Just A Shot Away Misses Mark

Mark Binelli spends considerable time detailing Martin Scorsese's drug habits, philandering, and chaotic personal life in his new biography of the legendary filmmaker. It may be accurate, but it often obscures the director's art.

There's much to admire about Scorsese's films and how they were made. There's also much to dislike about the turmoil of his personal life. But Binelli cannot help that the Scorsese of the 1970s and 1980s was a mess. He does, however, allow that chaos to bleed into the narrative. At times, the book becomes a chore to read.

That's frustrating because there are delightful parts. Binelli's descriptions of Scorsese's time at New York University and his deep knowledge of film history are excellent. He also does a wonderful job of showing how the culture of Scorsese's Little Italy neighborhood shaped many of the director's best films.

But these gems are often pushed into the shadows by Scorsese's excesses. For readers who enjoy a warts-and-all biography, the book will more than satisfy, but film fans may feel the author missed the mark.

I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley.