10 Martin Scorsese Characters, Ranked By Intelligence
Martin Scorsese makes some of America's most celebrated films. Some fans may not know Scorsese's career began with a flop before he became known as a master. However, part of the reason his engaging films became known as such is thanks to their interesting characters. The protagonists in his films are known for being tough, as showcased in movies dealing with edgy members of organized crime like Casino and Goodfellas.
However, the main characters in Scorsese films don't always prove to be the brightest. Some like Jordan Belfort show their lack of critical thinking based on their actions. Others like Sam "Ace" Rothstein use their wits to juggle multiple operations in their work and personal lives.
It is difficult to equate the intelligence of Edward Daniels in Shutter Island. The film presents one of Scorsese's most abstract films. Daniels is revealed as Andrew Laeddis at the end of the movie, and audiences realize the story they have seen has taken place in Laeddis' mind.
Laeddis isn't stupid, and his vibrant imagination makes up the many details audiences see on screen. However, since he cannot comprehend the real world around him, Laeddis can't be considered one of Scorsese's more intelligent characters. He doesn't know who he is, and his intellect suffers as a result.
Raging Bull is one of Scorcese's most critically acclaimed films. Jake LaMotta is a tragic character, and audiences sympathize with his story, despite LaMotta's violent aggression toward everyone he holds dear. However, his lack of critical thinking is put on display throughout the film.
LaMotta has a one-track mind for boxing and doesn't use his mind for much else. His paranoia and jealousy cloud his thoughts, leading him to believe his wife Vickie is cheating on him with his brother Joey, despite all signs pointing to the opposite. His mindless behavior lands him in jail and drives everyone close to him out of his life.
The Irishman is one of Scorsese's biggest budget movies. It presents the story of Frank Sheeran, a contract killer for a Pennsylvania organized crime family. Sheeran shows his smarts, like when he develops a scheme to steal meat from the delivery company he works for and sell it for a profit at the beginning of the film.
Sheeran isn't the least intelligent main character from Scorsese's films, but he proves to be less bright than some others. He doesn't think critically. He makes no plan to prevent himself from ending up behind bars following his final killing and proves his weak foresight as such.
Jordan Belfort shows his intelligence in his early actions in The Wolf of Wall Street but presents foolish behavior as the film continues. Belfort devises a plan to swindle investors by convincing them to buy worthless stock, making him rich with commission payments. His plan requires thoughtfulness and his deception is backed up by careful wordplay.
However, Belfort is too thick-headed to plan for an exit from his criminal lifestyle. He lacks the critical thinking to understand he will be prosecuted, developing no defense for himself. He is even foolish enough to try to bribe federal agents after being advised to stay away from them. Belfort's dim wits catch up with him by the film's finish.
Taxi Driver is one of Scorsese's most iconic films, and Travis Bickle is one of his most legendary protagonists. Bickle is showcased as a man without conventional intelligence, narrating his diary slowly as if to check for inevitable spelling errors. He lacks social wisdom, as best presented in his date with Betsy at an adult theater which makes her uncomfortable before she leaves.
However, Bickle is methodical. He recognizes he is unhappy and makes actions to improve his health and mind when he eliminates "destroyers of [his] body" from his diet. He develops a plan to save Iris Steensma from her controlling pimp and executes it thoughtfully. Bickle may be wrought with personal issues, but his sharp mind is displayed through his actions.
Goodfellas gives fans Scorsese's perhaps most loved mob movie. It follows the story of Henry Hill and his involvement in the world of organized crime between the 1960s and 1980s in New York. Henry lives a criminal life but doesn't act thoughtlessly.
Henry ultimately is caught by authorities by the end of the film. However, he covers his tracks and critically prepares for the pursuit by police up until his capture. Fans of the film know it is famously Judy Wicks who doesn't call him from an outside number against his instructions, leading Henry to be found out.
Some fans call Gangs of New York Scorsese's worst film, while others praise it. It presents the story of rival groups in New York City during the late 1800s. Amsterdam Vallon is the film's hero, and he shows off his wits from the beginning of the movie. He seeks revenge for his father's death against Bill the Butcher and decides to join his gang to do so.
Vallon proves his critical thinking in hiding his past from Vallon, manipulating him to get closer. However, Vallon proves his foolishness after he infiltrates Bill's gang. He is influenced by Bill's corruption, leading him to save Bill instead of seeking revenge when he has the chance. The short-sighted mistake results in Vallon's permanent scarring.
Audiences sometimes call The King of Comedy one of Scorsese's best non-gangster movies. The film showcases Robert Deniro in the unlikely role of aspiring comedian Rupert Pupkin. Pupkin is an outcast, and his lack of social skills leaves few people close to him. Pupkin isn't Scorcese's brightest character, and most of his plans for stardom aren't thoughtful.
However, Pupkin proves his brilliance in his outrageous final acts. He develops an all-or-nothing scheme to perform stand-up comedy on his favorite live TV show, and he pulls it off. He proves to be aware of the risks he takes but decides the consequences are worth the reward. He makes this clear with his iconic line, "better to be king for a night than a schmuck for a lifetime."
Billy Costigan is forced to think on his feet throughout The Departed. He takes on the stressful responsibility of infiltrating the world of organized crime in Boston as an undercover police officer. Billy is only able to blend in with the Irish mob due to his wits. He sees how the criminals he encounters behave and acts like them thanks to his sharp mind and attention to detail.
He even discovers that one of the police officers in his unit is helping criminals unbeknownst to the department. However, Billy fails to see the details of the operation which find reveal multiple people playing both sides. His mistakes leave him dead by the film's end.
Casino showcases protagonist Sam Rothstein. Rothstein is one of the smartest main characters in all of Scorsese's films. He uses his smarts to meticulously run one of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas, Tangiers. Furthermore, he simultaneously runs a criminal operation sending Midwestern organized crime a portion of the casino's profits.
Sam's critical thinking is clear throughout Casino. He is constantly thinking and uses his smarts to juggle his many responsibilities. Sam's mind is only clouded by his wife Ginger, who he can't realize steals from him, and is ultimately in love with her ex-boyfriend Lester Diamond. However, Sam's bright mind is exemplified in his free life at the film's end, while so many Scorsese protagonists end up dead or in jail.
Source: Screenrant
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