Summary of Scorsese's Men: Melancholia and the Mob by Mark Nicholls

Dive into the complexities of masculinity and melancholia in Scorsese's films with Mark Nicholls as your guide through this cinematic exploration.

Welcome to the wild, whimsical world of Martin Scorsese's cinematic universe! In Scorsese's Men: Melancholia and the Mob, Mark Nicholls takes us on a joyride through the films of the legendary director, exposing the plethora of macho men who traipse through his films like they own the place (spoiler alert: they often don't).

Nicholls is on a mission, my friends, to dissect not just the characters, but also the intricate relationship between melancholia and mob life in Scorsese's works. Think of it as a therapy session for characters that clearly need one. Honestly, there must've been a discount on leather jackets in the 70s and 80s, because these dudes are everywhere-strutting around with their complex emotions that range from anger to, you guessed it, more anger!

The book dives into various Scorsese classics, so get ready for a nostalgia fest that feels like a family reunion, only with more existential crises and fewer awkward questions about why you're still single. From Mean Streets to Goodfellas to Casino, Nicholls examines the emotional undercurrents that bubble beneath the surface of these gangster films. If you thought it was all about the flashy cars and the glitz, think again! There's melancholy lurking behind every poorly timed punchline and every ill-fated heist.

We get to meet a parade of characters that would give any therapist a run for their money. There's the tormented anti-hero, the mobster with a heart of-well, not gold but maybe bronze?-and a choir of minor characters who seem to have just stepped off the set of a particularly dramatic soap opera. Each of these men is explored with the detail of a fine wine enthusiast at a tasting, and believe me, they all come with unique flavor notes of depression, anger, and regret.

But let's not forget about the backdrop: the mob. Oh dear, the mob! If you thought this was just about the family ties and loyalty, think again! Nicholls artfully constructs an argument that the mob isn't just a bunch of tough guys being tough; it's a well-organized emotional support group that specializes in emotional repression (with a side of violence, of course). The blending of personal despair and professional chaos makes for a heady cocktail-one that leaves the viewers both enthralled and somewhat confused about their own mental states.

By the end of it all, Nicholls concludes (and this is where we tread lightly if you haven't seen any of Scorsese's films) that Scorsese's men are all essentially echoing the same hymn: men don't talk about feelings; they talk about vendettas and poorly thought-out schemes! Who needs therapy when you can just rage against the dying of the light while driving a flashy car?

So, if you're looking to understand the broodiness of Scorsese's men while chuckling at the absurdity of it all, this book might just be your cup of-let's be honest, it's more like a shot of whiskey, neat. So grab that whiskey and delve deep into the psyche of these lovable (and sometimes not-so-lovable) film characters as Nicholls serves up a deliciously melancholic feast.

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.