t want to be their friends.
But then that one-shot hits you. As they walk through the restaurant on that date, the male fantasy completely takes over. The one-shot is hugely immersive, but it succeeds at a much more visceral level: for that period of time, you’re on the date too, and you’re wandering through the kitchen without a second glance, saying hi to everybody, getting special treatment, and cutting the line to a front row seat. You’re in the fantasy.
And just like that, it suckers you in. Scorsese spends the next two hours attempting to pull at the threads of the fantasy, and maybe not even to tear it down — just as an examination and a deconstruction. Obviously this lifestyle is bad. This whole thing ends poorly. Crime doesn’t pay. (But on the other hand, it ends in the suburbs with a house that’s bought and paid for by the USA, so who’s laughing now?)
I genuinely think the one-shot is the heart of the whole movie. It’s the hook. It’s been technically beaten, but never viscerally topped. It’s the first thing people mention when the credits roll.
“That one-shot was really impressive,” my friend said without a moment’s hesitation. He paused for a moment before adding: “It didn’t even look like they faked it.”
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Saw the 4K version on iTunes. Wasn’t a huge fan, especially of the sound quality. Was the voiceover always this loud and the rest of the film that compressed? I no longer have my Blu-ray, but I might have to see if I can find a used copy somewhere.