*📣 SPOILER KLAXON 🔊* for multiple Scorsese films but NOT for Killers of the Flower Moon, which I wrote about here. I. The Tragedy “I borrow money from you, because you're the only jerk-off around here who I can borrow money from without payin' back, right?”
This was a real pleasure to read, Ed! I don't know what it says about me, but I love the way Scorcese has charted "modern male isolation" over the years - perhaps it's because we're broody artistic types 😂 - definitely inspired to revisit some classic Scorcese now!
Maybe it's the Italian-American thing, but my Arthur Miller klaxon was going off - A View From the Bridge has a similar deluded protagonist Eddie Carbone, and its that delusion that ends up trapping everyone, such that when reality breaks through, it does so with a vengeance. Feels like a mega classical trope, no? The old Greek tragedy.
But, I loved this idea that you flesh out: that the single character's fictional reality isn't just about their self-delusion. It's that their delusion shapes the reality of those around them as well, a sort of societal poison that entraps everyone. That parallel you draw between Frank and Hoffa is just so perfect - their delusions are so symmetric! Reality forces Frank to make amends; reality forces Hoffa to pay the price. It's like the corruption of truth upsets the fabric of reality.
Wonderful writing and great subject matter, man. Loved the range. Loved the quotes. Loved the choice of those two bookended Bobby D pics!
This was a real pleasure to read, Ed! I don't know what it says about me, but I love the way Scorcese has charted "modern male isolation" over the years - perhaps it's because we're broody artistic types 😂 - definitely inspired to revisit some classic Scorcese now!
Maybe it's the Italian-American thing, but my Arthur Miller klaxon was going off - A View From the Bridge has a similar deluded protagonist Eddie Carbone, and its that delusion that ends up trapping everyone, such that when reality breaks through, it does so with a vengeance. Feels like a mega classical trope, no? The old Greek tragedy.
But, I loved this idea that you flesh out: that the single character's fictional reality isn't just about their self-delusion. It's that their delusion shapes the reality of those around them as well, a sort of societal poison that entraps everyone. That parallel you draw between Frank and Hoffa is just so perfect - their delusions are so symmetric! Reality forces Frank to make amends; reality forces Hoffa to pay the price. It's like the corruption of truth upsets the fabric of reality.
Wonderful writing and great subject matter, man. Loved the range. Loved the quotes. Loved the choice of those two bookended Bobby D pics!
Thanks for mentioning that there were no spoilers for KTFM at the top -- I still haven't seen it! That running time is making it hard for me 😬